The rally was based in the town of Karlstad and ran along the border of Norway.

Twenty World Rally Cars were entered into the event, as were thirteen entries in the newly formed WRC-2 championship for cars built to Group N and Super 2000 regulations.

The majority of fans voted for French Sébastien Loeb vs Sébastien Ogier who are bitter rivals from when Ogier was the number two driver at Citroën.

[2] Other 'dream heats' include Finns Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala going head-to-head as well as two young Scandinavian drivers Mads Østberg vs Pontus Tidemand.

The day ends with the second and final running of the Karlstad Super Special Stage.