Pontus Tidemand makes guest appearance in the Swedish Rally Championship
With some free time in his hectic schedule the week before his WRC 2 comeback, Pontus Tidemand makes a guest appearance in the Swedish Rally Championship season finale. “My home crowd has supported me for years so it’s always special to get to put on a show for them and this year I’m expecting tough competition from the other R5 drivers” said Pontus.
As a full time works driver for SKODA Motorsport, Pontus Tidemand is focused on the WRC 2 and this year’s target is to defend his champion title. But to compete on Swedish soil in front of his home crowd is something he really enjoys so now that he got the chance, he immediately took it.
“Home is home and the Swedish rally fans have supported and cheered on me for years so it’s always extra special to get to put on a show for them” said Pontus, who also made a guest apperance at East Sweden Rally last year and won the event by two and a half minute.
“This year I’m expecting tough competiton from the other drivers. The R5 cars have quick and skilled talents behind the wheels so I definitely think there will be a battle. But it’s fun, both to push a bit and that the level is so high in the national championship. I’m really looking forward to face the Swedish rally elite again!
Just like in the WRC 2, Pontus and his co-driver Jonas Andersson come to East Sweden Rally with a SKODA Fabia R5. Right after the rally they are straight off to Turkey for the next WRC 2 event and they will do everything in their power to keep the competitive speed for another week.
“The timing of East Sweden Rally is perfect as a warm-up for Rally Turkey so we’re aiming to get into that competitive mode and just stay there until next Sunday. I absolutely think this will be a valuable rally practice wise” said Pontus.
East Sweden Rally is the season finale of the Swedish Rally Championship and runs Friday and Saturday. The rally base is located in the city of Linköping and nine special stages measuring about 100 kilometers will be tackled over the weekend.