Gigi Galli will also take part in a privately entered Mitsubishi Lancer WRC, while other entrants at the wheel of a WRC car include: Janne Tuohino (
Citroen Xsara), Thomas Radstrom (
Subaru S10 WRC), Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia WRC), Kristian Sohlberg (Subaru Impreza WRC) and Thomas Schie (Ford Focus WRC).
1984 world rally champion, Stig Blomqvist will also feature in a Subaru Impreza STi WRX.
Schedule:
The rally follows a similar format to 2005 with all three legs based around the single service park of Hagfors, 80km north of the rally base in Karlstad, Varmland's capital city. The major difference is that although the start ceremony and finish remain in Karlstad, the overnight parc ferme will be in Hagfors.
All stages except one will be used twice and there will be no new tests, although several have slightly modified routes from 2005. Both opening days end with the near-40km Vargasen test, the longest of the rally, and a sprint test at Hagfors ski stadium. Drivers face 19 stages in total covering 349.02km in a route of 1441.16km.
Hot tip:
Marcus Gronholm is the 'man on form' after his success at the Principality. He will start as the favourite but don't rule out
Petter Solberg - or
Sebastien Loeb.
Last year:
Petter Solberg won the event last year taking the victory by over 2 minutes.
Markko Martin finished second, while
Toni Gardemeister completed the podium, with Harri Rovanpera and
Henning Solberg fourth and fifth respectively. There were only three 'works' retirements - namely Marcus Gronholm, Sebastien Loeb and Janne Tuohino.
