9 - 12 February 2023
Service Park : Uema
https://rallysweden.com/
Rally Sweden Stage Maps
Rally Sweden 2023 REsults
WRC
WRC 2
1 . Tänak Ott / m.Järveoja / MSPORT ford WRT
2. C. Breen / j.fulton / MSport ford WRT
3. T. Neuville / M. Wydaeghe / Hyundai MS
1. O. Solberg / E. Elliot / Škoda Fabia RS
2. o.C. Veiby / E Torstein / Volkswagen Polo GTI
3. S. Pajari / Škoda Fabia RS / M. ENNI
WRC Rally Sweden 2023 Overview
WRC Rally Sweden 2023 retains its traditional place as the second rally of the season and the only full snow rally on the calendar.
Due to a continuing lack of snow in the long-time base of Karlstad the rally moved north to the northern Swedish city of Umeå which has a better snow record. The lack of snow not only made the rally look more like a gravel event but the studded tyres caused significant damage to the roads when they were not frozen and with a good layer of snow on them. In turn the freezing gravel rips the studs out the skinny Pirelli Sottozero tyres leaving the cars with no traction.
With the move of the Rally Sweden route comes the loss of the well know Colins Crest jump (named after Colin McRae), however, we now have a true winter rally again with good snow covering and snow banks the drivers can lean the cars into without the worry of them giving way as was happening in the milder conditions. Despite this being a snow rally the studded tyres along with the help of the snow banks make Rally Sweden one of the faster rallies on the calendar.
Historically the specialist surface of Rally Sweden has been known to be very hard for non-nordic drivers, however, the last 10 years or so have been dominated by these drivers, starting with Loeb in 2004 becoming the first non-nordic driver to win it and then being won by drivers such as Ogier, Neville, Tanak and Evans. Rovenperra won last year’s 2022 edition and it remains to be seen if his meteoric rise to the top continues in 2023 to hold off the competition.
Red Barn Arena
This year features an easily accessible area, The Red Barn Arena. This features the Umea stage, on Saturday evening and again as the Wolf Power Stage on Sunday afternoon. The area is ideal for families or people new to rallying and wanting to get to see the rally in a more easily accessible format. Large screens are present, enabling spectators to watch the whole stage. This super special stage will feature jumps and fast straights. Over the course of the weekend there is a whole host of events, displays and exhibits to keep spectators entertained, along with food and drink stalls.
There is parking available at the Red Barn Arena as well as a free shuttle bus from Umea.
