New shakedown on Strandpromenaden sneak-starts Rally Sweden

“It’s something special to be able to race rally so centrally. Offering a shakedown on Strandpromenaden makes it unique and easily accessible for everyone. The audience will be able to stand along the course and feel the speed up close,” says Joakim Åström, course director for Rally Sweden.

The stage starts at Älvtået and winds its way down toward the river before finishing at Broparken. For the spectators, there are several strategic spots where they can watch the rally cars in action, and with Umeå’s cityscape as a backdrop, it will also provide some magical TV shots.

“It will be an impressive setting with the river and the city in the background. Seeing rally cars on Strandpromenaden is going to be an incredible experience,” adds Joakim.

Planning a stage like this has been a challenge, but one of Rally Sweden’s major ambitions is to keep the event as consolidated as possible for both the audience and the teams. Both the shakedown and the Red Barn Arena are easily accessible—you can reach the spectator areas on foot or with Ultra’s local buses.

“We want the rally to be accessible for everyone. Here, we have a shakedown right in the city center, which will showcase Umeå in a great way. It’s a perfect start to the competition,” says Joakim.

With its proximity to Umeå’s downtown and a course that offers both speed and stunning views, it is set for a magical inauguration of this year’s rally.

“We have a time control at Broparken where the drivers’ times are recorded. There, interviews will be conducted and the audience will have the opportunity to get very close to the cars and the rally drivers. It’s going to be fun,” says Joakim.

When the first cars roll out onto Strandpromenaden, Rally Sweden 2025 is officially underway—and it promises to be an opening to remember.