Sweden: The A-Z guide

The Rally of Sweden commences with a ceremonial start in the host town of Karlstad before moving 90 kilometres north to stages around a central Service Park in the town of Hagfors. The rally comprises seventeen stages, totalling 387 competitive kilometres.

The only true winter event of the WRC series, Sweden presents the teams with a series of tricky snow and ice covered stages that require absolute skill and accuracy to master. While it is not unusual for temperatures to plunge beyond -25ºC, full snow conditions are by no means guaranteed and drivers often have to contend with a mixture of hard packed snow, ice and some sections of loose gravel.

In full snow conditions and using the permitted studded tyres, this is one of the fastest events of the year. The deep snow banks that line the stages can be used by drivers to keep them on track like a bobsleigh. However, if the snow cover is poor then the packed ice and gravel can quickly damage the tungsten tipped studs, and drivers must strike a balance between outright speed and tyre conservation.

Following a ceremonial start in Karlstad on Thursday evening, the rally begins in earnest on Friday morning when crews travel to Hagfors for the first service. On Leg One they will tackle six stages, including Granberget, which at 44 kilometres is the longest of the event.

turday will see the drivers contest a further six stages on the treacherous roads, before battling it out on the final four tests on Sunday. The winning car is expected to cross the finish ramp back in Karlstad at 1705 hours on Sunday.