Rally Norway

Rally Norway was first included in the WRC in 2007. Like its sister event, Rally Sweden, Norway is an all-snow round, making it one of only two in the series.

Based only 250km from Rally Sweden's host town of Karlstad, Norway's snow covered stages are similar but generally narrower and more technical. Like Sweden, however, Norway is an extremely fast rally. The speed will have to be tempered with caution though. Roadside snow-banks will offer a cushion for the lack of grip, but as always, they may be as dangerous as they are helpful.

The rally is based from the town of Hamar which, along with its neighbouring city of Lillehammer, hosted much of the action of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. The Service Park is located inside the 'Viking Ship', a spectacular dome-like structure in Hamar which was used for indoor sports during the Olympics.

As with Finland and Sweden, Norway will allow local Scandinavian talent to shine on a surface that most WRC drivers experience only once a year.

New for 2009

Lots of snow - hopefully. The WRC's winter fixture in 2008 - Rally Sweden - was a slush-fest, with mild temperatures and very little snow. The 250km trip north from Karlstad to Hamar should provide temperatures as low as -30C and all but guarantee snow. This year's rally also marks the debut of Pirelli's new snow tyre. The steel spikes remain but the tread is as wide as a gravel tyre.