Rovaniemi opens Arctic Lapland Rally on Jan 27

The two-day Arctic Lapland Rally-2017 will kick-start at Rovaniemi from January 27.

All preparations to hold the world’s sole event of its kind that uses only ice-and snow-covered roads have been completed to ensure a hitch-less rally, said the event organisers.

“We have taken all-out preparations to hold the rally as smoothly as in the previous years,” Heikki Poranen, the chairman of the organising committee said.

He said this year 152 drivers hailing from across the world will take part in the rally.

Marjut Haiko from the press wing of the event said that competitors from 14 different countries- Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Philippines, Russia, Belgium, Austria, Monaco and Switzerland- are taking part in the rally this year.

Due to the event’s history, locals know this Arctic Lapland Rally as the Fells Rally.

Rovaniemen Urheiluautoilijat ry has been hosting the event since 1966 on Rovaniemi’s wild terrains, and this year will be its 52nd edition, that explains it being regarded as a tradition.

The Arctic Lapland Rally has already consolidated a prominent position in Europe because of the magical and unique atmosphere of the Arctic Circle, loved by both the drivers and spectators.

The event’s huge popularity and attraction to the visitors are reflected in the city’s street scenes, where they bring excitement and a buzz in the dark, late-January days. Every year, the rally attracts a large host of the sport’s aficionados as well as top motorsports from around the world.

The preparations are going on in a full swing as the deadline of entry expired on January 16.

The opening date for reconnaissance will continue from January 23 to January 26 and the main rally will start on January 27 at 12.00 am and wrap up on January 28 at 6.00pm, said the sources.

The rally will be held in different categories – International Classes, National Classes, Group F, Vakio 1600, WRC, Historic classes, two- and four-wheel drive for seniors over 50 years and legends over 60 years, A-juniors, B-juniors, foreign drivers, etc.

The price of a rally pass has been set at EUR 30, which includes entrance to every special stage, route map and itinerary, rally magazine, while a ticket to the special stages has been set at EUR 10.

Children under 12 years, however, will have free entrance in company of their parents.