Archive for the ‘Swedish Rallying’ Category
Friday, August 6th, 2010
Russian finance man and Spyker investor Vladimir Antonov with co-driver Denis Giraudet driving a SAAB 99 in Midnattssolsrallyt earlier this summer. Foto: Mikael Hjerpe
According to Autosport.com, the loose rumours about SAAB thinking about a comeback into the WRC has now went on to real talks with the WRC organisers and the TV promotor North One.
The car models tipped to be used by the Swedish brand is 9-1 or 9-2 and the engine would probably come from BMW, that has already developed the 1.6L engine for the new MINI team entering the championship from 2011.
The rumours about a comeback into the WRC first started when Spyker was introduced as a potential buyer of SAAB from General Motors – probably much based on Spykers sporty profile and the fact that the brand had a big and expensive, but not very successful, team in Formula 1 just a few years ago. Also, SAAB MD Jan Åke Jonsson and Spyker MD Viktor Mueller recently took park in the classical Mille Miglia rally in one Saab 93 each. The Russian finance man and Spyker investor Vladimir Antonov wasn’t late to follow them and entered the classical Swedish competition Midnattssolsrallyt in a SAAB 99 in July (see photo above). Considering SAAB’s heritage in the rallying circus, one could at least hope for a better success in the World Rally Championship than in Formula 1, despite the economical troubles that is still very much a reality to the company.
Autosport’s sources claims that Spyker representatives has already been speaking to the WRC organisers and North One Sport, and will continue the talks in connection to Rallye de France in October. However, North One MD Simon Long refuses to comment on any specific brands but admits that MINI’s decision “has given people a lot of confidence in the sport”.
Tags: bmw, general motors, mini, north one tv, rally, rally-vm, saab, spyker, sverige, sweden, världsmästerskap, world rally championship, WRC
Posted in Rally promotion and media coverage, Swedish Rallying, WRC | 4 Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Peter Zachrisson, from Säffle (the same small town where Daniel Carlsson, Tina Thörner, L-E Torph, Mats Karlsson and a lot of other Swedish rally people come from), is doing his first start in this years Swedish Championship this weekend. I don’t often to write about the Swedish Championship – but it happens and Peter really is a fresh wind so…
In today’s NWT Peter tells that he has installed active differentials and paddle gearshift in his car – a Volvo 940(!!!). That’s quite amazing!
So, now you think: “Who cares about Zachrisson?”. Peter had a few OK chances a some years ago doing the Swedish Rally and planning an international career, but sadly it never really happened for him because of financial trouble. However, Peter is a hell of a driver and I tell you – watch this video, and then you’ll care. Especially – listen to the sound when he passes in front of the camera:
Thanks to Adielssonmotorsport for the video.
Tags: daniel carlsson, lars-erik torph, mats karlsson, peter zachrisson, rally-sm, swedish championship, tina thörner, volvo 940
Posted in National Rallying, Swedish Rallying, Video | No Comments »
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
I happened to be on SS21 Värmullsåsen 2 in Rally Sweden at the same spot where Henning Solberg and Manfred Stohl went off back in 2006 (that time I think the stage was called Sundsjön). The place proved to be dramatic even this time, when Peter van Merksteijn parked his car quite a bit off the road in the right hand bend at the spot. He was lucky that there was an army of Finns, Swedes and others armed with everything from shovels to ropes ready to assist. Below is a few of my photos from the off. A larger Rally Sweden gallery incl. more photos from the off and a lot of other things will come later – and so will my reflections from the weekend…
All photos are taken by Rasmus Bjerén and protected by copyright. If you wanna share them, please link to this post and do not copy the image or link directly to it! 
Tags: 2010, crash, henning solberg, manfred stohl, off road, peter van merksteijn sr, photo, rally, rally sweden, ss21, värmullsåsen
Posted in Swedish Rallying, WRC | No Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Here are a few photos from tonights run of SS1 – Karlstad Super Special Stage. Thanks to Mikael Hjerpe for those images – and please do not copy/reproduce them. If you wanna share them, place a link to this post instead!
Fireworks at the opening ceremony of the rally where H.R.H. Prince Carl Philip waved off the cars.
Some works with a car going on besides the stage.
Plenty of spectators in the cold at the superspecial.
Henning Solberg attacking at the stage.
Henning stopped and recieving the cheers from the spectators.
Mikko Hirvonen rushing in front of the camera. The Finn set the third fastest time at the stage.
A group N Impreza on the stage.
Tags: ceremonial start, karlstad super special stage, opening, rally sweden, ss1, super special, WRC
Posted in Swedish Rallying, WRC | 1 Comment »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Just a few minutes ago at the ceremonial start of Rally Sweden…
Thanks to Mikael Hjerpe for this!
Tags: 2010, ceremonial start, rally sweden, Video
Posted in Swedish Rallying, WRC | No Comments »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
It looks like this…
Right now at the Karlstad Super Special Stage, 30 minutes before the start... Photo: Mikael Hjerpe
Tags: 2010, ceremonial start, ceremony, färjestadstravet, karlstad super special stage, opening, photo, rally sweden
Posted in Swedish Rallying, WRC | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Here are a few photos from the scrutineering this evening. All photos are taken by Mikael Hjerpe, big thanks to him!
P-A Sääv's Skoda Fabia S2000 in scrutineering.
Eyvind Brynhildsen's Skoda Fabia S2000 in scrutineering.
Car's waiting for scrutineering outside Svensk Bilprovning in Karlstad.
Mads Östberg's Subaru Impreza WRC.
Patrik Flodin's Subaru.
Patrik Flodin himself...
Journalists and drivers waiting at the scrutineering.
Tags: eyvind brynhildsen, mads östberg, p-a sääv, patrik flodin, photos, rally sweden, s2000, scrutineering, skoda fabia super2000, subaru, subaru impreza wrc
Posted in S-WRC / WRC Cup, Swedish Rallying, WRC | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Here are two fresh videos from PG Andersson’s test yesterday with the Skoda Fabia Super2000 in Norway. This Monday was PG’s only test day with the Skoda and the team, Czech based JM Racing, before Rally Sweden. The team has brought six men to Sweden, including three mechanics, one team manager, one engineer and one coordinator. PG himself brings in his regular mechanics “Pitan” and “Henke”.
Thanks to Hedlund80 for the videos.
Tags: 2010, henke, jm engineering, jm racing, norway, per gunnar, pg andersson, pitan, rally sweden, s2000, skoda fabia super2000, test, Video
Posted in Rally testing, S-WRC / WRC Cup, Swedish Rallying, Video | No Comments »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Some of Sandell's new livery exposed at the successful test in Norway. Photo: James Holms
Patrik Sandell with co-driver Emil Axelsson have spent the day testing on snow in Norway with their car for the 2010 season, the Red Bull Skoda Fabia Super2000.
Sandell himself said at the test:
- We’re doing just fine. It was good to do a rally in Norway last weekend, so we didn’t have to start at zero now. We are doing some small adjustments to the dampers to find the right setup for Rally Sweden, but the feeling is really good. Since it has snowed so much this winter the roads will be narrower than in 2008, which will make the speed go down. However, it will still be a fast rally so we chose a fast test road to see have the Skoda behaves in full speed bends.
Patrik, who will drive in the new S-WRC / WRC Cup class, continues:
- The competition in the rally will be the best we have ever met. PG is driving exactly the same car on a wild card and will be incredibly fast, so he will probably be our biggest challenge. But even Prokop and Tuohino will be there fighting for the points, he concludes.
Tags: livery, norway, patrik sandell, rally sweden, red bull rally, s2000, skoda fabia super2000, test, testing
Posted in Rally testing, S-WRC / WRC Cup, Swedish Rallying | 1 Comment »
