It’s fifty years since Jarno Saarinen became 250cc World Champion and to recognise this fact, alongside honouring his all-round racing achievements, Imatranajo will now be known as the Jarno Saarinen Circuit Imatra.
This is a fitting tribute to not only one of Finland’s greatest motorsport personalities but also one of Grand Prix racing’s most revered, respected competitors.
Speaking about this via the official Imatranajo website, Imatranajo organiser Martti Solja stated:
“We held a meeting together with the Motorclub Imatra and Imatranajo ltd and thought what better way to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Saarinen’s world title, than to rename the track after the most successful Finnish road racer ever.
Naturally we first contacted Saarinen’s widow Soili Karme, and as she had a positive reaction to the idea, we then contacted the Imatra town government.
The mayor of Imatra Ari Lindeman was as happy about the idea as Soili, so the progress from then on was very easy.”
Reminder Imatranajo hosts the second round of this year’s IRRC series, with qualifying, racing taking place from the 1st-3rd of July.
Quotes via Imatranajo official website
Photo credit Pekka Varis
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou