Rally Sweden received positive feedback regarding the implementation of this year’s competition despite fierce opposition from prevailing weather conditions. Security and arrangements were at the top despite a major reorganization of the arrangement.
Sweden and Karlstad are also not the only areas in the region with prevailing weather, the Baltics, Finland and Norway are also affected which has exacerbated the circumstances.
President of FIA, Jean Todt visited the rally to watch the competition but also thank the organiser for his tremendous effort to carry out the competition. A canceled event would have been devastating, not only for the Swedish organiser but also the World Rally Championship after Chile had previously suspended their participation.
Todt said in an interview with Sveriges Television that Sweden has a place in upcoming calendars with two years remaining on the current contract and confidence in a competent organiser. But for the organisation team an important point will be to snow-proof the event once again for the WRC to have a winter competition.
Previously the organiser had to work towards an increasingly northerly course. For 2017, they set off for Torsby, where the service location moved to access more northern parts of the region, which has helped in recent years.
With this year’s mild weather the otherwise snow-safe regions did not suffice, now the organiser has been given homework for the summer when their presentation for 2021 will be presented to the FIA, the promoter and the teams. They must then be able to convince the parties that their rally is snow-safe for 2021, as another year without snow would be devastating.
To Sveriges Television, Rally Sweden CEO, Glenn Olsson also confirmed that they are already looking to where the snow currently is. Currently areas exist, but they need to make sure it has access road networks for both competitors and the pressure from spectators.
