The World Rally Championship has already found a replacement after the cancellation of Rally Sweden. The Arctic Rally Finland, a similar event due to its winter characteristics, will be in charge of filling the gap. It will be played from February 26 to 28, 2021.
This will therefore be the second round on a calendar with twelve rallies. Finland will therefore host two events in 2021, as it will also hold its regular rally on gravel during the weekend of July 29 to August 1. Definitely great news.
In the chosen location, Rovaniemi, temperatures can drop below -30 ° C in February. Therefore, unlike last year with Sweden, the teams will be assured a good ration of snow, ice and cold for the scheduled dates. A real challenge for everyone.
The rally will start on Friday 26 February with a morning shakedown, before the opening of the stages that night. On Saturday there are three stages to be played (two passes). Sunday’s stage, as usual, will close with the Power Stage. The test will consist of ten stages, with 260 timed kilometers.
WRC promoter general manager Jona Siebel was impressed by promoter AKK Sports determination to organize the rally on short notice. “Since it was confirmed in December that Rally Sweden would not take place, we have been working hard with AKK Sports, the city of Rovaniemi and the enthusiasts there to try to make this event happen”, he tells WRC .com.
FIA Rally Director Yves Matton confirmed the following: “With the addition of Artic Rally Finland to the WRC calendar, we will experience a rally in a region that has always made us dream and where conditions promise to be optimal for a rallye of snow”.
