The second round of the FIA World Rally Championship is one of the fastest and most spectacular events on the calendar and is set in the snowy forests of Sweden and Norway. Beautiful scenery abounds, but competing in sub-zero temperatures requires specific preparation for both man and machinery. The cars, in particular, are equipped with special tyres that feature tungsten-tipped steel studs which provide amazing grip as they bite through the frozen road surface. For the crews, many can be seen wearing heated racing boots and anti-glare glasses, which provide greater definition of the snow covered landscape.
The entry list boasts 17 entrants in full-spec World Rally Car machinery, while a host of contenders have nominated Sweden as one of their point-scoring rounds in the FIA WRC 2 Championship. Just one Norwegian - Ole-Christian Veiby - has entered the WRC 3 Championship category in his two-wheel drive DS 3 R3-MAX but the youngster will doubtless be looking to impress on this dual-country event that spends one days in his homeland.
Stages 1, 14 and 21 - the Power Stage - will be broadcasted live on the international feed.
RALLY SWEDEN – ROUTE GRAPHICS
THE 2015 ROUTE
Approximately one-third of this year’s route is different to 2014 and of the 11 individual stages four are either new or modified. The event kicks off with the familiar super special stage in Karlstad on Thursday evening and Friday takes in all the modified stages, most of which are in neighbouring Norway. Crews will be back on familiar ground on Saturday with classic stages for the longest day of the event, while Sunday takes in just two different stages, the second run through Värmullsåsen closing the rally as the Power Stage.
RALLY DATA
Total distance: Stage distance: Number of stages:
1,441.57 km 308 km (21.4%) 21
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
The accreditation centre is located at Rally HQ, Karlstad CCC, Karlstad. The opening hours are:
Tuesday 10 February Wednesday 11 February Thursday 12 February
RALLY SWEDEN TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA
Wednesday 11 February Mandatory rally by rally photographers briefing, Photographers’ Room
Thursday 12 February Shakedown (P1 and P2 drivers) Shakedown (P1, P2 and P3 drivers) Shakedown (non-priority drivers) Meet the Crews, WRC Stage, Service Park, Hagfors FIA Press Conference, Press Room, Karlstad Autograph session, Super Special Stage, Karlstad Opening Ceremony and presentation of drivers, Super Special Stage Rally Start and SSS1
Friday 13 February First car arrives for regroup and Media Zone, Kirkenaer First car arrives for regroup and Media Zone, Karlstad First car arrives for final service and Media Zone, Hagfors End of day ‘Meet the Crews’, WRC Stage, Service Park, Hagfors
Saturday 14 February First car arrives for mid-day service, regroup and Media Zone, Hagfors First car arrives for final service and Media Zone, Hagfors Meet the Crews, WRC Stage, Service Park, Hagfors
Sunday 15 February First car arrives for mid-day service, regroup and Media Zone, Hagfors First car arrives for final service, Hagfors Prize-Giving and podium ceremony, Karlstad FIA Press Conference, Press Room, Karlstad
11:41 hrs 18:26 hrs 20:31 hrs During the 45’ service
11:03 hrs
16:41 hrs During the 45’ service
10:28 hrs
12:53 hrs From 15:00 hrs 16:30 hrs
FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
Thursday 12 February
Sunday 15 February
Yazeed Al-Rajhi, FIA WRC 2 Championship Pontus Tidemand, FIA WRC 2 Championship Ole-Christian Veiby, FIA WRC 3 Championship Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Motorsport Mads Østberg, Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team Ott Tänak, M-Sport World Rally Team Hayden Paddon, Hyundai Motorsport
Winning FIA WRC 3 Championship crew Winning FIA WRC 2 Championship crew Top three crews in the overall classification Representative of the winning entrant
ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
‘Meet the Crews’: On Friday and Saturday the top three drivers will attend a ‘Meet the Crews’ session for media and fans. This will take place on the Michelin Experience WRC Stage at the earliest opportunity during the 45’ service.
Autograph Signing Session: On Friday and Saturday selected crews will be available for a 15 minute autograph session. This will take place in the service park during the end of day service at the teams’ service areas.
FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS
The provisional classifications for all the WRC Championships can be found here.
STAGE CHART
Shortly after the finish of the event, a downloadable stage chart showing the progressive positions of the leading crews during the rally will be available. This is copyright free for editorial purposes and available here.