History 1980s

1985 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1985 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Date: February 15–17, 1985

Start Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Finish Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Total Distance: 630 km of special stages

Surface: Snow and ice

The 1985 Swedish Rally delivered fast-paced action across snow-packed Scandinavian roads. With studded tires and AWD dominance on full display, Timo Salonen took victory in the Peugeot 205 T16. His calm driving style and expert throttle control on frozen surfaces gave Peugeot its second consecutive win of the season.

Route

Hagfors: Fast, sweeping roads where precision through snowbanks was rewarded with top speed.
Fredriksberg: Narrow forest paths with deep ice grooves and minimal runoff.
Rämmen: Classic stage filled with technical transitions, hard-packed snow, and hidden jumps.

Stages looped through Sweden’s icy forests, requiring near-perfect car balance and commitment over blind crests:

Perfect winter conditions and dense snowbanks helped crews carry incredible speed while punishing the slightest mistakes with instant off-road excursions.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Timo Salonen & Seppo Harjanne · Peugeot 205 T16
2nd Place
Stig Blomqvist & Björn Cederberg · Audi Quattro
3rd Place
Per Eklund & Dave Whittock · Toyota Celica TCT

Salonen’s fluid lines and steady pace helped Peugeot fend off Sweden’s local experts—earning their first win on full-snow terrain and bolstering the 205’s credibility on every surface.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbank Usage: Drivers leaned on snowbanks for cornering support but risked getting stuck with misjudged lines.
  • Cold Reliability: Subzero temperatures tested starting systems, fuel flow, and hydraulic responsiveness.
  • Stud Selection: Tire prep was key—balancing grip longevity with sharpness for ice bites.

The 1985 Swedish Rally was a celebration of Nordic rally tradition, and Timo Salonen’s smooth, ice-calm style brought Peugeot another victory on their path to Group B dominance.

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