"At the beginning of the week we want to successfully complete a test run using special Sweden studs," said team boss, Armin Schwarz. "It is also important to note that we will not have to modify the car we are testing with, since both Mattias and Andreas will compete in the 2005 version of the Skoda Fabia WRC according to
FIA regulations. Our primary goal is to have both cars finish the rally. Everything else will follow."
Ekstrom meanwhile is eager to finish in the points and he has plenty of experience of competing on his home rally, having contested the event five times to date, finishing tenth overall last year in a Fabia WRC, while he won the production class in 2004.
"I am very motivated for this year's event," said the 2004 DTM champion. "I know the car and the stages as well. Consequently it should be possible to improve last year's result and finish in the points."
Junior WRC:
In the Junior WRC a number of drivers have opted to contest this event - although the official
Citroen C2 backed drivers, including reigning Junior champion,
Daniel Sordo and Kris Meeke will not take part. They have decided not to nominate this event as one of their points scoring rounds. Sordo will still contest the event though, but in a Citroen Xsara WRC.
Amongst the front runners and those likely to fight it out for the Junior victory will be
Suzuki trio - Per-Gunnar Andersson, Guy Wilks and
Urmo Aava.
There will also be a number of newcomers to the championship, including Patrick Sandell, Jaan Molder, Michal Kosciuszko, Jozef Beres, Andrea Cortinovis and Filippo Bordignon.
Other significant entries:
Around 67 crews have entered the Uddeholm Swedish Rally. Amongst the other significant runners Kronos Racing and the
Stobart VK team will both enter an additional car - namely for Daniel Sordo (Citroen Xsara WRC) and
Luis Perez Companc (Ford Focus WRC 04) respectively.
