Rally Sweden:
five reasons to
get excited

1: Flying over Colin’s Crest

One of the most spectacular features of Rally Sweden is the Colin’s Crest jump located on Saturday’s Vargasen stage. Named in memory of the late Colin McRae, jumps are recorded and a special trophy handed out. Last year Gymkhana legend Ken Block earned the prestigious accolade for a leap of 37 metres in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC (pictured).

2: Sandell’s MINI adventure

The former Junior world champion gets his big break on his home round of the WRC when he makes his competition debut in a Prodrive-run MINI John Cooper Works WRC with backing from the new Sweden World Rally Team initiative. Sandell is a huge talent and richly deserves this opportunity.

3: Return to Norway

Norway was a big hit when it hosted its first WRC qualifier in 2007. And the country has produced several leading drivers including 2003 world champion Petter Solberg and emerging star Mads Ostberg. Day one’s action is contained almost entirely in Norway and the action is set to be electrifying.

4: Nasser is back

The WRC’s all-action hero is back after missing Rallye Monte-Carlo to contest the clashing Dakar Rally in South America. And he’s armed with a World Rally Car for the first time, entered by the new Qatar World Rally Team.

5: Racer Goransson steps up

After shining on his rally debut in Sweden 12 months ago, the circuit racer returns to Rally Sweden in a MINI John Cooper Works WRC. He showed great promise last year and could surprise again in 2012.