Rally Sweden organizers have confirmed the cancellation of the historic event amid discussions about the immediate future of the next round of the 2020 World Rally Championship.
This is the second time in five years the historic section of the Torsby-based event has been cancelled due to unseasonably warm conditions.
While snow has fallen in the Värmland region, temperatures aren’t falling as low as had been hoped – with the potential for no overnight freeze by the end of the week.
A Tuesday morning statement confirmed the organizing team was in continued consultation with the FIA and WRC Promoter regarding the weather and the condition of the roads. The governing body will inspect the route early this week.
While a decision was expected on Monday or Tuesday, there’s been no further comment on a precise timeline for taking a decision.
FIA rally director Yves Matton told DirtFish he wanted firm news before the teams began their journeys towards Torsby.
The teams are starting to fly into Sweden to begin pre-event testing this week, but there’s frustration from them at the potentially changing conditions they’re testing in.
Rally Sweden CEO Glenn Olsson said: “We continue to examine every possible way to ensure the rally goes ahead. The conditions are being monitored constantly and the situation will be re-evaluated with any decisions required to be made this week.”
The organizers have begun the process of watering the stages around Torsby, with the hope that colder temperatures will deep-freeze the roads.
