The Mini Cooper first entered the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in 1960 – a mere six months after the car started rolling off the production line. Although designed by Alec Issigonis as the ultimate people’s car, rally drivers soon became aware of the Mini’s amazing handling ability and quickly recognised its racing potentional.
The Cooper’s first Monte Carlo win came in 1964, superbly driven to victory by Paddy Hopkirk. Proving that win was far from a fluke, Timo Mäkinen repeated the feat the following year – despite some appalling driving conditions in the snow and ice-bound Alps. In 1966, with the Mini hot favourite to gain a hat-trick of victories, Mäkinen and Hopkirk – together with Rauno Aaltonen in another Cooper – thrilled fans when they finished first, second and third. But joy quickly turned to disbelief when, all three cars were disqualified.