History 1990s

1998 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1998 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Date: February 6–8, 1998

Start Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Finish Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Total Distance: ~1,724 km (full route)

Competitive Stages: 386.11 km

Surface: Snow/Ice

The 1998 Swedish Rally served up perfect winter conditions with sub-zero temperatures, packed snow, and deep roadside snowbanks. Tommi Mäkinen, always a favorite in the snow, delivered a controlled and confident performance in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV. With his new co-driver Risto Mannisenmäki, Mäkinen avoided mistakes and outpaced his rivals with precise Scandinavian flicks and clean throttle control throughout the forests of Värmland.

Route

Vargåsen: Home of the famed Colin’s Crest, where jumps over snowbanks thrilled fans and tested suspension.
Fredriksberg: Fast, narrow stage through thick forest with icy surface and sharp transitions between corners.
Likenäs: A rhythm stage demanding confidence and a steady hand to lean into snowbanks and carry momentum.

The route wound through central Sweden’s wintry landscapes, featuring these iconic stages:

Thanks to consistent weather, tire grip was predictable, and studded tires bit cleanly into the frozen gravel beneath the snowpack.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Tommi Mäkinen & Risto Mannisenmäki · Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV
2nd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Repo · Ford Escort WRC
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Corolla WRC

Mäkinen’s win on snow further solidified his reputation as a winter master, and gave Mitsubishi another critical boost in the championship standings.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbank Strategy: Drivers leaned into snowbanks to help rotate their cars, but misjudging them meant getting stuck or damaging aero components.
  • Cold Management: Sub-zero temperatures required reliable heating and defogging systems to maintain visibility.
  • Pace Timing: Accurate pacenotes were essential for blind corners and fast crests lined with whiteout conditions.

The 1998 Swedish Rally was a display of winter rallying perfection, and Tommi Mäkinen's cool command over snow and ice reaffirmed his place as one of the greatest on frozen ground.

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