The reason for the claim is that the complainants believe that the Swedish regulations have made the Swedish Motorsport Federation (SBF) have a monopoly on conducting rally operations in Sweden, and that they have created a cartel with the International Motorsport Federation (FIA).
– And this has cost the contestants a hell of a lot of money, says Kurtén to SVT Sport.
“A competitive advantage”
It is all based on the regulations issued by the Swedish Transport Agency (TS) in 2013. It states that registered rally cars may only be driven by drivers who have a “valid competition or entry license issued by SBF or another national association affiliated to the FIA”.
– And that gives SBF a competitive advantage, says Peter Kurtén.
Kurtén also believes that SBF is allied with the FIA, as they demand that the cars be equipped with equipment (e.g. seats and helmets) approved by the FIA.
– For every seat sold by the FIA’s approved supplier, the FIA receives between 8 and 15 euros from this company, says Kurtén, and continues:
– So the more FIA-approved products that SBF requires from the active in Sweden, the more the FIA earns. This is dirty, it is high level cartel formation.
New regulations on referral
SBF was not aware of the notification to KKV before SVT Sport contacted them. After reviewing the documents, they respond with a statement via email.
“One of the points is that it is not allowed to drive a rally car without a rally competition license issued by SBF. The decision governing it has been issued by TS for many years. It is not included in SBF’s regulations. TS has a letter that is now on referral to possibly adjust this.
Regarding the other points that have been received, it is now a matter for the Swedish Competition Authority”.
Proposals for new regulations were recently presented by TS, which are out for consultation with proposals to be introduced next spring. In the investigation of the rules, TS states that their previous rules were not okay. The Swedish Competition Authority has the option of imposing fines and damages.