Warm weather threatens Rally Sweden

The mildness of winter also affects Scandinavia. The specials of rally of Sweden are not all covered in snow a week before departure. If the weather conditions do not change by next Friday, the Swedish organizers risk finding themselves faced with enormous sporting but also financial problems for their event, access to which requires a fee for the public.

The absence of snow or ice could indeed lead to the cancellation of certain timed events, particularly those taking place in the afternoon. In order to protect the surface from possible degradation caused by nails, the earth forest trails must be at least frozen if not covered with snow for the authorization to run to be validated by the local authorities.

Already in the hot seat compared to the Promoter WRC who wants a “real” winter round (Canada, Russia and especially Japan which would be a candidate to re-enter the calendar), the Swedish rally must take place in good conditions in order to keep its place in the championship.

A drop in temperatures and snowfall are expected for the coming weekend. If confirmed, this good news for the rally would not help the affairs of the drivers who will start among the first, like Sébastien Ogier, forced to keep track for the benefit of those who follow.

Most of the teams carried out tests last week on bases located further north in the country where snow was present on the ground. The crews will have had two days of reconnaissance (Tuesday and Wednesday) to get a clear idea of ​​the road conditions they will encounter during the race unless the weather changes radically before the start.

The organizers of the Scandinavian event published a press release last night indicating that a meeting was to be held today with the FIA ​​and the WRC promoter to discuss the situation.

“It’s scary how quickly weather conditions and forecasts can change. We had a good layer of ice on our roads and a promising forecast this Friday. But, the situation has changed significantly. » explains Glenn Olsson, general director of Rally Sweden.

“Subzero temperatures and even snow are forecast for the rally weekend, but the big question is whether the roads will be frozen, as we need frozen roads to be able to sustain the event . The forecast calls for positive temperatures for reconnaissance on Tuesday and Wednesday and there is a risk that the roads will be damaged. » recognizes Johan Magnusson, responsible for the route of the event.

“It is above all the safety of competitors and spectators which decides whether a special stage is contested or not. If we find the road dangerous, we cannot use it. » explained Race Director Stig Rune Kjernsli.

Remember that the mild weather has already led to the cancellation of the Swedish Rally in 1990.