57th Swedish Rally Dates: February 7-10, 2008 Special Stages: 20 Competitive kilometres: 340.24kms Total distance: 1,440.08kms This year, Rally Headquarters and the Service Park are set up in a Karlstad racetrack, located beside a laje in central Sweden.The SuperSpecial stage is also run here. Competition takes place on winding roads in the hill country around Hagfors, about 100kms north of Karlstad. Five stages not used in recent years are scheduled to be back on the agenda this time around. With temperatures reaching as low as -25 degrees Celsius, ice and snow cover the unpaved roads. Located in Northern Europe, the Swedish Rally presents the ultimate challenge amongst WRC events, with cruel and severe twists along the way. Snow, long-distance, high-speed stages with the ultimate the elements have to offer provide to intensify this preeminently difficult rally. First held in 1950, the Swedish Rally originally had different start and finish points because of the long-distance nature of the event. It was known as 'The Rally to the Midnight Sun'. For the last several years, the central Swedish town of Karlstad has served as the rally's base. Point 1: Studs As the sole WRC event designated a 'snow' rally, spikes are attached to the tyres. Restrictions mean the longest possible studs (spike pins) allowed are 2cms. Their sole purpose is to grip the snow. Point 2: Using the snow banks While cornering on this specialised event, time is gained by pushing the car's nose into the snow bank, thus moving the centre of gravity. It is a technique usable on this event only. Here's where the advantage lies for those hailing from the Scandanavian peninsula. Of course, this is exclusively a rally technique and mimicry is taboo. Point 3: Colin's Crest As well as the high-speed nature of the event, the Swedish Rally is also known for its long jumps. This year, SS11/14, the Vargasen stage commemorates the late Colin McRae and his heroic jumps in a SUBARU, and to celebrate his performances, the jump point will be called 'Colin's Crest'. This year, the driver who records the longest jump will be awarded a special prize. The first time SUBARU controlled this rally was in 1997. Local man and conditions expert Kenneth Erikson took back-to-back victories in the first year of World Rally Cars when he won the opening round in Monte Carlo and then Sweden for SUBARU. Likewise in 2005, another Northern European, this time Norway's Petter Solberg achieved his greatest wish of winning the Swedish Rally also. It was the last event of the Impreza WRC 2004, and the victory was all the more sweet as the 2nd-placed car finished over two minutes behind. 1997 Winner Kenneth Erikson Impreza WRC97 2005 Winner Petter Solberg Impreza WRC2004