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Local Finnish news are reporting that the decision on a possible Arctic Winter Rally replacement for Sweden’s slot in the WRC is due to meet its deadline next Wednesday 13th January.
Both budget and the levels of COVID-19 are the considerations here. Reported new cases of COVID remain a constant each day and have not spiked significantly over the past few weeks, but a close eye is to be kept on the numbers.
Following on from our previous thoughts back in December surrounding the concerns over Rally GB and the challenges that it faces, with regards to funding and the effects of COVID-19. We now find ourselves in January of 2021, approximately 8 months away from our allocated slot in the 2021 FIA World Rally Championships (which is 19th – 22nd Aug) and still there appears to be radio silence on the event from our governing body, Motorsport UK or any such organiser/promoter of the rally.
From 6pm (18:00 hrs) on the 2nd January a number of regions within France were placed under an extended curfew, in an attempt by the local French Government Authorities to fight the increasing levels of COVID-19 amid the global pandemic which is increasingly affecting many parts of not just France but Europe. Home of our 7 times World Champ Seb Ogier, the region of the Southern Alpes and the City of GAP for which plays host to the Rallye Monte Carlo is included in this curfew.
Following the cancellation of Rally Sweden, The FIA and WRC promoter (Red Bull) begun to explore the possibilities of an alternative winter snow rally in place of Sweden. Finland was contacted about this a few weeks ago and various negotiations have now taken place.
The Arctic Lapland Rally (or Fell Rally as locally known), which runs around Rovaniemi, was initially singled out as a candidate for a Swedish replacement but alas is likely to still run at its original planned January date.
Rallye Sweden is in jeopardy from COVID-9 event and the northern region of Finland’s is suggested as a possible alternative.
For a few days now the rumour began to grow legs that next season Finland could host two rally’s in the 2021 FIA World Rally Championship. The reason? The current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.
In light of the ongoing Pandemic that still affects many parts of the globe, Rallye Sweden which finances itself through the sale of tickets & passes could be forfeited from the 2021 FIA World Rally Championships. It is believed that the likelihood of COVID-19 still affecting the region of Värmland where the rally takes place is increasing and thus the organisers fear that the vital spectators that are needed to pay for the event maybe forbidden to attend.
