Exciting Norwegian/Swedish World Championship cooperation

Efforts to establish proper Norwegian/Swedish cooperation on a future WRC round have picked up speed. This year, a stage in Rally Sweden was driven in Norway. In 2012, at least three stages will be driven in the Kongsvinger/Grue area and remote service will be located in Kongsvinger.

But that’s not all. From 2013, the plan is to have much wider Norwegian/Swedish co-operation, and the Swedish organisers have confirmed their objective to have Erik Veiby join the board of Svenska Rallyt AB. Veiby is also chairman of Rally Norway AS.

Joint plan against FIA

The aim, both on the Norwegian and Swedish side, is to be awarded a WRC round for 2013, 2014 and 2015 this year.

“30 September is the deadline for submitting a so-called Sporting Plan and Business Plan to the FIA ​​for 2013. Here we will present a joint Swedish/Norwegian plan, which we are already in the process of drawing up”, Arild Antonsen said.

At a press conference in Karlstad recently, Lars Österlind, Chairman of Swedish Rallyt AB did not hide the fact that the aim was to secure a three-year agreement with the FIA ​​regarding a joint Swedish / Norwegian WRC round.

“FIA has signalled that it wants WRC rounds across national borders, and we would like to achieve this. We are pleased to have established cooperation with Norway, and are very positive about our future together,” ÖsterLind said.

Changes

Changes have been made to the management of Svenska Rallyt AB. Glenn Olsson has been appointed new General Manager, and Bertil Klarin is now the Clerk of the Course for the rally, which will have stages in both Sweden and Norway in February next year. Klarin is now working closely with Stig Rune Kjernsli on the course for the race in 2012.

“The plan is to start with a Super Special in Karlstad on Thursday evening, 9 February. On Friday, we will run three stages in Kongsvinger / Grue area and have remote service in Kongsvinger, before closing the day on the Swedish side”, Bertil Klarin said.

New Norwegian impetus

Co-operation with Sweden has also given new impetus to the Norwegian organisation. A General Meeting was recently held in Rally Norway AS where Erik Veiby was re-elected as Chairman.

Published: 2011-09-19 17:04