Based in the central Swedish city of Karlstad, the event is a summer version of Sweden’s FIA World Rally Championship counter when it took place in the country’s Värmland region up until 2020.
Wed 07 Jun 2023
ERC fans to be treated to a right Royal speedfest
Fans attending the inaugural ERC Royal Rally of Scandinavia from 6 - 8 July will be treated a high-speed festival of fun for all the family.
Building on that great heritage, ERC Royal Rally of Scandinavia is essentially an all-new event with roads previously tackled in the height of winter now being readied to test some of the FIA European Rally Championship’s best drivers in the heat of the summer.
However, there’s also a focus on festivities with organisers planning a party-style rally featuring various activities and activations offering widespread appeal.
Karlstad and its famous Färjestads Trotting Track form the event’s hub with Free Practice, the Qualifying Stage and Shakedown taking place on the Bäck-Hult test on the afternoon of Thursday 6 July. The Karlstad Service Park will then host the start order selection and opening ceremony that evening.
Friday’s route heads east from the Karlstad Service Park to the opening Ölme stage with competitors then tackling the Lungsund, Ängebäckstorp and Mölnbacka stages. The morning loop is repeated in the afternoon following a visit to the Karlstad Service Park.
The deciding leg on Saturday takes crews west from the Karlstad Service Park for the Tomten, Tolita, Gårdsjö and Colin’s stage, named in memory of the late Colin McRae on containing the iconic Colin’s Crest jump. All stages will be repeated in the afternoon following a stop at the Karlstad Service Park with the second Colin’s run forming the Power Stage. The Karlstad Service Park will welcome fans to the After Rally and Podium Ceremony on Saturday evening.
ERC manager Iain Campbell has driven through the ERC Royal Rally of Scandinavia route and is full of praise: “The gravel is smooth, the corners are flowing, the speeds will be high and the smiles from the drivers at the end of the stages will be infectious. But as well as some truly fantastic stages, organisers are planning a real festival-style event with plenty to see and hear in Karlstad. It’s an event not to be missed.”
Access to the spectacular stages will be through advanced sales only and more information, including stage details, can be found here: https://ercroyalrally.com.
Prior to ERC Royal Rally of Scandinavia, Tet Rally Liepāja takes place in Latvia from 16 - 18 June.
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