History 1980s

1982 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1982 International Swedish Rally

Date: February 12–14, 1982

Host Country: Sweden

Surface: Snow / Ice

Total Distance: 366.51 km (competitive)

Total Starters: Approx. 100 crews

Total Finishers: 42 crews

The 1982 Swedish Rally saw local hero Stig Blomqvist dominate the icy Scandinavian stages in his Audi Quattro. With deep snowbanks and treacherous ice, the event favored both experience and traction—areas where Blomqvist and the Quattro excelled. Co-driven by the reliable Björn Cederberg, Blomqvist delivered Audi its first Swedish Rally win, showcasing the Quattro's superiority in winter rally conditions and solidifying its reputation as the car to beat on snow.

Route

Torsby Region: Fast, flowing snow roads with consistent grip but limited visibility around tight bends.
Hagfors Stages: High-speed ice with tight junctions—snowbanks offered both safety and risk depending on entry angle.
Sunne Area: Longer stages with elevation changes, frozen lakeside corners, and sharp braking zones into hairpins.

The rally looped through the frozen forests of Värmland, near Karlstad, with deep snowbanks lining every stage and temperatures frequently dropping below -15°C.

Unlike other WRC rounds, the Swedish Rally is entirely snow-based, making studded tires and throttle modulation absolutely essential.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Stig Blomqvist & Björn Cederberg · Audi Quattro
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Audi Quattro
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & David Richards · Ford Escort RS1800 MkII

Blomqvist used his home-field advantage to full effect, leading from early stages and maintaining his edge throughout. Mikkola made it a 1–2 for Audi, while Vatanen pushed hard in the aging Escort to salvage a podium on pure commitment.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Studded Tire Management: Sharp studs improved grip, but over-aggression risked shearing them or overheating compound layers.
  • Snowbank Usage: Drivers leaned on banks to clip corners—but hitting them too hard meant getting stuck or rolling.
  • Low Temperatures: Affected fuel systems, hydraulics, and driver fatigue—especially in long night stages.

The 1982 Swedish Rally proved Audi’s AWD concept was not just competitive—it was a revelation. Blomqvist’s skill and speed made him a hometown hero and solidified the Quattro’s dominance in snow-covered rallying.

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