History 1970s

1972 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1972 International Swedish Rally

Date: February 11–15, 1972

Host Country: Sweden

Surface: Snow/Ice

Total Distance: ~1,260 km

Total Starters: 85 crews

Total Finishers: 48 crews

Held in the frozen heart of Scandinavia, the 1972 Swedish Rally presented one of the most demanding winter courses on the calendar. Blinding snow, slick ice, and long stages through dense forests rewarded Scandinavian driving style and deep snow expertise. The event cemented its reputation as the ultimate snow rally and a national spectacle.

Route

Frozen Lakes: Flat-out speed tests with studded tires and zero margin for braking error.
Forest Trails: Snowbank-lined corridors with fast, technical sequences and minimal visibility.
Night Stages: Darkness combined with reflective snow made precision lighting and rhythm essential.

The rally ran through the Värmland region, with stages spanning frozen lakes, snow-packed forest roads, and narrow mountain corridors around Karlstad and Torsby.

Average speeds were high, but one misstep often meant ending up beached in a snowbank or damaging suspension on frozen ruts.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Stig Blomqvist & Arne Hertz · Saab 96 V4
2nd Place
Simo Lampinen & Gunnar Palm · Saab 96 V4
3rd Place
Ove Andersson & Arne Hertz · Toyota Celica

Blomqvist’s deep connection with snow driving and Hertz’s calm command of pace notes brought the Saab team a triumphant result in their home event, fending off international and domestic challengers with style and control.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Studded Tire Mastery: Optimal grip was achieved through specific stud patterns, tire pressure, and controlled aggression.
  • Snowbanks: Both ally and enemy—drivers leaned on them for support but risked burying the car with a minor misjudgment.
  • High-Speed Drift Control: Crews needed the ability to balance the car through sustained, sideways momentum in blinding snow.

The 1972 Swedish Rally was a symphony of snow, speed, and Scandinavian control—with Blomqvist and Saab once again showing the world how winter rallying is truly done.

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