Pontus Tidemand looking forward to Östersund Winter Rally
This weekend it’s time for Östersund Winter Rally, the second race in this year’s Swedish Championship. The start is set to Friday evening when three stages will be driven, one of them a spectator stage in the centre of the city Östersund. After having battled with the world elite in Rally Sweden a couple of weeks ago, 22 year old Pontus Tidemand and co-driver Ola Fløene are now looking forward to get back to the Swedish Championship and are hoping for a second victory.
“ It will be a lot of fun to drive in the Swedish Championship again and there are always good races in Östersund”, Pontus says.
A total of nine special stages, 120 km altogether, will be driven during two days. The start takes place on the big stage in Badhusparken at 5.30 pm on Friday evening and after that the first three stages of the rally will follow. First up are two stages in the forest and then a spectator stage in the city centre of Östersund, where the spectators will get a chance to experience the speed up close.
“In this race we will be driving a Ford Focus WRC, a car that normally is driven by Ingemar Svensson is owned by Tommy Andersson. But I think it will be possible to go just as fast with this one as with the Fiesta WRC”, Pontus says.
With an early start on Saturday morning, the remaining six stages will be accomplished during the second day. It’s been reported that both snow levels and road conditions are good, so together with a promising weather forecast it looks like it will be a great rally for competitors as well as spectators. The finish will also take place in Badhusparken and is set to 3.20 on the afternoon.
“It will be a tough fight for the overall victory. Nothing is for free in this sport and I think both Mats Jonsson, who missed out on the last race, and Eddie Hörbring is looking for revenge”, Pontus finishes.
Time schedule Östersund Winter Rally 2013
Friday February 22nd
5.30 pm Start Badhusparken
6.13 pm SS1 Singsjön
6.56 pm SS2 Torvägen
8.49 pm SS3 Campus
Saturday February 23rd
7.13 am SS4 Väster-Kälen
7.41 am SS5 Värmon 1
8.29 am SS6 Kälom1
12.12 pm SS7 Åslägda
12.50 pm SS8 Värmon 2
1.38 pm SS9 Kälom 2
3.18 pm Finish Badhusparken
Live results can be found here.