The organisers of the Rally Norway have released the details of the full route for their debut event in the
FIA World Rally Championship, which will run from February 16-18 2007.
Unlike the candidate event that was run earlier this year, the event will feature more stages, as it will now last for three-days.
"From the start/finish in Hamar, the special stages will run northeast of Oslo, the capital of Norway, from the mountainous region of Lillehammer in the north to the forests of Kongsvinger in the south," read a statement from the organisers. "During Friday, Saturday and Sunday, drivers will cover 343.76 kilometres in 18 special stages. A unique indoor service park in the Viking ship stadium, Vikingskipet, will add to the experience by giving spectators easy access to their rally idols."
Rally Norway clerk of the course, Stig Rune Kjernsli is confident the event will be a success: "Keeping various arena ideas in mind, the whole package of special stages for Rally Norway has been devised to give the visitors an unforgettable rally memory. It is even better organised and better prepared than the candidate event," he noted.
"As a service park, 'The Vikingskipet' is unique for the WRC drivers and spectators. The spectators will be brought close to the stars and can monitor the service from stall seats.
"In addition, Rally Norway will be the only WRC round with special stages on ice and snow in the mountains. The Mountain test [SS11 and SS15], in the treeless mountain area southeast of Lillehammer, is being driven both Saturday and Sunday. It offers a new experience and adds a completely new dimension to the WRC.
"Special stages on snow and ice are rare in the WRC. Those in Norway will demonstrate the difference between us and other rounds, especially when the television pictures are broadcast around the world. We have developed something here in Norway that will interest a broad rally audience; those who want to see the cars in and around the cities and those who want to experience the rally deep in the snow-filled forests."
The complete event timetable for the Rally Norway is as follows:
Friday 16 February:SS1 Løten 28.44 km
SS2 Haslemoen 11.60 km
Service Vikingskipet
SS3 Løten 2 28.44 km
SS4 Grue 14.10 km
Service Kirkenær
SS5 Opaker 14.87 km
SS6 Kongsvinger 13.80 km
SS7 Finnskogen 22.30 km
Refuelling Kirkenær
SS8 Kirkenær 5.00 km
Service Vikingskipet
Total Leg 1 distance competitive: 138.55 km
Saturday 17 February:SS9 Elverum 41.95 km
SS10 Terningmoen 11.03 km
Service Vikingskipet
SS11 Mountain 1 24.35 km
SS12 Lillehammer 5.00 km
Refuelling Kristinshall
SS13 Ringsaker 25.78 km
SS14 Hamar 1 2.51 km
Service Vikingskipet
Total Leg 2 distance competitive: 110.62 km
Sunday 18 February:SS15 Mountain 2 24.35 km
SS16 Ringsaker 2 25.78 km
Service i Vikingskipet
SS17 Elverum 2 41.95 km
SS18 Hamar 2 2.51 km
Service Vikingskipet
Total Leg 3 distance competitive: 94.59 km
Total event distance 1122.17 km (competitive 343.76 km)
