Round Two of
WRC,
Rally Sweden, in the frozen forests of
Scandinavia has come to an end, and the results surprised many as top four spots was occupied by
Scandinavian drivers! And total 6
Scandinavian drivers in top 10 elite
WRC finishers.

The action unfolded with the
SSS of
Karlstad, and it was won by
Andreas Mikkelsen, fellow
Norwegian driver. The real test began from
SS2 which ran through frozen forests, the main problem for drivers was managing tyres, lack of snow means they will be on gravel on studds!
Ogier showed it how to do it by winning
SS2 and jumping into lead.
SS3 was also won by Ogier, followed by
Mikkelsen and
Latvala making it a
VW trio on the overall leaderboard.
SS4 went to
Mikkelsen, again showing what he can do on his home surface. Next three stages was won by
Ott Tanak,
Andreas Mikkelsen and
Sebastien Ogier respectively bringing the day to an end. After Leg 1
VW trio were leading the rally, led by
Ogier,
Mikkelsen and
Latvala,
Ott Tanak was in fourth showing impressive pace in his
Fiesta WRC.
Citroen driver
Mads Ostberg was in fifth struggling to find a pefrect balance with his car.
Mikko too was out of pace lying in sixth, in the rally which he won previously.
Hyundai drivers
Thierry Neuville and
Juho Hanninen were in seventh and eight respectively, trying to keep up with top guns as their main goal was to finish the event. It was all difficult for snow debutants
Kubica,
Evans and
Kris Meeke.
Leg 2 of
Rally Sweden was all set for the
VW battle to resume. And it all changed in the opening stage thats
SS8. Sebastien Ogier made a mistake, got stuck in a snowbank and lost the lead and slipped to
20th overall.
Mikkelsen took the advantage and won the stage and took the rally lead followed by
Latvala,
Mads Ostberg too found some pace and stormed to third overall. Very next stage was
Ogiers turn to win making up for the mistake.
SS9 again changed the rally Leader this time its
Latvala.
SS11 was won by
Henning Solberg showing he has got the pace inspite of staying away from
WRC for a long time. The next four stages was won by
Ogier fighting back up the leaderboard and the last
SSS was won by
Mikkelsen. After end of
Leg2, Latvala was in lead followed by
Mikkelsen in second,
Mads Ostberg in third,
Mikko in fourth,
Tanak in fifth,
Meeke, Solberg, Tidemand in sixth, seventh and eighth repectively.
Ogier fought all day and made it to ninth overall an impressive drive from
Frenchman.
Evans rounded off the top 10.
Leg 3 and the stage was set for the battle of
Scandinavian's for the rally lead.
Latvala made a good start by winning first stage of day thats
SS17 and stamped his authority on the rally. Next it was another three in a row stage wins for
Finn Latvala and built a healthy lead over his compatriot
Mikkelsen.
SS21 was cancelled. Which means
Latvala was only three stages away from his victory. And next three stages he took it cool and calm and made it to finish and won
Rally Sweden for third time.
Andreas Mikkelsen surprised and impressed by his pace and finished runner up, it was a dream come true for him!
Mads Ostberg completed the podium, finally getting some pace and got to understand the car.
Mikko Hirvonen finished fourth, a point finish and getting some pace.
Ott Tanak had a impressive rally, getting into pace very quickly and finishing fifth.
Ogier's fightback has made him to occupy sixth overall.
Henning Solberg had a solid drive and was seventh overall. Local star
Pontus Tidemand finished eight and brought smiles on faces of local fans.
Craig Breen and
Kris Meeke rounded off the top 10
WRC finishers.

Both
Hyundai drivers finished the rally but were not able to score points,
Juho Hanninen finished
19th overall with some off-road incidents,
Thierry Neuville finished
28th struggling to find pace.
Robert Kubica also finished lower down the order
24th overall, as it was leap into the unkown for the
Pole.
WRC 2 was won by
Karl Kruuda, a last stage win for him and his maiden victory in a rally.
WRC 2 also had surprises!
Finn J
ari Ketomaa finished second and local star
Fredrik Ahlin finished third in his
Fiesta R5.
Well it was a action packed Rally Sweden, also with some dramas! Winter is gone now and the heat and dust of Rally Mexico is waiting next! Untill then Happy Rallying!
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