The rally was held over February 11–14, beginning with a Super Special Stage in the event's base town of Karlstad.

The system sees 25 points awarded for first, 18 for second, with third receiving 15, 12 for fourth and then ten, eight, six, four, two, and one for tenth place.

Further back, Marcus Grönholm returned to a WRC event, but finished outside the points in 21st position.

Räikkönen lost over half an hour to the leading drivers when his car got stuck in an area of soft snow, and was forced to dig himself out on day one.

In the inaugural SWRC event, Per-Gunnar Andersson held off the challenges of Janne Tuohino and Martin Prokop to win the rally.