One of the top 10 rally drivers of all time Hannu Mikkola died of cancer aged 78 on Saturday, reported AFP, quoting his sons and the World Rally Championship.

Known as ‘Flying Finn,’ the Ford and Audi driver won the coveted World Rally Championship in 1983 and Finland’s notoriously unnerving 1000 Lakes Rally seven times. A World Rally Championship spokesperson told AFP, “Yes, this sad news is correct.”

Also read: What’s in it for Saudi Arabia in world’s richest race, hit by COVID-19

Vesa Mikkola, one of the driver’s two sons said, “We lost my father Hannu to cancer this weekend. Most knew him as a rallying great who ushered in the golden years of the sports. To me he was dad – and an incredible one at that.”

Several racing veterans like World Rally champions Carlos Sainz, Sebastien Ogier and Petter Solberg mourned his death.

Also read: LeBron James to Ibrahimovic: ‘I am the wrong guy to go at’

 Juha Mikkola, his other son said, “Heart warming to see the posts remembering my dad. Most knew Hannu Mikkola as a rally driver; I’ll remember him as an amazing husband to my mom Arja, father to Vesa and me, and grandfather.”

He added, “Thank you for everything dad, you set an incredible example for us to follow in life.”

Starting his career at Volvo, Mikkola won his first World Rally Championship race in a Ford Escort and secured his only championship with Audi, his Quattro ushering in the four-wheel drive revoltion.

He came close to winning his first title several years earlier, finishing runner-up to Bjorn Waldegard in 1979 and Walter Rohrl the following year.

The Finnish driver later joined Mazda before he retired professionally from motorsport in 1993, with a career total of 18 wins on the WRC stage, the last coming in Kenya in 1987.

2003 world champion Solberg said in a tweet, “Really sad to hear the news about Hannu Mikkola – he was a legend, a proper gentleman, a real Champion, and a great father to great kids. Sending all my condolences to his family and friends. RIP.”