The three special stages of the Swedish World Championship rally may be canceled due to a complaint made by the Sámi village. Henri Haapamäki does not remember the same.
There are threats around the Swedish World Rally, which will be driven by the end of the week. All special tests in the second round of the season may be canceled.
In the background is a complaint made by the Rans Sámi village of the permits for three special stages. The provincial government showed the green light to organize special tests, but the Sámi village has complained to the Swedish Transport Agency.
According to the complaint, special tests cannot be used for reindeer herding during the rally. According to the complaint, special tests cannot be driven if there are reindeer in the vicinity.
The note for the race begins on Tuesday. By Monday afternoon, the race organizers had not been informed of how to deal with special stages.
These are the permits obtained by three ECs. One of them is a specialty run in Umeja, which will be run once on Saturday and the second time on Sunday as a Power Stagena.
Sports Rally Specialist Henri Haapamäki Calls this case to be exceptional in the World Rally Championship. Generally, rallying routes have to be canceled, for example due to very poor conditions.
He does not remember that rally routes were previously changed due to the village community or animals. Haapamäki understands that the subject is important to reindeer herders.
– The general reason is the location of the public so that you cannot drive safely. Some exotic places have landslides, earthquakes and heavy rains. The route is in such a way that you can’t simply go there.
One third off?
Haapamäki points out that there is a safety risk if there are reindeer on the route. The specialty of the situation is the fact that this is visibly discussed so close to the start of the rally.
– You would think that a few months ago it would have been taken on the wallpaper. It is well known where the rally trails are. It would have been easier and harder to look for alternative routes.
The three routes below the threat of cancellation are about 70 kilometers. This year’s Swedish race has a total of 300 kilometers.
– If they (kilometers) are removed, it is a significant amount. Sunday is an important day anyway, so you should find an alternative route. I do not find it possible for the whole Sunday to go out and the rally will end on Saturday.
– I hope you find a suitable solution. Either the original routes are driven or a group of routes to drive.
The expert adds that this is in a hurry.
– When the note begins, competitors need to know which routes they put on and prepare for the competition. Competitors have made a great preparation. They have learned the road from the outside. It is unfair for them if almost one third of the rally is canceled.
Like festivals to leave the main performer
According to Haapamäki, the nature of the rally does not change in itself, even if some of the routes have to be turned on. For the competitors, sheet music and preparation are at the center.
According to him, cancellations and exchange would have a bigger meaning for viewers.
– They may have thought for months to go on that route and book a nearby accommodation. This is like going to a rock concert, where the main performer makes a cancellation. It’s never nice.