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As COVID-19 forced cancellation of 2021 edition of Swedish Rally, FIA had a readied set of reserve events to keep number of WRC rounds intact for the season and was thought to use those. Instead, they looked for another winter event and found one in Arctic Rally Finland.
Event was built upon firm foundations of Finnish national rally championship round with same name. In fact, 2021 national event had been run just a month before WRC version was held. Rally route ran over much the same roads used in national event but in opposite direction, thought to favour teams familiar with the event but also facilitating easy running of the event so hastily assembled.
Arctic Rally offered true winter conditions which so often have been lacking in Rally Sweden, held much further to the south.
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Tanak, Ott
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Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC
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121.66 km/h
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Rally is located far in the north where wintry conditions are assured and abundance of snow makes banks high and safe. Thierry Neuville enjoys wide, flowing road where average speeds are very high, in a typical Finnish fashion.
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Although jumps are not as frequent or as big as the ones in the traditional areas of both Rally Finland and Sweden, jumps can be found on Arctic rally route as well. Elfyn Evans demonstrates the technique.
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In the winter, northern days are short and some stages are run in dusk or in total darkness. White snow reflects light well so scenes lit by powerful rally car light pods are charmingly beautiful.
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Modern rally cars and tyres cut deep so despite good wintry conditions sparks are flying as studded spike tyres find gravel underneath the snow and ice.
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Driver wins
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Tanak, Ott (1)
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Manufacturer wins
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Hyundai (1)
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