The FIA European Rally Championship shifts onto gravel for one of the fastest and most spectacular events of the season as the BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia returns to Karlstad from May 22 to 24. High-speed forest roads, narrow sections and relentless rhythm changes promise a demanding weekend where commitment and precision will be pushed to the limit.
The fourth edition of the Swedish event once again highlights the growing popularity of the ERC, with a record-breaking entry list of 60 crews set to battle across the ERC1, ERC3, ERC4 and Junior ERC categories. The strong international presence confirms the championship’s increasingly competitive and global appeal.
Among the standout names on the entry list is Teemu Suninen, a three-time FIA World Rally Championship podium finisher who arrives in Sweden determined to challenge for victory. Although Suninen has previously competed on the roads of the Värmland region during the winter Rally Sweden events, the Finnish driver admitted that the summer conditions will create a completely different challenge.
According to Suninen, the transition from snow and ice to dry gravel changes the character of the roads dramatically, making previous experience far less useful. The Pirelli-equipped driver also emphasized how incredibly competitive the ERC field has become, with several drivers capable of fighting for overall victory.
Fresh from his WRC2 victory in Portugal aboard the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Suninen will switch back to the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 that he used during the Rally Sierra Morena earlier this season. The event marked his return to the ERC after an 11-year absence, and the Finnish driver explained that adapting between the two Rally2 cars remains a major challenge due to their completely different characteristics in braking, throttle response and steering feel.
However, the fight for victory is expected to be incredibly intense. Reigning ERC champion Miko Marczyk will once again be among the favourites, while WRC stage winner Mārtiņš Sesks arrives with strong ambitions on the fast Swedish gravel.
Home hero Isak Reiersen, who finished on the podium at this rally last season, will also aim for a breakthrough result in front of local fans. Italy’s Andrea Mabellini is another driver to watch closely as he continues to establish himself among the leading names in the European championship.
Additional contenders include defending winner Eyvind Brynildsen and Swedish rising star Calle Carlberg, the 2025 Junior ERC champion who will look to shine on home soil.
From a technical perspective, the FIA ERC1 category will feature 29 Rally2 cars, while ERC3 welcomes 13 Rally3 entries. ERC4 will include 17 Rally4 cars, among them the 16 competitors registered for the Hankook-supported FIA Junior ERC Championship, which begins its season in Sweden. One Rally5 competitor will also take part in the front-wheel-drive division.
With ultra-fast stages, narrow Scandinavian roads and minimal margins for error, the BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable rallies of the ERC season. The battle for victory could easily come down to the final kilometers.
RedBull F.A.