Subaru's lead driver
Petter Solberg has contested the event six times previously. Finishing third last year, and with experience of winter competition gained in his native Norway, Solberg is looking for another podium result this time in Sweden.
On his second rally with the SWRT, Stephane Sarrazin will drive the other points-nominated Impreza WRC2004, while Subaru's latest signing
Chris Atkinson will make his WRC competitive debut in a third identical car. Neither Atkinson nor Sarrazin has competed on snow before, and both will be seeking to learn more about the unique event over the weekend.
Marlboro Peugeot Total:
[Marcus Gronholm, car #7 and Markko Martin, car #8].
Peugeot will enter a third car in Sweden, with Daniel Carlsson joining regulars, Marcus Gronholm and
Markko Martin.
Gronholm is one of the pre-event favourites, having won the event three times already - in 2000, 2002 and 2003 - as well as finishing second last year.
"It's effectively my favourite rally," said the Finn, "especially when the conditions are really wintry. It's very fast and that suits my style, perhaps more so even than Rally Finland.
"Feeling the studs bite into the ice as the car powers from one high speed corner to the next is particularly exhilarating. Maybe it's the pleasure I get that makes me feel so good and enables me to go so quickly here and I am not expecting it to be easy, but my objective will be to win."
Mitsubishi Motor Sports:
[Harri Rovanpera, car #9 and Gianluigi Galli, car #10]
Harri Rovanpera will be joined by Gianluigi Galli in Sweden, and following Gilles Panizzi's third place finish on the opening round, the Rallye Monte Carlo, the team is buzzing...
"After the test we can say we have the best set-up available to us, but at the moment it’s obviously difficult to know exactly what the conditions will be like," said Rovanpera. "With proper winter conditions, ice and snow, it is a great rally to drive and one that’s also really fast. After Monte-Carlo I’m feeling confident for the future."
Skoda Motorsport:
[Mattias Ekstrom, car #11 and Janne Tuohino, car #12]
