Yet that's of little comfort when you have travelled thousands of kilometres from a sunburnt country!Having arrived in Sweden, however, the rally awaited, and with a group of at least a dozen other Aussies and Kiwis, we joined Rally Travel's spectator tour for the four days that lay head. Here are some of my observations ......
Norwegian fans were out in force at the pre-event shakedown.
To be honest though, aside from the fact that we were in Sweden, this could have been a WRC event anywhere in the world.After a visit to the snow-less service park in Torsby (near where Petter Solberg's team is based), it was back on the bus for the two-hour drive south to Karlstadt – the biggest city in the region, and the major financial supporter of the event. Again, because of the lack of snow, the opening stage had been converted from SS1 to "Shakedown 2", with all cars required to give a 'demonstration' run around the stage. Unfortunately for the fans, viewing is well back from the rally stage, which is run inside a trotting track. Sitting in a heated, glassed-in grandstand gave you warm and elevated viewing, but you were still a long way from the action. Watching the big screen gave you easily the best viewing.
Fans brave the icy conditions on the walk into the shakedown stage.
Carrying your own firewood into the forest is a key to keeping warm in Sweden.
WRC leader, Thierry Neuville, carves up a snow-less shakedown stage in his Hyundai.
Flying high - World Champion Ott Tanak eventually finished second.
Studded tyres on gravel aren't the best mix, but they grip well.
It was immediately clear how much more grip the cars had with their studded tyres when driving on solid ice. The speed and commitment of the drivers was something to behold.Once again the local fans had come prepared with firewood to keep them warm, although with the right clothes on, and with a lengthy walk to the stage, fans were more likely to be hot than cold. After the running of the stage it was back to the service park in Torsby, before the running of the fourth (and final) stage of the day, held in and around a quarry adjacent to the service park. This was another stage that was totally snow free, and while the action was impressive, fans behind the fences had a tough job seeing the action. It was another of several occasions over the course of the weekend when it was clear that spectating at European WRC rounds isn't everything it's cracked up to be.
Finn Kalle Rovanpera slides past the Swedish flag on the opening day of Rally Sweden.
It was a luckless event for Jari-Matti Latvala, with technical problems sidelining his Yaris.
Many nationalities were represented among the spectators.
Sebastien Ogier was pipped for a podium place by his team-mate, but not through lack of trying.
Local fans cook their dinner on an impromptu fireplace near the service park.
Locals ice skate on the frozen lake adjacent to the Finnskogen stage on Saturday.
It was a disappointing rally for Teemu Suninen in his Ford Fiesta.
Pirelli had their ice tyres on display, ready for their full WRC return in 2021.
It may have been 7.00am, but this didn't bother these fans ready for a long day in the forest.
We may have been in Sweden, but it was the Norwegians who were the most noticeable.
Peter Whitten (left) chats with WA duo Bob and Daymon Nicoli on a frozen lake. Photo: John Croutch
Combining work and pleasure, Peter Whitten captures the Rally Sweden action. Photo: Tim Allott
In fact, in my opinion, usual spectator numbers at Rally Australia were far superior to what we saw at any of the stages at Rally Sweden.It was an interesting observation, although undoubtedly the weather conditions played a significant part in this. Action on the stage was good to watch though, with all to play for as drivers fought for position and Toyota team-mates Ogier and Rovanpera battled for the final podium place. After half the field passed it was back on the bus to head for the service park and the podium finish. The large British contingent on the tour were keen to see Elfyn Evans spray the champagne, and rightly so.
By Sunday, rain had made the stages wet and muddy for the final Power Stage.
A disappointingly small crowd watches Japan's Takamoto Katsuta on the final stage, Likenas.
A Toyota team member was injured when a light pole fell on spectators before the podium finish.
Perhaps the proudest person at the rally finish was Elfyn Evans' father, Gwyndaf, a British rally legend in his own right.Gwyndaf hadn't been at the rally, but flew in on Sunday to be there as his son crossed the finish line for his second WRC victory, and his first for Toyota. The smile on his face reflected that of proud parents the world over as they watch their children achieve success. Soon it was time to return to the hotel for our post-tour dinner, where we caught up with new friends and old, and packed our bags ready for our onward journeys, or our trip home. Rally Sweden had been an incredible experience – certainly not the one I'd been hoping for, but an experience just the same. After all, it's a Rally Sweden that will be talked about for years and years to come, even if it is for all the wrong reasons.
Elfyn Evans prepress to celebrate his second WRC victory, and Scott Martin's first.
Proud as punch. Gwyndaf Evans was beaming with delight after son, Elfyn, took victory.
Toyota Gazoo Racing celebrate Elfyn Evans' 2020 Rally Sweden victory.
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