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Kari Tiainen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kari Tiainen (born 26 August 1966 in Riihimäki) is a Finnish former professional enduro rider. He competed in the World Enduro Championships from 1989 to 2003. Tiainen is notable for being a seven-time World Enduro Champion and held the record for most wins in the world championship (77), until the record was broken by compatriot Juha Salminen during the 2008 season.[1] In 2012, Tiainen was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.[2]

Motorcycle racing career

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Tiainen has also participated in several national championships, becoming a four-time German and two-time Finnish and Spanish champion. In addition to his personal world titles, he has won the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) World Trophy for Finland in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2003. He was the fastest rider in the 500 cc class in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999. In 1999, he also drove for Finland in the Race of Champions, alongside Tommi Mäkinen and JJ Lehto, and the team won the Nations' Cup.

Originally a motocross rider, Tiainen switched to enduro in 1989 and finished fourth in the European championship. The world championship was started the following year, and he took his first title with Suzuki in the 250 cc class. For the following year, he switched to Husqvarna and successfully defended his title. Tiainen then moved to the biggest 500 cc class, winning the title with Husqvarna in 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1997, and with KTM in 2000. From 1990 to 2000, even during the seasons that he finished runner-up, he led his class in the number of wins. The 2001 season, during which he finished third behind Anders Eriksson and Mika Ahola, was Tiainen's last full season in the world championship. After his racing career, Tiainen continued with KTM as the team principal from 2003 to 2005.[3] In 2011, Tiainen became the team principal for Ice 1 Racing, Kimi Räikkönen's team in the Motocross World Championship.[4]

Career summary

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Season Series Class Team Races Wins Final placing
1989 European Enduro Championship 250 cc Suzuki 12 2 4th
1990 World Enduro Championship 250 cc Suzuki 14 6 1st
1991 World Enduro Championship 250 cc Husqvarna 16 8 1st
1992 World Enduro Championship 500 cc Husqvarna 12 5 1st
1993 World Enduro Championship 500 cc Husqvarna 14 7 2nd
1994 World Enduro Championship 500 cc Husqvarna 12 5 1st
1995 World Enduro Championship 500 cc Husqvarna 12 9 1st
1996 World Enduro Championship 500 cc Husqvarna 12 6 2nd
1997 World Enduro Championship 500 cc KTM 14 8 1st
1998 World Enduro Championship 500 cc KTM 14 8 2nd
1999 World Enduro Championship 500 cc KTM 14 7 2nd
2000 World Enduro Championship 500 cc KTM 10 7 1st
2001 World Enduro Championship 500 cc KTM 10 1 3rd
2002 World Enduro Championship 500 cc KTM 6 0 11th
2003 World Enduro Championship 250 cc KTM 2 0 19th

ISDE

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Season Location Class Team Final placing
1989 Germany Walldürn, Germany Junior Trophy Finland 1st
1990 Sweden Västerås, Sweden World Trophy Finland 2nd
1991 Czechoslovakia Považská Bystrica, Czechoslovakia World Trophy Finland 11th
1993 Netherlands Assen, Netherlands World Trophy Finland 10th
1994 United States Tulsa, United States World Trophy Finland 5th
1995 Poland Jelenia Góra, Poland World Trophy Finland 3rd
1996 Finland Hämeenlinna, Finland World Trophy Finland 1st
1997 Italy Brescia, Italy World Trophy Finland 2nd
1998 Australia Traralgon, Australia World Trophy Finland 1st
1999 Portugal Coimbra, Portugal World Trophy Finland 1st
2000 Spain Granada, Spain World Trophy Finland 18th
2001 France Brive-la-Gaillarde, France World Trophy Finland 16th
2003 Brazil Fortaleza, Brazil World Trophy Finland 1st
2008 Greece Serres, Greece World Trophy Finland 5th

References

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  1. ^ "Salminen ajoi enduron MM-historiaa Walesissa". MTV3 (in Finnish). 19 July 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
  2. ^ "FIM Legends" (PDF). fim-live.com. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "Kari Tiainen, Mr. Enduro". Suomen Moottoriurheilumuseo (in Finnish). Retrieved 24 October 2008.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Kimi Räikkönen perusti tallin motocrossin MM-sarjaan". MTV3 (in Finnish). 2 February 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by
Inaugural event
Race of Champions
Nations' Cup

1999 with:
JJ Lehto
Tommi Mäkinen
Succeeded by