Kari's  news

30.3.2009 WEC Spain
BMW's Official newletter

23.3.2009 WEC Season opener
Photos
BMW's Official newletter

12.8.2008 Kari is member of Finnish ISDE Trophy team 

Finnish teams 

Trophy: Jari Mattila (Honda), Roni Nikander (KTM), Juha Salminen (KTM), Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg), Marko Tarkkala (KTM), Kari Tiainen (BMW). Reserve: Antti Hellsten (Husqvarna).

Junior Trophy: Antti Hellsten (Husqvarna), Oskari Kantonen (KTM), Olli Turma (KTM), Jari Pulkkinen (Honda). Reserve Lauri Salonen (Honda).

24.4.08 Kari third in Andalusian Cross Country race
Kari rode his first race with BMW 450cc. It was also his first race in this year.

Andalusia Cross Country
24.4.2008
ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE (MÁLAGA), 

Sctratch
1. CRISTÓBAL GUERRERO	YAMAHA	2:41:00.874
2. FRANCISCO CUADRADO	HONDA	  +4:57.200
3. KARI TIAINEN		BMW	  +5:44.671


Standing after 3/6 

1. FRANCISCO CUADRADO 	HONDA	69
2. DIEGO GARCÍA		KTM	55
3. SALVADOR JIMÉNE	TM	48
13.KARI TIAINEN		BMW	20

Andalucian Enduro points
1. JESÚS GARCÍA	DUARTE	22	22	20	22	22	108
2. CRISTÓBAL GUERRERO	0	25	25	25	25	100
3. CARLOS LAZO TRUFERO	18	16	16	15	16	81
9. KARI	TIAINEN		0	0	22	20	0	42

Andalusian enduro
Results 8.12.2007
1. CRISTÓBAL GUERRERO 	YAMAHA	32:11.82 25
2. JESÚS DUARTE 	KTM	 +0:43.60
3. KARI TIAINEN		KTM	 +2:03.06

Reults 2.12.2007
Class A
1. KARI TIAINEN		KTM   2:46:41	-
2. FRANCISCO BARBERO	Honda		+5:47
3. SALVADOR JIMÉNEZ	Beta		+9:52

4.11.2007 Benahavis, Kari 2nd 
Andalusian Championship race, Cross Country 2 h 30min

Results

13.10.2007 Spanish Championship race, Luintra

Overall

30.9.2007 Spanish Championship race, Guadalajara

Overall

20.9.2007 Back to races

Kari has started his practice for the autumn's races. He has been very busy, because the workshop opening will happen very soon and also safaris' season is ready to start. See more www.exdreames.com

23.4.2006 Exdreames

Kari will soon start to offer Safaris in Finland. He will work together with his old friend Jyri "Jerky" Tongan. Jerky's company is  MotoJyskyn. It has facilities to have safaris and training in Loppi, (near Riihimäki) and Saariselkä (very North Finland).

Kari will start to train riders and also have Enduro Safaris in Spain in autumn.

Kari is also working to have riders taking part to GNCC race in USA on  24.9.2006. The idea is to have training in Finland and test race and then GNCC race in USA. 

There are also plans to have some Finnish rider trained by Kari in Dakar rally. 

More information about these ideas are coming soon. 

23.4.2006 Riding in Spain

Kari will take part to Spanish Championship and also other smaller races during this year.

Kari is leading E3 class by for points after the third race. The first race was big surprise also for Kari. - It is really nice to see that my speed is still at the good level. To have competition with Ivan Cervantes and Gristobal Guerrero is a level were many rider can not be, said Kari.

The second race was not so good as the first one. - In a stony section I rode throw stone. My bike stopped there and I felt down. Luckily I did not broke my bike, told Kari. 

Kari had problem with his back already before the race. It means problems in riding. - The difference to first place was only 5 second and I was going to have good ride in last lap. But I rode throw corner and crashed. Without it.., but it happens, said Kari. 

Kari won also Andalusia Championship  and GNCC races in Estepona   

23.4.2006 La Pobla Tornesa
Spanish Championship
Overall
1. Ivan Cervantes	E1 	KTM 	
2. Xavier Galindo	E2	KTM 	
3. Cristobal Guerrero	E2  	GAS GAS
4. Xacob Agra		E2 	YAMAHA 	
5. Miki Arpa 		E3  	Husqvarna
6. Oriol Mena 		E3  	KTM
7. Kari Tiainen		E3 	KTM

2.4.2006 Los Navalmorales
Spanish Championship
Overall
1. Ivan Cervantes	E1 	KTM 	40:23,76
2. Xavier Galindo	E2	KTM 	+0:17,42
3. Cristobal Guerrero	E2  	GAS GAS	+0:30,17
4. Arnau Vilanova	E1 	YAMAHA	+0:46,76
5. Xacob Agra		E2 	YAMAHA 	+1:03,73
6. Kari Tiainen		E3 	KTM  	+1:04,33
7. Oriol Mena 		E3  	KTM	+1:38,46
8. Miki Arpa 		E3  	Husqvarna+1:43,21

12.3.2006 
Andalucia Championship
Overall 
1. Kari Tiainen, KTM   23min30sec 
2. Francisco Cuadrado, Cas Cas  +52.96 
3. Alberto Zamprana, KTM  +1.20.51 
4. David Zamprana, KTM  +1.21.90 
5. Oskar Jiminez, KTM  +1.52.75 

5.3.2006 Sitges
Spanish Champion
Overall

1.  Guerrero, Cristobal	28'43.50
2.  Cervantes, Ivan	+05.66
3.  Tiainen, Kari	+29.98
4.  Vilanova, Arnau	+39.69
5.  Mena, Oriol		+41.93
6.  Agra, Xacob		+45.98
7.  Puigdemont, Xavier	+52.01
8.  Llobet, Daniel	+1:15.33
9.  Jou, Joan		+1:17.00
10.Puigdemont, Marc	+1:17.00

Official results 

28.8.2005 Juha and Samuli signed contracts with KTM

Samuli Aro continues with KTM

Samuli Aro, KTM ace and current leader in Enduro World Championship E2 class with 71 points stays with KTM Racing team also for seasons 2006 and 2007. Samuli has won two World Championship titles and has been a vital part of Finnish national enduro team taking four Team World Championship titles. He will sign the contract today with KTM`s head of Sports, Kurt Nicoll who arrived to Finland for signing straight from Moto GP race in Brno. Aro has been racing for KTM since 2003 and is really happy to continue with the team he knows the best.

- I got some good offers from other teams as well, but in the end the final decision was quite easy to make. I want to continue with the winning team also in the future and KTM has always taken very good care of me. KTM motorcycles have proven their competiveness and I believe that they will have the best bikes in the future as well. I like the atmosphere in the team and I have a brilliant mechanic.

Juha Salminen returns to Enduro World Championship series 2007

Eleven (11) time enduro World Champion Juha Salminen returns back to Europe. Juha is at the moment racing for KTM in the USA and is leading GNCC series by amazing 62 points. He will continue one more season in the USA and GNCC series. Juha has has been with KTM since 1998 and has never raced for other team. Salminen went to USA this year and has adopted very well to a new kind of racing. The beginning of the season has been a lot better than expected and he can secure his first USA title already before the serie ends. Juha has not only won eleven individual titles, but has also four Team World Championship and one Junior Team WEC title.

- I wanted to sign already now to end the speculations of my future. Having done this now helps me to concentrate to capture the GNCC titles 2005/2006. Coming back to Europe is natural continuation to my career and was planned even before signing with KTM USA. Most of the World Championship races are in Europe and that heps me to stay more home with my family. KTM has always been very good to me and their future plans convinced me to stay with the winning package. I am very happy and l look forward to race in Europe again.

14.11.2004 Juha won Barcelona 6th Indoor Enduro

Results

29.10.2004 Third in Red Bull roManiacs Hard Enduro

The result stays without changes after today's final test. - It was really extreme enduro today. We rode inside old factory going up stairs, told Kari
The race will be good after the pushing parts of the race are removed. The view was very beautiful in mountains. - I have been in many races but this was something new also for me, told Kari 

Kari do not have any plans to race after this. - Dakar - rally is out of my plans. After Richard Sainct's accident I promised to my daughter that I will not take part to Dakar, told Kari.

28.10.2004 Red Bull roManiacs Hard Enduro

Results after fourth day
1.Cyril Despress		FRA	KTM	 22:37:31
2.Bartoz Oblucki		POL	Yamaha	 +0:31:32
3.Kari Tiainen		FIN	KTM	 +1:27:01
4.Alfie Cox		RSA	KTM	 +2:08:39
5.Jean Nerva		FRA	KTM	 +4:26:38

27.10.2004 Red Bull roManiacs Hard Enduro

Results after third day
1.Cyril Despress		FRA	KTM	 18:26:54
2.Bartoz Oblucki		POL	Yamaha	 +0:36:27
3.Kari Tiainen		FIN	KTM	 +1:18:53
4.Alfie Cox		RSA	KTM	 +1:51:01
5.Jean Nerva		FRA	KTM	 +3:57:06

26.10.2004 Red Bull roManaics Hard Enduro

Results after second day
1.Cyril Despress		FRA	KTM	  
2.Bartoz Oblucki		POL	Yamaha	 +0:15:20
3.Kari Tiainen		FIN	KTM	 +0:23:17
4.Alfie Cox		RSA	KTM	 +1:01:05

25.10.2004 Red Bull roManaics Hard Enduro

Results after first day
1.Cyril Despress		FRA	KTM	  6:15:36
2.Bartoz Oblucki		POL	Yamaha	 +0:14:26
3.Kari Tiainen		FIN	KTM	 +0:21:23
4.Alfie Cox		RSA	KTM	 +0:53:50
5.Thomas Gunther		GER	Husaberg +1:13:43
6.Erich Brandauer		AUT	Husaberg +1:15:47
7.Jean Nerva		FRA	KTM	 +1:32:38
8.Christian Pfeiffer	GER	Gas Gas	 +1:58:01
9.Simo Kirssi		FIN	Yamaha	 +2:06:53

24.7.2004 Kari broke his collarbone

Kari was riding in his club team toward the Finnish championship. His rear wheel hit into stump and Kari crash into tree. The collarbone is now broken and it will be operated on Monday.

11.7.2004 Johon Penton GNCC 

The first GNCC race was quite big surprise also for Juha. - The Most important for me was to have some practice here. The standing of the race was not so important, told Juha. He finished second but in the results he was third. The reason for that was the wrong route. Juha was not the only one who used it, but he got the penalty.

Results

1. Jason Raines Yamaha
2. Rodney Smith Suzuki
3. Juha Salminen KTM
4. Fred Anrews Suzuki
5. Scott Summers Honda

4.7.2004 Austrian Cross Country

Juha won and Kari was second in the Austian CC near Passau. The lap was 5 and half minute. Juha beat Kari by one lap. - This was good exercise for the next weekend race in Ohio, told Juha. 
Kari was quite happy for the race. - The race was really fun for me. I rode my normal transfer section speed and it was enough here, told Kari  

23.5.2004 Erzberg extreme

There were snowstorm in Erzberg. It was real extreme race. 

The race was in very large strip-mining pit. - It was real extreme race. The half of the race was in the snowstorm. There was one very sheer uphill. It was not possible to ride up. I have to park my bike with the help of the wood else the way back to downhill should be quite fast. Luckily I turn it out well, told Kari. 

Results
1. Christian Pfeiffer GER Gas Gas
2. Juha Salminen      FIN KTM
3. Jade Gutzeit       Etelä-Afrikka KTM
4. Cyril Despres      FRA KTM
5. Kari Tiainen       FIN KTM

18.4.2004 Lignano beach race

				Laps 	Time
1 Petteri Silvan – Samuli Aro	70	3.01.25,75 KTM 
2 Werner Muller - Fantin	68	3.01.54,99 KTM/HONDA 
3 Fabio Farioli -  Kari Tiainen	66	3.01.57,50 KTM 
4 Arnoldo Nicoli - Drigo	64	3.02.41,32 HUSABERG/KTM

5.3.2004 The WC races are over

Today it happened. Kari told to Finnish journalist that it is time to retire from WC series.  - After the Six Days Championship it is a good place to retire at the top. It is time to give room for younger riders. I will be as a competitor in a smaller races and I will be as a pre-rider in some WC races. I will have work enough to lead my team to three Championship. It is a realistic challenge to this year, told Kari. 

8.11.2003 We are the Champions

The Finnish Trophy team Mika Ahola, Samuli Aro, Juha Salminen, Kari Tiainen, Mika Saarenkoski, Jani Laaksonen won the World Trophy and also the Super moto event as a team. Second was Italy's team and third France. The result was pretty much as expected. 

This was fifth World trophy for Finns. The previous are from the years 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2002. Mika Saarenkoski has not been before a World Trophy winner, all others are. Kari  has been 14 times in ISDE. First time 1989.

France is the Junior Trophy team winner. It beat Finns in the Super moto race by 45 seconds.

In the 450cc class there were the battle of all battles, Belgian Stefan Everts against Juha Salminen. They raced like giants in an exciting race under more than 30 degrees heat. Fighting for each meter in the supermotard track, the riders changed places several times but in the end Everts won  this battle by 2 seconds and he also won the Individual overall. 

Kari was second before the Super moto race. There were small collision and Kari lost some seconds. This means that his Trophy team mate Jani Laaksonen took the second position by 0.28 sec. Stefan Merriman won 250cc 2-s class,

In the 125cc class Helder Rodrigues, won the class by 1'30 minutes. Simone Albergoni was second before Super moto. Mika Saarenkoski won the Super moto and he also won Albergoni by 22 seconds. Xavier Puigdemont is fourth in this class.

In the 500 cc class Ivan Cervantes was today's fastest and he won this class. The second is GPMX rider Johan Boonen.. Samuli Aro was today's sixth and he is dropped to fourth in this class. 

Peter Bergvall won the 250cc 4s class

More

8.11.2003 KARI is going strong

7.11.2003 KARI is going strong

The Finnish Trophy team has now over four minutes lead. They have been fastest Trophy team three days. Only one day winning is in Italian team. Italian is second and France third.

France leads the Junior trophy and Finland is the second.

Thursday's race was done in the beach and dynes. The leadership of the overall individual leader is now Stefan Everts from Belgium and second is the Australian rider Stefan Merriman, and third is Juha Salminen. 

Kari Tiainen is fifth in the overall class. - I did not even dream about this kind of success. But now I am getting tired, because I have had some problems to sleep. 

More

2.11.2003 KARI is back

Kari did today something that is unbelievable. He was on top four in all special tests in his class. After first day's race Finland is leading the Trophy.

2.11.2003 I.S.D.E is ready to start

Kari's hand is a mystery. He has to use wrist support. But when it's a question of Finland's interest, the pain doesn't matter, promised Kari. 

Finland has won four times (1996, 1998, 1999 ja 2002) the Trophy. This race is Kari's 14th race. He started his I.S.D.E career on 1989
See: Finnish riders from the 1989   and The winner's from 1988

Official race web site www.isde2003.com

3.6.2003 Kari is coming back

Kari will take part to Finnish WC race in Jämsä on the next week end. He will ride in the 250cc 2-s class. His right wrist is not in good condition. The sand track is not too hard for his hand and he believe that it is possible to beat Merriman. 

18.5.03 WC weekend in Italy

Results 17.5.03
Results 18.5.03

Merriman won overall on Saturday and Sunday. Salminen Cervantes and Aro were having a close race behind Merriman. 
Saturday
Cervantes was second in the overall class and Salminen third on Saturday. Xavier Puigdemont had engine problems in his bike as he had a week before too.
Sunday 
Aro crashed on the road and after a while his bike stopped. The reason for stopping was killing switch. It took too many minutes to find the problem and he retired. In the 500 cc class Salminen won. Second was Cervantes. He tried to beat Salminen in the last specila test. There was a lot of mud in the air while Cervantes was riding. He beat Salminen by 6.3 second, but it was not enough. Salminen won by 11.13 seconds 

11.5.03 WC weekend in France

Results 10.5.03
Results 11.5.03
Australian Stefan Merriman won the overall class also today. KTM riders took three next places, Ivan Cervantes was second Samuli Aro third and Juha Salminen fourth.
Ivan Cervantes took his first ever won in the enduro WC. These special tests were suitable for Cervantes. He won four tests as also Merriman. Merriman was very fast in the extreme test. He beat all the others by 8 seconds on both rounds. It was enough to win whole race.
Salminen and Aro started the race having tight competition between them. After the extreme test Merriman took the lead. Aro, Cervantes and Salminen had competition behind Merriman. Aro was second before last test special. Aro crashed and spent there 17 second more than Cervantes. Cervantes won Aro by ten seconds
KTM took the two first places in the 500cc class. Cervantes won and Salminen was second. After today’s race Juha Salminen leads overall class by 23 points. The second is Samuli Aro. Salminen leads the over 500cc class by 47 points.
Petteri Silvan was fourth in 125cc class. He crashed in the extreme test. Silvan is now third

9.5.2003 FIM Enduro commission presentation for teams, factories and press

Last year FIM started to work for making the Enduro more attractive for public and for media. FIM has agreed a contract with Alain Blanchard to be as an Enduro promoter. He is not yet 100% promoter, but he is studying this subject. The contract is for three years, 2004-2006.
In the season 2003 his firm produces 30 minutes TV program from every WC race. The television broadcasting will be in Europe area. The Enduro is now on television. The production will be free of charge to the television broadcasters.

Sponsors: KTM, Scott, Polini, Ipone

The promoting work in not possible to do without the support of manufacturers
There will be standards to organise the prize giving ceremony, working in the pressroom, etc. The promoter will work with organisations, not against them. The race organisation need not pay any money to the promoter. The aim is to improve the quality of the events. The Club organisations are not professionals. There should be standards and there should be somebody to take care all races will be done according those standards.

The Enduro rules must be simplified and the quality of races must be good. There cannot be five class and overall in the future. After changing the rule they will be tested in use. After a season it is possible to do new changes.

The competition season must be longer. I should start from end of March and it should end in the end of October. The races should be kept in same places and there should same organizer. The races should be tradition.

The FIM policy: There can be championship if the events have been more than in one continent. This means that the Enduro needs to go outside Europe, at least one race in the beginning
Main improving needs to be done to the two days Enduro. The Six Days improvement will be done later.

Kari’s personal ideas as a rider’s point of view: 1. We can go to the other continent. The rough example for season could be: SPA, POR, ITA and FRA. This fourth race can be in the begin of May. After that all teams make their bikes ready for transport and there should be organised transport to U.S.A There we can have two races in the beginning of July. After transporting bikes back to Europe we can have two races in Scandinavia in September. The last race can be in Zophau in October. 2. We must have more open rules, that we can have any kind of races. All races can be different. Not so tight rules. Good rider can handle different kind of surfaces. The race is always difficult to win no mater how easy or difficult the race is. 3. The new rule to have technical help from mechanic was good change. It was too difficult to control. 4. The paint markings should be changed to the stickers that cannot be copied. 5. The wheels and the tires should be marked. It should be possible to change whole wheel not only tire. One rider should have two sets of wheels.
Ideas should be on papers and they should be sent to Mr Michelotti
This kind of meeting must be repeated. Next meeting will be in Sweden

14.4.03 WC weekend at Greece

Juha Salminen and Ivan Cervantes dominated weekend's races. They had very close competition on Saturday and Sunday. Salminen won both, but it was not so easy than before. There was only one possible line to ride. Most important was to put on the brakes in the right place. Juha lead now the overall class by 33 points and 500 cc class by 48 points. Cervantes is second in the 500cc class. Juha Salminen and Ivan Cervantes dominated weekend's races. They had very close competition on Saturday and Sunday. Salminen won both, but it was not so easy than before. There was only one possible line to ride. Most important was to put on the brakes in the right place. Juha lead now the overall class by 33 points and 500 cc class by 48 points. Cervantes is second in the 500cc class.

Kari was proud to have first time all his team members in the podium. In the 450cc class Xavier Puigdemont took second place on Sunday and 13th on Saturday. Puigdemont took two TC point on Saturday by riding wrong way with Marko Tarkkala. - Puigdemont has learned a lot. We will continue by training motocross riding, told Kari. - I really like to be in this team, told Xevi. I do not have any stress and the bikes are incredible good.
In the 250cc 2-stokes class Samuli Aro was third on Sunday and second on Saturday. Both races included one mistake and Aro was not satisfied to this weekend.
In the 125cc class Petteri Silvan was third on Sunday and fifth on Saturday. Silvan did not know where he lost to Pohjamo.

Results 12.4.03
Results 13.4.03

24.3.03 WC weekend at Spain

Juha Salminen and Samuli Aro were the two biggest names in the race. Aro won on Saturday and Salminen on Sunday. Samuli won only by 0.68 seconds on Saturday and on Juha by 5 second on Sunday. Juha Salminen and Samuli Aro were the two biggest names in the race. Aro won on Saturday and Salminen on Sunday. Samuli won only by 0.68 seconds on Saturday and on Juha by 5 second on Sunday.

In the 450cc class Kari's team rider, Xavier Puigdemont was 5th on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday. He has been in good training. Team manager is personally giving riding hints to Puigdemont. - He will be in the podium for sure, told Kari.

Petteri was 2nd on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday. His bike was not in full power on Saturday. - We changed the exhaust pipe and the carburettor. After that bike was quite different, told Petteri.

Results 22.3.03
Results 23.3.03

17.3.03 Great success for Kari's team

Great weekend for team KTM Factory leaded by Kari. Juha is 1st in the overall and Samuli is second.
 It is very important to get riders to overall 15 group. In the next race they will start first. I believe that without being in that group it is not possible to win the overall. In that group there are Juha, Samuli and Petteri.

Results 15.3.03
Results 16.3.03
Official website

12.3.03 The WM races are over for a while

The results after discussion with doctors was the operation  or on month resting time. The operation was not possible because of Kari's team chief work. So Kari will lead the team and Xavier Puigdemot will ride Kari's bike

A link to the Portugal race 15-16.3. web site

2.3.03 Spain championship

Petri Pohjamo won today's Spain Championship. Samuli Aro was third in the ST times, but he took one TC-minute. - Nowadays it is very ease in service, because mechanics take care about bike. I was discussing with Samuli and we did not think our timetable at all. I was in time at the TC, but Samuli took one minute, told Kari.

All Special tests were grass and because of  the rain they were very slippery. Almost in all curves  was need to use the first gear. It was not very easy to take big bike to those curves. During race Kari's right wrist was very painful and tomorrow he will go to see his doctor. 

Scratch results
1. Petri Pohjamo     Suomi	Gas Gas	  0
2. Arnau Vilanova    Espanja	Honda	 +0:11.67
3. Miki Arpa	     Espanja	Honda	 +0:30.52
4. Jari Mattila	     Suomi	Gas Gas	 +0:31.21
5. Jani Laksonen     Suomi	Gas Gas	 +0:35.30
6. Xacob Agra	     Espanja	KTM	 +1:03.33
7. Xavier Puigdemont Espanja	Gas Gas	 +1:18.98
8. Samuli Aro	     Suomi 	KTM 	 +1:26.13
9. Kari Tiainen	     Suomi	KTM	 +1:28.86
10.Joan Roma	     Espanja	KTM	 +1:30.38
13.Petteri Silvan    Suomi	KTM	 +1:42.03
18.Marko Tarkkala    Suomi	Husaberg +2:16.63
 

12.2.03 Team KTM racing Kari is leading the Finnish KTM team 2003. This has been very busy time for me, told Kari. I have to arrange many new things and also I will ride a whole year as a competitor.
	From left: Samuli Aro, Petteri Silvan, mechanics: Timo "Tender" Virtanen, Janne Suominen, Jarmo "Toby" Toivonoja, Juha Varjosaari. In front Juha and Kari.

9.2.03 Spain championship

Kari was very happy for his team's results and also his own. Kari fall down a week ago and injured his right hand. That's way it was not so easy race for him. After the race he went to a doctor. Kari's hand was x-rayed  and there was nothing broken. So everything will be OK after a while.
Juha and Samuli made wrong selection for their tires. They believed that it will rain. There were no rain but it was very dusty. Samuli started after slower competitor and had problems with dusty.

Scratch

1. Juha Salminen     KTM 	Suomi     31'22.15
2. Marko Tarkkala    Husaberg	Suomi     +0'06.53
3. Samuli Aro	     KTM	Suomi     +0'07.26
4. Ivan Cervantes    KTM	Espanja   +0'15.60
5. Arnau Vilanova	        Espanja   +0'19.28
6. Jani Laaksonen    GasGas	Suomi     +0'48.27
7. Kari Tiainen	     KTM	Suomi     +0'48.42
8. Anders Eriksson   Husqvarna	Ruotsi    +1'07.04

24.12.02 Merry Christmas

Kari and Katri wish you a Merry Christmas from Spain. 
Kari's KTM-team is ready for the next year's  competitions. All members will be from Finland. The KTM Factory will publish teams on January. 

10.12.02 Kari's MB school is running smoothly

The ministry of Education of Finland assigned money to Kari's MB school. Kari is very happy for this valuation of his school.
Kari's team is not yet ready to publish. It will take some days to be quite sure that everything is OK. Lets wait..

30.11.02 Kari's race ended to 1/4 final

The Finnish's first round went quite well. Only JJ Lehto lost his race once. 1/4 final between Italy and Finland went to Italy. Only Grönholm won his race. Team USA won Italian and also the race of nations. Colin Edwars was fastest biker and he will be in tomorrows race.  

28.11.02 The Race of Champions

During next week end Kari will take part to  The Race of Champions. He is driving in a Finnish team with JJ Lehto and Marcus Grönholm. The race will start tomorrow by practicing. On Saturday there will be hard race, called Nations Cup. Fastest biker, racing driver and rally driver will also take part to Sundays Race of Champions. Kari's hard opinion is that he will be that one !

Link to the Race

14.11.02 Plans for the next Year

Next year will be very different for Kari. He will not take part to the Dakar rally. He is going to have all needed prepared in time for his new KTM team. Almost every detail is going well. Presentation of his team will be on the 5th December.
Kari will  ride KTM 450cc and Juha KTM 525cc. That is all what is possible to tell. Let's wait..

In Barcelona there were quite big indoor competition. Juha was winner of 4-stokes and the super final. Kari was 3rd in 4-stokes and 4th in the Super final. It was first time for their new bike. Not bad.
At the same weekend there was last competition of Spanish championship. Kari was fourth. Spanish Champion in 500cc class is Ivan Cervantes

Kari's Six days went quite well. He was 5th in his class and 13th overall. His team club members didn't reach the finish.

Kari's I.S.D.E pages in Finnish

6.8.02 Training with motorbike has started

Kari's left hand is good enough to start training, but it is still very weak. Kari started his training with 125cc bike, because it do not tear off his hands. Six Days will be first competition to test riding. He will not ride in team Finland.

29.6.02 Kari is getting over

Kari is now ready to start his training. He just tried his new Scott bike and there was no problem to start. Finnish Enduro WM group keep their annual competition session in Jämsä. There was also possibility to be co-driver to Tommi Mäkinen. 170 km/h in very narrow road. Fantastic!

 

17.5.02 The race in Italy

Kari is now in Italy to see WM race. It is a very new situation for Kari, because he has been in all WM- competitions since 1989. Now he is more like a tourist in this race, but  he like to help Juha as much as possible. Kari's hand is quite well and there is no pain. 

14.5.02 Kari is operated.

Kari's hand is operated on Monday. It went well and he will travel to Italy on Wednesday. Kari can not use any power of his left hand until 5 weeks has gone.

9.5.02 Kari's WM races are over

Kari has been in Finland in medical inspection. Doctor's decision is hard. They will operate Kari's left hand on next Monday. After operation there will be about three months time to rest so this year's races are over.
Kari has had this problem during whole season. He crashed at Arras - Dakar rally. After that his left hand have never been in  condition. At least half of power have been lost.

18.4.02 Hello from Creek 

Hello from Creek. Here we are, first time in WM-history! The race center is near ski center where is still snow.

Link to www.enduro.gr 

24.3.02 Motor failure on Saturday and fourth on Sunday

The oil pipe got a fracture and the motor stopped running on Saturday. This happened in the middle of the long ST. The motor started again after cooling and Kari can rode near the end of ST.
The bike got the new motor for Sunday. Kari was third before last ST on Sunday. Björne Carlson won last ST and Kari stayed fourth.
Kari will spent one week holiday with Tommi Mäkinen. After Easter time is time to start competition again.

Results in Portugal 24.3.2002
Results in Portugal 23.3.2002

22.3.02 The second WM race will start tomorrow 

Everything is ready for this season's second WM-race in Portugal. Kari and Juha had walked all ST´s. They both really like that ST's are very good. They will be good jumps etc.

The first race was raced at last week end in Spain. The race was good, but the weather was not. Kari started to race only for to get points. He was very happy for third position on both days.
One big news is, that Kari's and Juha's mechanic, Toby is going to end his work as mechanic an at the end of this year. He will only be with Kari in some marathon rallies. Kari's and Juha's new trainee mechanic is Timo "Herkkä" Virtanen. There will be also an other mechanic in Finnish KTM team in the future.

Results in Spain 17.3.2002
Results in Spain 16.3.2002

17.2.02 The First Spanish Championship race

Kari told that he do not have any big problems with his hands and riding after little break was very nice. The new bike is very fantastic and very fast.  Kari was today's sixth after he stopped about 30 sec his bike on ST.  

This was Kari's first race after his crash in Arras - Dakar rally on 9^th of January. Kari's collarbone is not yet recovered to normal. The doctor has said that it takes 4 to 6 week to start riding again. So today he started only for riding the race ,not for winning.

Arras - Dakar 2002

11.11.01 Kari is new Spanish Champion
Today Kari is new Spanish Champion in 500cc 4-t class. Juha is also new Spanish Champion in 250cc class and Petri Pohjamo in 125cc class. Juha won overall in all eight race and Kari was fastest in his class. Congratulations ! 
Kari and Juha will race in Barcelona Indoor Enduro at next weekend 

6.10. Meoni won The Rally of Egypt
Fabrizio Meoni didn't won any stages. He only focused final result. This was the tactic of this race. Kari took two stage wins and stayed fourth. This is good experience for Dakar rally. 

Tulokset 6.10.:
1. Giovanni Sala    ITA KTM  4:00.08
2. Carlo De Cavarro CHI KTM    +0.24
3. Fabrizio Meoni   ITA KTM    +2:21
4. Kari Tiainen     FIN KTM    +4.31
5. Alfie Cox        RSA KTM    +6.25
6. Joan Roma        ESP KTM    +8.20

Kilpailun lopputulos
1. Fabrizio Meoni   ITA KTM  25:46.06
2. Joan Roma        ESP KTM     +0.23
3. Carlo De Cavarro CHI KTM     +1.20
4. Kari Tiainen     FIN KTM     +5.50
5. Alfie Cox        RSA KTM     +6.02

The Rally of Egypt 

5.10. Today it was a tactical race
Kari didn't wont to win today's race. He ride so that he can start from behind tomorrow. It's time to use enduro experience for winning this race. 

Results:
1. Matteo Graziani ITA KTM  4:06.29
2. Joan Roma       ESP KTM    +4.00
3. Alfie Cox       RSA KTM    +6.24
4. Kari Tiainen    FIN KTM    +8.05
5. Fabrizio Meoni  ITA KTM    +8.38

Overall results:
1. Joan Roma        ESP KTM 21:38.01
2. Fabrizio Meoni   ITA KTM    +5.36
3. Alfie Cox        RSA KTM    +7.34
4. Carlo De Cavarro CHI KTM    +8.53
5. Kari Tiainen     FIN KTM    +9.16

4.10. Sainct crashed his bike
Richard Sainct failed down and crashed his bike and retired. Joan Roma is leading and Kari is 5th.
Kari don't ST like this. ST was very dusty and it was very stony. There is too many risks, said Kari. Today's ST was 380 km and average speed 96km/h

Results:
1. Giovanni Sala    ITA KTM  3:55.58
2. Carlo De Cavarro CHI KTM    +1.19
3. Fabrizio Meoni   ITA KTM    +1.38
4. Alfie Cox        RSA KTM    +5.06
5. Joan Roma        ESP KTM    +6.32
6. Kari Tiainen     FIN KTM   +10.22

Overall results:
1. Joan Roma        ESP KTM 17:27.32
2. Fabrizio Meoni   ITA KTM    +0.58
3. Carlo De Cavarro CHI KTM    +2.53
4. Alfie Cox        RSA KTM    +5.10
5. Kari Tiainen     FIN KTM    +5.11

3.10. The rally of Egypt is going strong
Kari won today and after today's race Kari is overall 2nd. Tomorrow he will start first. I do not want to take any risks so tomorrow is others turn to win, said Kari.
The race started on Sunday from Sphinx of Cairo.  56 competitors started the race in motorbike class.
Sunday's race was only about 100 km. Richard Sainct won and Kari was third. On Monday was Kari's time to won. Sainct had some orienting problems.
Tuesday was not good day for Kari. First his suspension brooked and Kari got 7 min penalty. After that Jordi Arcarons failed  down and Kari helped him. Sainct won and Kari was eight.

Results:
1. Kari Tiainen     FIN KTM 0
2. Joan Roma        ESP KTM 0.46
3. Alfie Cox        RSA KTM +4.00
4. Fabrizio Meoni   ITA KTM +6.01
5. Carlo De Cavarro CHI KTM +8.01
6. Giovanni Sala    ITA KTM +10.05

Overall results:
1. Joan Roma        ESP KTM 0
2. Kari Tiainen     FIN KTM +1.21
3. Fabrizio Meoni   ITA KTM +5.52
4. Alfie Cox        RSA KTM +6.36
5. Carlo De Cavarro CHI KTM +8.06

2.9. I.S.D.E. Kari was Overall third  
Finnish Trophy-team lost its first member on Monday, when Petri Pohjamo broke his collarbone. Second lost was on Thursday, when Juha Salminen had engine problems. After that everyone rode his own race.
At final  motocross Kari still had possibilities to take second Overall, until man from Sweden crashed into Kari. Eriksson won 500cc class final motocross and Kari was third. Fastest was Samuli Aro.
France won Trophy and Mika Ahola Overall. Kari was third Overall.
I.S.D.E. 

Master Rally 2-11.8.2001

16.7. Finnish I.S.D.E.- team

Trophy-team:

• 125cc: Petri Pohjamo  Gas Gas. 
• 250cc 2t: Samuli Aro  HVA.
• 250cc 4t: Petteri Silvan  HVA.
• 400cc: Juha Salminen KTM.
• +500cc: Mika Ahola  VOR and Kari Tiainen  KTM.

Junior Trophy:

• 125cc: Marko Koli Kawasaki ja Riku Riiheläinen  TM.
• 250cc 2t: Jari Mattila  Gas Gas.
• Marko Tarkkalan, mark and class is still open.

 

17.6. Eriksson won WM by 0.06 sec, Kari third and bronze medal

Anders Eriksson is the new World Champion in 500 cc. He won Mika by only 0.06 sec. Last ST was great success for Anders, he won Mika by 7.41 sec Kari's race was not so good in Luleå. He was third and got Bronze medal. This is my first Bronze. I have got medal from the year 1990. It is nice to keep this chain unbroken, said Kari.

Results 17.6
Results 16.6

10.6. Kari third
Juha won Overall and WM, Petteri won WM!!. Congratulations
The race in Vantaa was once again wet. One St canceled. Both rode ST's were Mx-type. First was sandy and second was grassy. Because of heavy rain the track was very slippery.  Kari didn't have best tires for that race.
 Race was very thought. On Sunday  Kari lost 2nd place for only 0.48 sec for Anders. Mika Ahola won both days and he is going to be competitor for Anders.  Kari is now third at the WM series.

Official pages
Results 10.6.
Results 9.6.

 

13.5. Kari fourth
Juha, Mika Ahola and Petri Pohjamo took Sunday's wins in Ampezzo, where whether was very warm. Juha was once again fastest Finn. Juha didn't like to loose Overall podium place to Merriman.  Juha is still leading for 72 points. In Finland he can be Overall Winner
In 500cc class was Mika Ahola's day.  Kari started today's race very well. He was second after 3rd ST. ST4 was Kari's weak point He didn't find good race lines at Saturday either Sunday.
At last ST Kari try to increase his position. Tree first curves went wrong and Kari was 4th at this race.
Kari is trying to find winning feelings. He think that in Finland and Sweden everything is okay and he will be winner again.

Official pages
Results 13.5.
Results 12.5.

11.5. In Italy  will be good race 
Ampezzo/ Italy. There is excellent ST's. Ampezzo placed at 561 m above sea level. Highest point of the route is 1428 m and there is snow! Race goes up and down to mountain. 

6.5. Third in Slovakia 
On Sunday Kari raced good competition with Eriksson and Carlsson. At the first ST Kari was not waked up as usual. He  tried hard and was overall fastest at last ST, but it was not enough.
Kari had flue, so the weekend was not so easy to race. 
Mika Ahola's bike had electric problem and he retired.

Results 

5.5. Not Kari's day
The day was not Kari's. ST1 was terrible slippery to Kari, so he lose plenty. Kari crashed at ST8 and had problems to start machine. Once at every year must be race like this.   
Results

5.4. The race in Spain was success
Saturday was good for Kari, except one special test. There Kari took wrong lines and lost about 7 sec. At last special Kari went down a little.
After Saturday mistakes. Kari and Juha walked tests.
At Sunday Kari and Mika raced hard race Kari won Mika by only 0.8 sec and took it all by winning overall.
Results 1.4.
Results 31.3
 

29.3. Rider's want changes
Enduro WM- riders had yesterday a meeting where they made unanimous resolution which will take into account in every WM-race. Every race Organization must take into account rider's opinion.

Rider's aim:
Enduro WM- riders want do, in co-operation with the Race Organization and with Jury, races which

•  are safety
•  guarantee to all riders fair play, so that they can race for winning
•  are not against the rules of FIM

The Race Organization must do for this:

• The master round have to be on Thursday, so that it is possible to make any changes
• They must be in contact with rider's spokesmen at Thursday evening
• River's spokesmen will be in Jury meeting at Friday morning and at Saturday evening
• They must react to the rider's needs
• They must have possibilities to do quick changes for the  race track because of bad weather etc.

WM-riders will have meeting at every WM-Race on Wednesday at 7 PM. There they will resolve the agenda of the rider's needs for the Organization. The meeting authorized following riders to be WM-rider's spokesmen for the following races

• The race in Spain Miki Arpa, Guillaume Porte
• Slovakia: Jaroslav Katrinak, Giovanni Sala
• Italy: Mario Rinaldi, Steffan Merriman
• Finland: Juha Salminen, Fabio Farioli
• Sweden: Anders Eriksson, Fausto Scovolo

The arranger of the meeting will be rider of organization nationality. Both spokesmen will work as chairman of the rider's meetings.

25.3. First WM-race is raced and no points
This was terrible weekend for Kari and for enduro sport. Because of bad whether and arranger's skill to make changes to the route.
Saturday was rainy and there has rained at least four weeks. It was not possible to drive the route. There was a group of 400cc class rider stayed before the hill. So whole 500cc class stopped. Expect Lind. After one hour arranger show new route to the special test.
Jury rejected 500cc class expect Lind and a group of 400cc class. So no point's for Kari and this year's overall champion has gone.
Sunday was also rainy. After one lap 125cc stopped. The route was so bad that nobody wanted to go on. Race stopped.
Now is time to think how is possible to make competition's so that riders will is  taken into  consideration.

18.3.  Only few days to start
Kari will start new season in good feelings. He's goal is to win 8th World Champion. He will drive all 12 WM-series competitions. The series will be raced before midsummer.
Kari has trained with Johan in Spain.  They have trained their durability by jogging and playing badminton. Kari won both driven Spanish Champion in 500 class. And of course Juha was overall winner.
Kari likes to drive Enduro. He thinks that he will drive it at the end of his career. It's the only way to keep good touch to speed although marathon rally will be his best event.

Kari at Paris - Dakar 2001
Kari's Year 2000
Kari at Dakar - Cairo 2000
Kari's Year 1999