Definition
Rally Sweden is an annual rallying event held in Sweden as part of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). It is one of the few rallies in the championship conducted primarily on snow and ice-covered roads, making it unique within the WRC calendar.
Overview
The 2012 Rally Sweden was the second round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship season. It took place from February 9 to February 12, 2012, with stages concentrated in the Värmland region of western Sweden, near the town of Karlstad. The rally is known for its challenging winter conditions, including snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures, requiring specialized winter tires and specific driving techniques.
This edition of Rally Sweden featured top WRC drivers competing in high-performance rally cars adapted for snow, such as the Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Citroën DS3 WRC, and Mini John Cooper Works WRC. The event included multiple special stages on forest roads, many of which were lined with snow banks, offering both grip and risk in navigating high-speed corners.
The 2012 Rally Sweden was won by Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland, driving for the Ford World Rally Team. This marked Latvala's first victory of the 2012 season and his second win at Rally Sweden, following his 2010 triumph. Mikko Hirvonen placed second, and Petter Solberg finished third.
Etymology/Origin
The term "Rally Sweden" originates from the event's role as the Swedish round of the World Rally Championship. It was first held in 1950 as part of the Swedish Rally, originally a summer event known as the Rally to the Midnight Sun. It transitioned to a winter format in 1965 and became part of the inaugural WRC season in 1973. The inclusion of the year "2012" denotes the specific edition of the rally held during that calendar year.
Characteristics
- Surface: Snow and ice-covered gravel roads
- Location: Värmland, Sweden (primarily around Karlstad)
- Duration: Four days (February 9–12, 2012)
- Organizing body: FIA World Rally Championship
- Notable feature: Use of studded winter tires for traction
- Number of special stages: 20 competitive stages, totaling approximately 349.38 km of stage distance
- Ceremonial start: Held in Karlstad, with stages radiating into the surrounding forested areas
Related Topics
- FIA World Rally Championship (WRC)
- Jari-Matti Latvala
- Ford Fiesta RS WRC
- Winter motorsport
- Rallying on snow and ice
- Swedish Rally history
- Karlstad – host city of the event’s service park
Accurate details regarding specific stage names, time controls, or support category results are available through official FIA and WRC archival sources.