The 2025 edition of Arctic Lapland Rally offers a unique combination of tradition and innovation. To mark the milestone year, competitors will face 215 kilometres of special stages spread across 13 stages over two days of rallying.
This year’s route is a mix of new and legendary sections. One of the most anticipated changes is the return of two well-known special stages to the route.
On Friday, competitors will experience the Autiovaara special stage (SS3), where drivers will cross the Pirttikoski dam bridge over the Kemijoki River. This will be followed by the return of the Murtotunturi (SS4) stage, which offers a 22-kilometre journey through the fell landscapes.
“Murtotunturi has a more significant place in the history of the entire rally world than many realise. The road is completely unique to our event, as it truly cuts through fell landscapes in the middle of the wilderness, undulating continuously like an icy roller coaster along with the terrain,” describes the rally organising committee chairman Heikki Poranen.
“That’s why it has been used for decades as a testing ground for World Rally Championship cars, where the world’s best rally cars have been developed to top speed since the legendary Group B era.”
Next year will also see the transformation of the familiar Vennivaara special stage. In recent years, it has served as a shakedown for the rally, but now it will come to life again as a timed section within the rally itself. The new Venni-Mäntyvaara special stage (SS2) culminates at the Mäntyvaara racetrack, where spectators can watch the competition from the stands.
Super special stages in Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi
One of the most accessible stages for fans will be the Ounasvaara super special stage (SS9), located in the ski slope area near the centre of Rovaniemi. The Kemijärvi super special stage (SS12) also continues on the route, following its success last year.
The rally will reach its climax with the legendary Sarriojärvi special stage (SS10 and SS13), a 32-kilometre test that has, over the years, showcased all the elements of the Arctic Lapland Rally to both drivers and spectators.
“For the anniversary event, we have particularly wanted to consider the spectator-friendliness of the route and enable the wide dissemination of beautiful images of the stunning scenery at the Arctic Circle around the world. Therefore, a larger portion of the rally’s special stages has been scheduled to take place during the short daylight hours of the polar night, without forgetting the essential night-time darkness that is integral to our rally’s identity,” Poranen explains.
The anniversary edition of the Arctic Lapland Rally will be held at the turn of January and February. It will be the second round of the 2025 Finnish Rally Championship season.
The Arctic Lapland Rally route and itinerary (CET):
Friday, 31 January 2025: 09:00 Ceremonial start: Rovaniemi 09:33 SS1: Aittajärvi 1 (22.50 km) 10:46 SS2: Venni-Mäntyvaara (11.50 km) 11:01 Service at Mäntyvaara 13:44 SS3: Autiovaara (11.32 km) 14:12 SS4: Murtotunturi (22.00 km) 15:55 SS5: Kaihuavaara (19.62 km) 17:58 SS6: Mäntyvaara (4.00 km) Saturday, 1 February 2025: 08:03 SS7: Siikakämä (26.15 km) 09:06 SS8: Aittajärvi 2 (22.50 km) 10:09 SS9: Ounasvaara (1.15 km) 10:39 Service at Mäntyvaarassa 13:22 SS10: Sarriojärvi 1 (32.50 km) 15:25 SS11: Perävaara (7.33 km) 16:08 SS12: Kemijärvi (2.27 km) 17:41 SS13: Sarriojärvi 2 (32.50 km) 19:41 Ceremonial finish: Rovaniemi
