Most liked posts in thread: WRC: Rally Sweden 2013

Steve · Feb 4, 2013

WRC.com preview: Rally Sweden

04 Feb 13

WRC round 2 of 13. Thursday 7 February - Sunday 10 February.

After the ice and slush of the season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo, things stay wintry for round two of the FIA World Rally Championship when the action shifts 2000 km north to the frozen forests of Scandinavia and one of the fastest rallies in the series.

The snow-covered stages of Rally Sweden make it a unique challenge in the WRC. The spectacle of cars nudging 200kph on snow against the backdrop of a winter wonderland makes for some of the most breathtaking television pictures from each season, while drivers relish the speed and the surprising amounts of traction available from the World Rally Cars.

Tyres fitted with hundreds of tungsten-tipped steel studs offer tremendous grip on the rock-hard ice surface beneath them, while the snow banks lining the route are often used to keep the car on the straight and narrow - allowing the drivers to attack corners a gear higher than they would on any other loose-surface event. Rally Sweden rewards those who are willing to risk everything. But beware, nudge those snow banks too hard and they can swallow World Rally Cars wholeâ€¦

The rally

Running for the 61st year, Rally Sweden is once again based in Karlstad with the service park located 85 kilometres away at Hagfors airport.

The action starts from Hagfors on Thursday 7 February with a free practice session (08:00hrs-10:00hrs) followed at 10:33hrs by the Qualifying Stage that will help determine the running order for the opening dayâ€™s competition.

Following the popular head-to-head superspecial in Karlstad on Thursday night, the real stage action will commence on Friday with the first of two days in the Swedish countryside around the service park in Hagfors.

Friday and Saturday features traditional stages in the host country, including classics like Vargasen (featuring Colinâ€™s Crest) and Lesjofors on Friday and Sagen, Fredriksberg and Rammen on Saturday. On Sunday the event crosses the border into Norway (the opening stage Mitandersfors starts in Sweden and finishes in Norway) before returning to Sweden for the closing Power Stage at Torsby.

There are 22 stages on Rally Sweden, totaling 338.91 competitive kilometres. The event also includes the second round of the FIA WRC 2 Championship.

So whoâ€™s going to win?

While our prediction of Sebastien Loeb for Monte-Carlo was spot-on, Rally Sweden is a much more difficult result to call.

The form book would suggest either Mikko Hirvonen or Jari-Matti Latvala, both of whom have won the event twice in the last five years (it wasnâ€™t run in 2009 because of the FIAâ€™s rotation system). What complicates things, however, is that Ford has been unbeaten in Sweden since 2006 and this year neither driver is in one.

After switching to Citroen for 2012, Hirvonen was tipped for victory in Sweden last year, but on only his second rally in the DS3 WRC felt he was "missing that little something you need to grab the win". He lost out on that occasion to Fiesta RS driver Latvala.

This year Latvala is the one in the new team and has slightly less than one rally under his belt with the Volkswagen Polo R. We think that makes Hirvonen, with the benefit of a full season in the DS3, our pick to score a Swedish hat-trick.

But, as ever, donâ€™t rule out Loeb. In 2004 he became the only non-nordic driver to win Rally Sweden. This year, the Frenchman surprised many by picking Sweden as one the four rallies in his WRC swan song. "It is undoubtedly not one of the rallies where I have enjoyed the most success in recent years, but thatâ€™s exactly why Iâ€™m keen to compete here,â€ he explained. â€œI am here one final time to try and go out in style!â€ Few would doubt his ability to do that.

After his fairytale debut with Volkswagen on Rallye Monte-Carlo, Latvalaâ€™s team-mate Sebastien Ogier will be out to prove the result was no fluke. Ogier has two top five finishes to his name in Sweden and while in public the team is playing down its chances, you can be sure the Frenchman is desperate to climb another podium.

Among the Ford drivers, Mads Ostberg, Evgeny Novikov and fast young Finn Jari Ketomaa stand out. Ostberg has a huge amount of snow rally experience and has finished on the podium in Sweden twice in the last two years. With the stages going through his home country of Norway, he will be desperate to go one better than his 2011 second place.

Novikov was fifth in Sweden last year and after an excellent start to his season on Rallye Monte-Carlo could well be chasing a podium in his Fiesta. Ketomaa meanwhile will start Sweden less than one week after taking victory on the ERC round in Latvia. The Finn will be one of only three World Rally Car drivers running DMACK tyres this week.

Fellow Fiesta RS drivers, Thierry Neuville, Juho Hanninen and Henning Solberg are all well capable of springing a surprise or two in Sweden. And donâ€™t rule out Loebâ€™s long term Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo, who finished fourth in 2010. Heâ€™ll be driving a Citroen DS3 in Sweden.

Other highlights to watch out for in Sweden - and Norway - include Fiesta pilot Nasser Al-Attiyah, fresh from a record-breaking tenth victory at the Qatar International Rally, and the man who finished runner-up, Citroen DS3 driver Khalid Al Qassimi. Michal Kosciuszko and Jarkko Nikara will be driving MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Cars prepared by Motorsport Italia and Prodrive respectively.

Beyond the thrilling battle for overall honours, Rally Sweden is also a round of the FIA WRC 2 Championship. Opening event winner Sepp Wiegand will be on the hunt for another maximum score in his Skoda S2000 and 11 other drivers will be out to stop him. Wiegand can expect some tough competition from winter rally specialists including multiple Norwegian rally champion Anders Grondal (Impreza) and Eyvind Brynildsen (Fiesta RCC). Sadly local hero Per-Gunnar Andersson wonâ€™t get the chance to compete after delays securing parts for the Satria Neo S2000 forced Proton to withdraw his entry.

On this rally last year

in 2012 Jari-Matti Latvala took his second Rally Sweden victory with a superb drive on the snow. The Ford team leader pulled clear of a close-fought early lead battle in which Mads Ostberg, Petter Solberg, Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen all featured, and for most of the weekend was in a straight head-to-head with his former team-mate Hirvonen.

Latvala eventually managed to build a cushion over the Citroen, and had a big enough advantage that even a puncture three stages from the end today did not cost him the lead. Hirvonen claimed second, with Ostberg third after a late puncture dropped Solberg to fourth. A trip off the road, a spin and a puncture conspired to leave Loeb back in sixth behind the impressive Evgeny Novikov.

Tyre facts:

- Both WRC suppliers will introduce new evolutions of their WRC snow tyre for the specialist conditions of Rally Sweden. Michelin will supply its new X Ice North 2 tyre to the majority of crews, while DMACK will be offering an updated version of its DMG-ICE.
- Both the Michelin and DMAC tyres are each fitted with 384 metal studs (20 per linear 10cm, in compliance with the FIA regulations). Each WRC driver will be allocated 32 tyres for the rally.
- The tyres are just 195mm wide to help them cut through loose snow to the hard surface underneath.
- Unlike the opening round of the season, Rallye Monte-Carlo, where there were four different choices, Rally Sweden has only one tyre option and no choices.
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Crashton · Feb 4, 2013

I'll be rooting for Jari-Matti Latvala & the VW team. Should be a good rally.

Steve · Feb 5, 2013

Gronholm master class for Kosciuszko (WRC.com)

05 Feb 13

Michal Kosciuszko had the benefit of some of the best driver training in the business on Monday when double World Champion Marcus Gronholm gave him a Rally Sweden master class.

Gronholm joined the Lotos WRC Team at their Sweden pre-event test in Likenas to help Michał with the particular style of driving needed for Sweden and to test the teamâ€™s Motorsport Italia-prepared MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car.

After riding with Kosciuszko, 27, Gronholm, a five-time Rally Sweden winner, had words of encouragement for the PWRC graduate: â€œMichal hasn't got much experience in these conditions, but I have to say he really isn't bad! He's still got something to learn, but it's a question of time and experience now to learn to feel the grip and the braking points.

â€œMichal's keen to learn and pick up everything I can tell him from my experience. He listens. One day isn't long enough to cover everything though and he also has to test his set-up. We didn't have much time, but everything was really OK!"

Kosciuszko said: "It's amazing to drive my MINI WRC in such conditions with the beautiful roads here in Sweden covered in snow and ice and such a legendary driver who can immediately show me where to gain time using his incredible experience.

â€œFor me, driving on snow is virtually an unknown quantity. I haven't done it for seven years in conditions, which demand winter tyres! I'm impressed with the MINI's grip level, but I need to learn how to use it."
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Steve · Feb 5, 2013

Out on stage recce today the report that comes with this photo says "complete white out" and "could not make out the edges of road"...looks set to be a traditional Swedish rally.

Crashton · Feb 5, 2013

It will be easier when the stages are lined with Scandinavian's.

Steve · Feb 5, 2013

A few more. One quote: "Best conditions for years."

peep · Feb 5, 2013

I love watching Rally -- I might have missed it in apost above and if i did, i am sorry but will it be onTV?

Crashton · Feb 5, 2013

peep said: ↑

I love watching Rally -- I might have missed it in apost above and if i did, i am sorry but will it be onTV?
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You can catch the action right here on Steve TV. His coverage is better that we used to get on Speed channel.

peep · Feb 5, 2013

Crashton said: ↑

You can catch the action right here on Steve TV. His coverage is better that we used to get on Speed channel.
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Lol !! That is good to know !! Thanks Steve in advance for the great coverage !

peep · Feb 6, 2013

WOW !!:eek6:

Crashton · Feb 6, 2013

That sure gets the old blood pumping!

peep · Feb 7, 2013

old81 said: ↑

Anyone want to jump on a plane and see this in person? Wish!
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That has always been on my list !!!

Steve · Feb 7, 2013

The tiny Swedish bomb! (best-of-rallylive.com)

06/02/2013 7:30 pm

Shortly after Alpine-Renaultâ€™s sensational one-two-three finish on the 1973 Rallye Monte-Carlo, Saab produced an equally resounding result when Stig Blomqvist and Per Eklund claimed first and second places in Sweden with the Saab 96 V4.

It was practically 40 years ago to the day (February 18, 1973) that a front-wheel drive car won a round of the World Rally Championship for the first time when a Saab 96 V4 triumphed in front of home fans.

It wasnâ€™t the first major rally success for the model, however. Previous victories included the RAC Rally in 1960, 1961 and 1962, the Rallye Monte-Carlo in 1962 and 1963, and the 1000 Lakes in 1960, 1963 and 1964, well before the WRCâ€™s creation in 1973, and mostly in the hands of Erik Carlsson.

The first homologated Saab 96 in 1960 was powered by a two-stroke, three-cylinder 38hp engine fed by Solex carburettors. In March 1963, a 52hp version was introduced based on the Saab 96 Sport. By this time, however, its rival â€“ the Mini Cooper S â€“ already boasted 70hp!

The Group 2 Saab 96 V4 was homologated at the end of 1966, now sporting the 1,498cc V4 from the Ford Taunus. It is this basic version that the Swedish make would campaign in the WRC until 1976, but with some changesâ€¦

The 1973 Swedish Rally was the second round of that yearâ€™s world championship. The event featured an evolution version of the Saab 96 powered by an American 1,815cc Ford engine with twin Weber carburettors. Cars were entered for local aces Stig Blomqvist, Per Eklund, Roger Johansson, Stig Abrahamsson and Mats Andersson.

They counted on the agility, narrow tracks and big wheels of the Saab 96 V4 (170hp/815kg) in their bid to ward off rivals like the Alpine-Renault A110, Renault 12 Gordini, Volvo 142S, Lancia Fulvia HF and Fiat 124 Spyder.

The use of studs was not authorised for the 1973 event which started in Karlstad on February 15 and which was dominated by Stig Blomqvist and Per Eklund who scored a one-two finish ahead of Jean-Luc ThÃ©rierâ€™s Alpine-Renault A110. On the same event three years later, Eklund and Blomqvist secured another one-two finish and one final WRC win with the last version (1,933cc) of the diminutive Saab 96 V4.
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Crashton · Feb 7, 2013

That was quite the win. By then the SAAB 96 was getting very long in the tooth. Although their driver's were not.

Love those old SAAB's!

Steve · Feb 7, 2013

I think I see evidence of rear end snowdrift steering damage. :biggrin5:

Crashton · Feb 7, 2013

Steve said: ↑

Memories of Sweden. By George Donaldson. (MaxRally.com)
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Great story of a time when small budgets could do big things & rally was a real endurance event. Just finishing that event was a very big thing.

Crashton · Feb 7, 2013

Countryguy, nothing runs like a Deere FTW!

Crashton · Feb 7, 2013

^^^ :lol:

He may have been there because of the Deere sponsored Countryguy.

Steve · Feb 7, 2013

All flights to Hagfors cancelled! (best-of-rallylive.com)

07/02/2013 10:27 am

Every year since 2001, Rally Sweden has established its Service Park along the runway of Hagfors Airport which is obviously closed for the occasion.

From 9pm, Saturday, February 2, 2013, until midday Tuesday February 12, all the regular NEXJet flights from and to Torsby and Stockholm Arlanda have been cancelled. The reason? HFS (Hagforsâ€™ IATA code) shuts down for rallying reasons!

The sight of motorhomes and trucks lined up along the runway of Hagfors Airport is one of Rally Swedenâ€™s trademarks, even though other famous motorsport events are based on working airfields, including Sebring and Silverstone, while the Rallye Monte-Carlo often used to set up camp at Tallard, near Gap.

â€œThe rally has used Hagfors Airport since 2001,â€ we are informed by a member of the organising team. â€œItâ€™s only a national airport, with just one or two flights per day, so we donâ€™t have too much of a problem putting it out of action for the rally, during which time it is only open to duly accredited helicopters. I am pleased to say we enjoy an excellent working relationship with Swedenâ€™s aviation authority, Luftfartsverkt.â€

Hagfors Airport was inaugurated in 1987 and has since gradually expanded. Today, its landing strip is 1,510 metres long and 30 metres wide, which means it can accommodate average-sized airplanes. Runway 18/36 is kept clear all year long, whatever the weather, and NEXJet uses it for daily flights to and from Torsby and Stockholm Arlanda. The facilities are frequently used by charter companies, too, as well as by privately-owned or rented aircraft. There is also a local air club.

The motorhomes used by the rally teams park the full length of the runway which is famously exposed to icy blizzards. Needless to say, strolling idly around the service park is not a favourite pastime during Rally Sweden, although basing the event here does have its advantagesâ€¦

â€œWe handle around 30 helicopters during the rally, for our own organisational and safety needs, as well as those employed for VIP operations. We also use some of the airportâ€™s facilities, including a building which houses the â€˜remoteâ€™ press office. All we ask is that the teams donâ€™t make holes in the tarmac to tie down their awnings, etc., and that they take care not to damage the landing lights which run along each side of the runway. Thereâ€™s a fine of SEK4,000 (â‚¬470)for any light that is broken.â€
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Steve · Feb 7, 2013

Hirvonen: â€œFord builds a stronger car than Volkswagenâ€ (MaxRally.com)

by Giles Wade / 7th February 2013

According to Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen, Ford builds a stronger car than Volkswagen.

â€œLook at what happened on the Monte Carlo Rally,â€ commented Hirvonen. â€œEvgeny Novikov and Jari-Matti Latvala both went off on the same corner but Evgeny lost just one wheel on the Fiesta, whereas Jari-Matti lost all fourâ€¦â€

But Hirvonen thinks that this weekendâ€™s Rally Sweden will be a very different story, for him at least. â€œIn Monte Carlo I was able to take a more tactical approach; you can afford to do that,â€ he said. â€œHere though you have to be right on the pace and able to fight for the win from the beginning.â€

Hirvonen â€“ who clearly has a keen interest in how strong they build rally cars these days â€“ tested the strength of his own car before the start of the season, by crashing his DS3 WRC comprehensively in testing before the start of Monte Carlo. He blames that for a comparatively lacklustre performance, but there wonâ€™t be a repeat of it in Sweden. â€œI think that accident affected my confidence a bit,â€ he said. â€œHere weâ€™re in a different situation: Iâ€™ve got another year in the car under my belt and that always helps to make a difference.â€

The Finn â€“ a two-time winner in Sweden â€“ is well aware of the commentatorsâ€™ curse though. â€œMaybe I shouldnâ€™t have said that,â€ he reflected. âœIâ€™m probably going to rip all four wheels of my car nowâ€¦â€
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