History Event 1980s

1987 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1987 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Date: February 13–15, 1987

Start Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Finish Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Total Distance: 549 km of special stages

Surface: Snow and ice

The 1987 Swedish Rally delivered classic winter rallying, snowbanks, studded tires, and flat-out commitment in slippery Scandinavian forests. Hannu Mikkola, a veteran of the ice, put his expertise to good use by guiding the bulky but stable Audi 200 Quattro to a surprising victory. It was a testament to quattro technology and Mikkola’s finesse that the older Audi was able to outlast the newer Group A field in such treacherous conditions.

Route

Hagfors and Torsby: Frozen tracks with technical sections requiring rhythm and commitment.
Lysvik and Fredriksberg: Long, sweeping routes favoring AWD traction and confident late braking into corners.
Night Stages: Limited visibility, deep ruts, and freezing temps pushed drivers into full concentration mode.

Sweden’s snowbound stages offered classic conditions, with narrow, fast-flowing routes lined with snowbanks:

Weather remained cold and consistent throughout the rally, with deep snow allowing drivers to lean on banks, but punishing anyone who pushed too far.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Audi 200 Quattro
2nd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Lancia Delta HF 4WD
3rd Place
Kalle Grundel & Peter Diekmann · Ford Sierra XR4x4

Mikkola’s win was a nod to rally experience, steady hands, and Audi’s famed quattro advantage, even as newer, lighter Group A cars were beginning to take over the sport.

Car Highlights

  • Audi 200 Quattro: Large and less agile than its rivals, but with excellent traction and reliability on snowy terrain.
  • Lancia Delta HF 4WD: Quick and light, but not yet as refined as it would become, still a major threat in all conditions.
  • Ford Sierra XR4x4: New entry from Ford with promising AWD capability and good balance on snow stages.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbank Strategy: Drivers used them to carry more speed, but contact at the wrong angle could mean disaster.
  • Studded Tire Tactics: Choosing the right compound and managing stud wear was key over repeated stage use.
  • Weight vs. Control: Mikkola proved that even a heavier car could win with the right setup and patience.

The 1987 Swedish Rally was a showcase of skill over raw performance, Hannu Mikkola’s win in an aging Audi was a masterclass in snow rallying.

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