History 1980s

1986 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1986 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Date: February 14–16, 1986

Start Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Finish Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Total Distance: ~560 km of special stages

Surface: Snow and ice

The 1986 Swedish Rally saw rising Finnish talent Juha Kankkunen claim his first WRC win in style. Battling through frozen forests and blistering speeds on snow-packed roads, he kept the powerful Peugeot 205 T16 upright and ahead of a hard-charging field. His cool approach and sharp throttle control made the difference in an event where grip was a fleeting luxury.

Route

Hagfors and Värmland Forests: Narrow, high-speed routes requiring flat-out commitment between trees.
Torsby Region: Deep snow cover and strong ruts forced cars to stick to a clean line or risk being pulled off-course.
Colderud and Lysvik: Technical stretches with hard-packed ice and hidden crests demanding razor-sharp pacenotes.

Sweden’s winter rally stages were fast, frozen, and lined with snowbanks that doubled as both lifelines and traps:

Sub-zero conditions and consistent snow cover made studded tires crucial, and Kankkunen’s calm execution set him apart from more aggressive rivals.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Peugeot 205 T16
2nd Place
Stig Blomqvist & Benny Melander · Ford RS200
3rd Place
Kalle Grundel & Peter Diekmann · Ford RS200

Kankkunen’s flawless drive in treacherous conditions not only earned him a maiden WRC victory but also signaled the arrival of a new championship contender.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbank Risk: Drivers leaned on them to corner faster but risked being swallowed if misjudged.
  • Stud Management: Tire wear on frozen gravel sections was a decisive factor across the rally’s multiple loops.
  • Speed + Precision: Sweden’s stages demanded the bravery of Finland with the finesse of Monte Carlo.

The 1986 Swedish Rally marked the beginning of Juha Kankkunen’s rise—his composed mastery of the snow would become a calling card in the years ahead.

← Previous Event 1986 Rallye Monte-Carlo (Monaco)
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