WRC Rally Sweden
The WRC’s only pure winter fixture ventures deep into the frozen and remote forests of north-eastern Sweden from its home in Umeå. Studded tyres provide remarkable grip on snow and ice and, paradoxically, it is one of the season’s fastest rounds.
| Date | 09 - 12 February 2023 |
| Entry list | Download (PDF) |
| Servicepark | Umeå |
| Itinerary/Schedule | Download (PDF) |
| Website | https://rallysweden.com/ |
| Hashtag | #RallySweden |
| Spectator information | Link |
| Watch the rally | Live Stream / TV Guide |
About the rally
First held in 1950, Rally Sweden is one of the oldest rallies in the world. It is also the only rally on the WRC calendar to take place entirely on snow and ice, making it a unique and popular spectacle among fans worldwide.
In pursuit of the ultimate winter conditions, the event moved north in 2022 to a new base in Umeå. Drivers ‘lean’ their cars against the banks to guide them round corners. But in warmer temperatures the banks disintegrate on impact and cars can become stuck in the snow.
Studded tyres are essential and provide remarkable grip, but drivers must acclimatise to the ‘floating’ feeling and different braking points.
When temperatures hover around freezing, the studs tear up the road surface and exposed gravel rips them from the tyres to leave little traction. Outdoor servicing in temperatures which can plunge as low as -25°C makes normally routine jobs slower and tricky for gloved mechanics.
Top 3 Highlights
- It’s the WRC’s only pure winter rally. Watch in awe as the cars dance between the snowbanks at breathtakingly high speeds!
- Craig Breen starts his first rally since returning to Hyundai Motorsport. How will the Irishman fare?
- Sweden hosts round one of the FIA Junior WRC - the ultra-competitive one-make series for aspiring young stars in M-Sport Poland Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars.
Servicepark
Based at the Nolia Exhibition Centre in Umeå.
Event History
- First run in 1950 when it was called the Rally to the Midnight Sun as it was held in summer. It became a winter event in 1965.
- It featured in the inaugural championship in 1973 and has been dominated by Nordic drivers, who won every year until 2004 when Sébastien Loeb broke the mould.
- Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak and 2020 victor Elfyn Evans are the only other ‘outsiders’ to win.
- Stig Blomqvist tops the roll of honour with seven wins.
Top 5 moments Rally Sweden 2023
Roll of Honour
|
Wins |
Driver |
Years won |
|
7 |
Stig Blomqvist |
1971, 1972, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984 |
|
5 |
Marcus Grönholm |
2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1978 |
|
4 |
Jari-Matti Latvala |
2008, 2012, 2014, 2017 |
|
3 |
Sébastien Ogier Tommi Mäkinen Kenneth Eriksson |
2013, 2015, 2016 1996, 1998, 1999 1991, 1995, 1997 |