Flying on Gravel: The Tommi Mäkinen Rally Story

By Etienne Psaila

Tommi M kinen was never the loudest man in the service park-but he was often the fastest. With four consecutive World Rally Championship titles and 24 career wins, the quiet Finnish driver etched his name into motorsport history through calm precision and fierce determination. Flying on Gravel is the definitive tribute to M kinen's legendary career, chronicling his rise from the frozen roads of Puuppola to the heights of the WRC podium and later, to team principal glory with Toyota.

This meticulously researched biography traces M kinen's full motorsport journey-from his formative years on ice-covered roads, to his golden era with Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution program, to his influential second act building a title-winning WRC team for Toyota. Through detailed chapters and behind-the-scenes insights, readers discover how M kinen helped shape rallying across two generations-both as a champion driver and a masterful team builder.

With commentary from rivals, engineers, and journalists, this book offers a rare look into the philosophy, discipline, and legacy of one of the sport's true greats. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering his story for the first time, Flying on Gravel captures the enduring impact of a man who let his driving do the talking.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1923472720
• ISBN13: 9781923472723
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 130 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"