History 2000s

2005 Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 2005 Swedish Rally (Sweden)

Date: February 11–13, 2005

Start Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Finish Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Total Distance: ~1,150 km (estimated full route)

Competitive Stages: 359.54 km

Surface: Snow/Ice

The 2005 Swedish Rally featured textbook winter conditions with snowbanks, frozen lakes, and icy forest tracks. Petter Solberg delivered an aggressive and confident performance from the outset, expertly using studded tires and his snow-driving skills to secure a well-earned win for Subaru.

Route

Hagfors Sprint: High-speed dash through dense woods — tight lines and bravery were key to quick stage times.
Vargåsen: Home of the famous “Colin’s Crest” jump — smooth transitions and timing crucial for both landing and exit speed.
Lesjöfors: Narrow, technical, and lined with thick snow — traction management and pacenote precision made the difference.

The rally’s iconic stages were fast and flowing, lined with snowbanks that rewarded commitment and punished hesitation. Notable stages included:

Conditions remained consistently cold, preserving snow integrity and allowing maximum performance from studded tires throughout the rally.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Petter Solberg & Phil Mills · Subaru Impreza WRC
2nd Place
Marcus Grönholm & Timo Rautiainen · Peugeot 307 WRC
3rd Place
Sébastien Loeb & Daniel Elena · Citroën Xsara WRC

Solberg set the pace from the very beginning, capitalizing on his confidence in snowy conditions. Grönholm applied pressure throughout but couldn't close the gap, while Loeb stayed consistent to bring home important championship points despite being less comfortable on snow.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbanks: Used by skilled drivers to “lean” into corners — risky but rewarding when done right.
  • Studded Tire Optimization: Drivers had to manage grip degradation across loops while maximizing braking and turn-in performance.
  • Frozen Surface Transitions: Sudden shifts from ice to snow or compressed gravel required precision throttle and brake control.

Solberg’s performance in Sweden confirmed his status as one of the sport’s snow specialists and gave Subaru a strong foundation early in the 2005 WRC title race.

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