Swedish Home Contender ERC Expects High-Speed Success in Upcoming Fixure
BAUHAUS Scandinavian Rally 2025 is set to be an electrifying event, with world-class rally stars battling it out on high-speed, smooth stages - just like a dancefloor! Hosted in Sweden's Vaerman from May 29-31, this third round of the 2025 ERC season promises a thrilling battle for the crown.
In the absence of reigning champion Oliver Solberg, due to his WRC testing commitments, it's up to hometown heroes Isak Reiersen, 21, and Mille Johansson, 20, to stake their claim for the golden throne. Reiersen, a Junior ERC champion on this very rally, and Johansson, a young talent who moved from a Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo to a Fabia RS Rally2, will give their all to secure a top spot.
"It's crucial, it's my home rally, everyone is there cheering me on. I might not have grown up on these stages, but they're close and champion-worthy," said Reiersen, adding that his aim is a top-three finish. Johansson hopes for a strong showing, confessing that she was closer to winning in Spain than she expected, and is eager for her upgraded ride in the Fabia RS Rally2 to help her clinch victory.
While Solberg won't be there, his 52-year-old uncle Henning will compete alongside fellow Norwegian drivers Eyvind Brynildsen, Mads Ostberg, and Frank Tore Larsen. The BAUHAUS Scandinavian Rally 2025 entry also includes Miko Marczyk, Andrea Mabellini, and Roope Korhonen, all of whom are leading the points in their respective categories, and have been seen dominating various championships.
Former grand prix racer and Max Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen, will go head-to-head with Dariusz Biedrzyński, Sasa Olé, Henning Solberg, and Martin Vlček for Master ERC honors. Igor Widlak, Tristan Charpentier, and Hubert Kowalczyk are among the front-runners in the ERC3 category, while Victor Hansen aims to win the ERC4.
The rally offers a fan-friendly loop system, with drivers tackling two stages twice in quick succession on Friday and Saturday to minimize wait times for spectators. On Friday, the event starts with the 9.65-kilometer Grönlund stage, followed by the highly-regarded Värmskog stage. You can catch these stages repeated at 09:48 and 10:35 respectively, before the midday halt.
The afternoon session launches with the well-known Gårdsjö stage near Sunne, and concludes with the famous Colin's Crest arena section. The stages are then repeated without a service break in between. The route heads east from Karlstad on Saturday, following the new loop system, with multiple visits to Kingly Forest and Ölme. Theadventure concludes with the bonus points-paying Power Stage on Ölme at 16:05.
A new SS Brätebäcken super special stage will open the competition on Thursday at 18:23, with the finish inside the stunning LBC Arena close to the city center of Karlstad.
Across the globe, rally enthusiasts can witness the excitement of the ERC on the Rally.tv platform, or consult local listings for broadcasts in their respective countries. With a total of 17 stages, a staggering 184.38 kilometers of stage distance, and a massive 929.28 kilometers in total, the BAUHAUS Scandinavian Rally 2025 promises an unforgettable experience for all!
"Isak Reiersen and Mille Johansson, hometown heroes of Swedish rally, are preparing to showcase their skills in the grand-prix-like atmosphere of auto-racing at the BAUHAUS Scandinavian Rally 2025."
"Competitors in the Master ERC category, such as former grand prix racer Jos Verstappen, will experience a taste of racing's drama as they compete alongside other rivals, resembling the thrilling races of grand-prix auto-racing."
