Green light for Rally Sweden

Next week’s Rally Sweden (13 – 16 February), the second round of the FIA World Rally Championship, will go ahead following a positive inspection of the event route by the FIA on Tuesday.

Following unseasonably warm weather in the Värmland region of Sweden and across the border in Norway, FIA sporting delegate Timo Rautiainen inspected the special stages to check the conditions for the WRC’s only pure winter round.

His report was discussed by Rally Sweden organisers, the FIA, WRC Promoter and manufacturer teams this evening (Tuesday) and a route proposal has been agreed.

The rally will include competitive action on all four days as originally scheduled, with a modified itinerary to be finalised by organisers. The new timetable will feature about 180km of spectacular speed tests and full championship points will be awarded.

The rally will open on Thursday night with the traditional start ceremony and head-to-head special stage at the fan-favourite Karlstad trotting track.

Friday will feature a morning pass over Norway’s Hof-Finnskog and Finnskogen stages and the Nyckelvattnet test across the border in Sweden. The day will be completed by the Torsby Sprint stage, which finishes at the entrance to the popular event service park.

Saturday will follow an identical route and two passes over the Likenas stage will complete the event on Sunday. The second run through Likenas will form the live TV Wolf Power Stage.

“It’s fantastic to be able to confirm Rally Sweden will go ahead,” said event CEO Glenn Olsson.

“Many people have worked extremely hard over the last few days so that we can reach this position, and I’m delighted that fans, TV viewers and competitors will be able to enjoy one of the WRC’s most spectacular and fastest fixtures.

“We will welcome fans into the forests as planned. Those who are unable to attend the event in person will be able to enjoy live global TV coverage on Saturday and Sunday, as well as the live streaming of all stages on WRC+ All Live.”