Rally Sweden marks the start of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship season, as well as the first competitive outing of the new generation of 1.6 litre turbo-charged World Rally Cars. In addition to the manufacturer entries from Citroën and Ford, five other one and two-car teams have currently registered for the Championship and, until MINI joins the series later in the year, the top of the leaderboard is likely to be dominated by Citroën DS3 and Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Cars. This year tyre regulations have also changed and all entrants in 4WD cars must use the tyres produced by the registered suppliers - Michelin and DMack - except for non-priority entrants driving 4WD Group N and 2WD cars.
This year’s regulations also stipulate the running of a live televised ‘Power Stage’, and this will be the first event where crews will compete for additional bonus points for finishing first, second and third on this one highlighted stage.
Rally Sweden is once again based in Karlstad with the service park located 85 kilometres away at Hagfors airport. Special stages run in the Värmland and Dalarna regions and, for the first time, the route will venture into neighbouring Norway. While the Løvhaugen stage (SS4/7) starts and finishes in Sweden, the bulk of the competitive action takes place in Norway. This is also the first time one WRC special stage has run in two countries.
The event is also the opening round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship, and no fewer than 14 of the 18 entrants currently registered have nominated Sweden as one of their qualifying rounds.
RALLY SWEDEN - ROUTE GRAPHICS
RALLY DATA
Total distance:
Stage distance:
Number of stages: |
2,059.89 km
351 km
22 |
RALLY SWEDEN TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA
|
Thursday 10 February
Shakedown
FIA press conference, Press Room, Rally HQ
Autograph session, Karlstad Trotting Course
Start and super special stage, Karlstad Trotting Course
Friday 11 February
First car arrives for re-group and Media Zone (Torsby)
First car arrives for mid-day service and Media Zone
First car arrives for end of day service and Media Zone
End of day press conference
Saturday 12 February
First car arrives for mid-day service and Media Zone
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
End of day press conference
Sunday 13 February
First car arrives for mid-day service and Media Zone
First car arrives for re-group and Media Zone (Hagfors City)
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
First car arrives for final Media Zone (Karlstad)
Prize-giving and podium ceremony
FIA press conference, Press Room, Rally HQ |
08:00 – 14:00 hrs
13.30 hrs
18:30 - 19:00 hrs
20:00 hrs
11:54 hrs
13:07 hrs
18:57 hrs
During the 45’ service
11:43 hrs
17:09 hrs
During the 45’ service
10:30 hrs
14:10 hrs
15:58 hrs
17:23 hrs
17:30 hrs
18:00 hrs |
FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
|
Thursday 10 February
Sunday 13 February |
Martin Semerád, FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
Patrik Flodin, FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
Sébastien Loeb, Citroën Total World Rally Team
Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
Mads Østberg, Stobart M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
Petter Solberg, Petter Solberg World Rally Team
Winning Production Car World Rally 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 in the service park on the WRC Stage at the earliest opportunity during the end of day 45 minute 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 45 minute service at the teams’ service areas.
STAGE CHART
Shortly after the finish of the event on Sunday, 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 at the following link: here.