History 1990s

1992 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1992 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Date: February 13–16, 1992

Start Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Finish Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Total Distance: 448.00 km of special stages

Surface: Snow and ice

The 1992 Swedish Rally delivered classic winter rallying—narrow, high-speed forest roads lined with snowbanks and the ever-present risk of getting stuck. Mats Jonsson, competing as a privateer with deep local experience, took full advantage of the conditions and his knowledge of the terrain. With Lars Bäckman beside him, Jonsson piloted his older-spec Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 to an emotional and unexpected home win against factory-backed titans.

Route

Hagfors and Torsby Loops: Wide, fast stretches with full-throttle commitment—snowbanks offered safety or disaster depending on entry angle.
Lesjöfors Region: Narrower stages with fast crests and tight bends—perfect traction made for aggressive driving, but mistakes were punished.
Älvdalen Sections: High-speed tests with changing snowpack and deep ruts—called for experience and bravery in equal measure.

The rally’s stages traversed Värmland’s frozen forests, demanding absolute confidence in grip, pacenotes, and snowbank usage:

Consistent cold kept surfaces firm and ideal for studded tires—Jonsson thrived under those conditions and built a lead few could touch.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Mats Jonsson & Lars Bäckman · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Bruno Berglund · Subaru Legacy RS

Jonsson’s underdog victory thrilled the Swedish fans and proved that in snow, local knowledge could still beat newer machinery and full works support.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbanks: Drivers leaned on them for stability—but too deep a slide could mean instant retirement.
  • Studded Tire Management: Maintaining grip required avoiding tire wear across long stage distances.
  • Local Knowledge: Jonsson knew which corners could be pushed and which needed patience—his familiarity proved decisive.

The 1992 Swedish Rally was a reminder that raw pace alone doesn’t win on snow—Jonsson’s smart, fearless drive showed that rallying’s romantic underdog stories were still alive and well.

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