WRC: Rally Sweden 2012

Steve · 01-25-2012, 12:25 PM

Round 2 of the 2012 WRC season is up next. If you were disappointed by the relative dearth of snow in Monte Carlo, the Swedish round should satisfy your appetite.

Here is the general info lifted from WRC.com:

Quote:

Round 2

09 - 12 Feb 12

Categories: WRC, SWRC

Based: Karlstad

Surface: Ice and snow covered gravel

Website: Rally Sweden

Back in its traditional slot as round two of the season following Rallye Monte-Carlo’s return to the calendar, Rally Sweden will continue to spread its wings in 2012 with almost the entire competitive route on day one taking place in neighbouring Norway.

Running for a 60th time, the event will once again be based in Karlstad with the permanent service park housed 85 kilometres away at Hagfors airport, where fans can get close up to the rally cars on several occasions during the rally.

Featuring 360 competitive kilometres over 24 stages, 11 of which will be run twice, the rally, which gets underway with a superspecial stage at Karlstad’s trotting track, has undergone a number of changes for 2012.

The bulk of Friday’s stages will take place in Norway with a remote service halt in the town of Kongsvinger. The visit to Norway will stir memories of the country’s world championship qualifier, which last ran to great acclaim in 2009. Following a regroup in Torsby, back across the border in Sweden, crews will service in Hagfors before returning to Karlstad for a second run of the city’s superspecial stage.

Day two’s action includes classic stages such as Sagen, Fredriksberg and Vargasen, which features the famous Colin’s Crest jump, named in memory of the late Colin McRae. Saturday’s itinerary will also include a run through the Hagfors arena stage a short drive from the permanent service park.

Sunday’s stages take place around Hagfors and include runs through Rammen and Hafors. The Hagfors Power Stage will bring the action to a close. It’s the same stage as Varmullsasen in 2010. Measuring 15.42 kilometres in length, it could prove pivotal to the outcome of the rally.

Despite ambient temperatures dipping to as low as minus 25 degrees centigrade, fans flock to the stages in greater number to witness the spectacle of drivers charging through ice- and snow-coated roads at full speed, which can be achieved thanks to their metal studded tyres, which bite through the soft snow surface and into the hard-packed ground below.

As well as relying on their studded tyres, drivers make the most of the snow banks that line much of the route. They act as soft barriers and enable drivers to ‘lean’ their cars through the corners. However, they represent a major hazard when corners are taken too quickly with several drivers dropping vital time getting stuck or having their radiators filled with snow.

Steve · 01-25-2012, 12:27 PM

Joining Dani Sordo in the second MINI will be Swedish driver Richard Göransson.

Richard Göransson to race Mini in WRC Sweden (ttagroup.se)

Quote:

Racing driver Richard Göransson will face the challenge of his professional life this winter. He will take on the world’s best rally drivers on their own territory – in the top class!

After last years success where Richard Göransson finished second overall in the PWRC class in Rally Sweden he is now ready for an even greater challenge, to compete in the WRC-class. A challenge he hasn’t fully understood himself yet.

”This is the greatest challenge in my career and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous”, Richard says. ”It is after all just over a year ago that I drove my very first rally and now I will compete in WRC.”

Richard will be driving a MINI John Cooper Works WRC in Rally Sweden, a car entered by the british factory team Prodrive. Richard says a big reason for his WRC-drive in Rally Sweden is to become an even better racing driver.

”I’ve been on top in racing for several years and for me it’s important to continue develop as a driver and doing rallying is a way of achieving this. I learn how to improvise, to face different conditions in a much better way and quicker make the right decisions when behind the wheel. Rally is still something completely new for me and WRC is the biggest thing you can do as a rally driver, it’s the Formula 1 of rally,” Richard explains.

Richard will continue his cooperation with Fredrik Eljas and Eljas Motorsport with whom he worked together in Rally Sweden last year. Fredrik Eljas will be involved as an advisor to Richard and responsible for events. He will also handle the test and competion programme Richard is planning in order to prepare for Rally Sweden.

”Last winter Richard shoved us he has an extraordinary speed in a rally car despite few preparations before hand,” Fredrik says. ”The cooperation with Richard developed us as a team as well and this will be the first time Eljas Motorsport is involved in a WRC-programme in Rally Sweden.”

Rally Sweden is held between February 9th and February 12th and Fredrik Eljas has a clear goal.

”First of all we will make sure we have fun and enjoy the moment. Last year we set a the target of finishing top 5 in PWRC, a goal we surpassed with great margin with a second place. If we could get into the points this time around, meaning finishing tenth overall or better, it would be an extraordinary effort,” Fredrik Eljas concludes.

Experienced and succesful world championship rally team Prodrive develops and builds the MINI WRC factory cars. They look forward to the challenge of guiding Richard Göransson against the worlds best rally drivers in WRC.

”Prodrive are delighted to be working with a driver of Richard’s talent”, said Richard Taylor of Prodrive. ”Although he is more used to dry tarmac Richard does have previous snow rally experience and we know that the MINI WRC car is very easy to drive and are sure he will have no trouble adapting to it. Our aim is to help Richard to achieve his best ever finish in Rally Sweden.”

Follow Richard Göransson at Richard Göransson.

Steve · 01-25-2012, 12:28 PM

Inspiration:

Rally Sweden 2011 - Long live WRC! - YouTube

**Crashton** · 01-25-2012, 12:52 PM

Snow Snow Snow!!!

**jbewley** · 01-25-2012, 01:39 PM

Great idea. Lets give the second car to an inexperienced driver. BMW really knows how to go for the win.

Jim

B.A.D. · 01-25-2012, 02:57 PM

Maybe they should put him in a Justa Countyguy so he doesn't tear it up?

**Crashton** · 01-25-2012, 04:12 PM

Since Kris is not driving the 2nd MINI countryguy I think it is swell they are having a young driver take the helm. He has proven he can be competitive in a lesser car. Maybe he will show MINI he has what it takes besides sponsor cash. I wish him well.

Snow Snow Snow!!!

IMHO snow & slippy conditions show driver talent rather than who has the fastest car. Fastest driver wins.

**jbewley** · 01-25-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashton

Since Kris is not driving the 2nd MINI countryguy I think it is swell they are having a young driver take the helm. He has proven he can be competitive in a lesser car. Maybe he will show MINI he has what it takes besides sponsor cash. I wish him well.

Exactly my point Crash. The BMW is simply "playing" and is not serious about trying to win this.

Jim

**Crashton** · 01-25-2012, 05:04 PM

Guess I do not give a rats arse about BMW, but do care that a young guy with talent is getting a well deserved chance at a good ride. I think the Finn's in the Ford & the Citroen are a very good bet for the win. Oh & lets not forget Solberg.

To heck with politics, rally rally rally!!!

**jbewley** · 01-25-2012, 06:10 PM

I have to call it like I see it Crash and I do not see it the same way you do, which is fine. Heck, if you could get your farmer buddy back in operation, you could buy a ride in the second MINI WRC car. All it takes is money.

I am still interested in the battle between Loeb, Latvala, Solberg, Ogier and Hirvonen. Their teams are serious and Steve's great coverage makes it possible. I will cheer strongly for the MINI privateer teams, but as far as the MINI Factory Team goes, well, whatever.

Jim