Rally Sweden secures a new two-year WRC agreement
Rally-VM has announced that Rally Sweden will remain on the calendar for the next two years according to a new agreement.
Rally Sweden returned to the WRC schedule this year but at a new location in the city of Umeå after the covid-19 pandemic forced the event into last year.
The event’s move about 800 km north of its spiritual home in Karlstad was made to ensure that the competitors would face full snow after the rally where the snow has been limited in the Värmland region of the country.
As a result, it also provided a whole host of completely new stages for the crews to tackle, which created an exciting battle for the victory that was eventually snagged by Toyota’s Kalle Rovanpera.
The WRC declared the move north successful, leading to the announcement of a new contract to remain on the 2024 championship schedule.
“This agreement secures Sweden’s place in the FIA World Rally Championship for the next two years and protects the future of the WRC’s only pure winter rally,” said WRC event manager Simon Larkin.
The move north to Umeå has proved to be a resounding success and we thank the Västerbotten region for the support and the warm welcome they have given to the championship this week.
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: Toyota Racing
Rally Sweden’s CEO Glenn Olsson added: “I think we have delivered well above everyone’s expectations. We have had fantastic roads, good weather, good TV pictures and many have told us that our officials had done a fantastic job out there.
“The FIA, WRC Promoter and the teams are all happy, and everyone thinks it has been the right decision to move to Umeå, as a city suits Umea very well for a WRC event.
“It is also clear that there will be a continuation for Rally Sweden and Umea in the WRC circus as WRC Promoter and Rally Sweden have agreed on a new two-year agreement.
“Being able to end a weekend like this by being able to tell that we have extended our contract by two years obviously feels absolutely fantastic.”