History 2000s

2000 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2000 International Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Date: February 10–13, 2000

Start Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Finish Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Total Distance: ~1,700 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 378.41 km

Surface: Snow

The 2000 Swedish Rally brought classic winter conditions with deep snowbanks, frozen roads, and ideal subzero temperatures. Marcus Grönholm, in only his second full WRC season, used the lightweight and agile Peugeot 206 WRC to dominate the field, marking the start of a breakout campaign that would eventually lead to a world championship.

Route

Hagfors: Smooth and flowing with solid snowpack — rewarded confident drifts and throttle balance.
Fredriksberg: Fast, narrow, and lined with deep banks — punished hesitation and rewarded flat-out bravery.
Torsby: Classic Swedish terrain — high-speed sweepers combined with technical tree-lined sections.

The event remained rooted in Sweden’s Värmland region with stages snaking through icy forests and open snow-covered fields. Key stages included:

Consistent winter weather ensured stable grip for studded tires, creating a true test of Scandinavian snow-driving technique.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 206 WRC
2nd Place
Tommi Mäkinen & Risto Mannisenmäki · Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Ford Focus RS WRC 00

Grönholm’s pace stunned the field, while Mäkinen and Sainz fought hard behind. The result signaled Peugeot’s arrival as a true WRC force, with the 206 WRC proving both fast and reliable in the harshest winter conditions.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbanks: Used tactically for cornering support — but hitting them too hard often resulted in rollovers or stalls.
  • Studded Tire Management: Grip was excellent early, but tire wear and edge dulling required conservative driving late in long stages.
  • Scandinavian Advantage: Grönholm’s local expertise and fearless approach made the difference — blending confidence with mechanical sympathy.

Grönholm’s win in Sweden was more than a maiden victory — it was a warning shot to the WRC field that both driver and machine were ready to challenge for the title.

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