Route unveiled for the 60th Arctic Lapland Rally: Returning legends with traditional identity
The Arctic Lapland Rally, a veritable institution of motorsport nestled deep within the icy embrace of Finland's Arctic Circle, proudly reveals its route for the 60th anniversary edition. This rally, the only one in Finland to have been held 60 times without a single interruption, stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of rallying in its purest form. The competition, which will be run from January 30 to February 1, 2025, will retain its place as the second round of the Finnish Rally Championship series.
The forthcoming event promises an exquisite blend of heritage and innovation, a route that beckons drivers into the very soul of the Arctic wilderness.
A delicate blend of tradition and change
In celebration of this landmark year, competitors will navigate a meticulously crafted 215 km route across 13 special stages, each one a unique expression of the Arctic's untamed beauty. This year’s itinerary is a blend of the new and the legends, a reflection of the rally’s storied past and its relentless drive into the future.
Among the most eagerly anticipated returns are two stages that have waited their turn in the annals of rally history for over a decade. On Friday, the route introduces the revived Autiovaara stage (SS3), where drivers will cross the majestic Pirttikoski dam bridge over the Kemijoki River—a crossing symbolises the heart of rallying: engineering grandeur combined with the raw power of nature. This is followed by the return of Murtotunturi (SS4), a breathtaking 22-kilometre journey through a landscape where the road itself morphs in character, echoing the undulating peaks of the arctic fells. Once again the event is true to its Finnish nickname “Tunturiralli”, the Rally of the Fells.
"Murtotunturi holds a more significant place in the history of rallying than many might realise. This road is truly exceptional in our event, as it indeed cuts through the fell landscape in the heart of the wilderness, undulating continuously like a frozen rollercoaster along the contours of the terrain. This is why it has been used for decades as a testing ground for the top level cars of the World Rally Championship. On this road the world's best rally cars have been made to reach the absolute peak performance in winter conditions since the start of the legendary Group B era," recalls Heikki Poranen, Chairman of the rally’s organising committee, who has been involved in the event in various roles for decades.
This year also sees the transformation of the Vennivaara stage, which for the past years has acted as the shakedown stage for the event, but now reborn as a competitive segment within the rally itself. The new Venni-Mäntyvaara stage (SS2) culminates at the familiar Mäntyvaara horse race track in front of the huge crowds of spectators.
Spectacular stages for spectators at the heart of Rovaniemi and Kemijärvi
The Arctic Lapland Rally is as much a spectacle for its audience as it is a test for its competitors. The Ounasvaara spectator special stage (SS9) is set against the backdrop of one of Rovaniemi’s most famous ski slopes. It’s a stage designed for the fans, a place where the rally’s energy is most easily accessible and where the roar of engines reverberates off snow-covered slopes.
The spectator special stage of Kemijärvi (SS12), too, returns following its success last year. With plentiful of spectators lining the stage and the bustling remote service area, the town’s enthusiasm for the rally was unmistakable upon its return and thus the stage almost in the heart of the city is set to once again draw in crowds on the shores of the lake Kemijärvi.
The legendary Sarriojärvi: A climax of epic proportions
The rally will reach its zenith with the legendary Sarriojärvi stage (SS10 and SS13), a 32-kilometre gauntlet that has shown all the elements of the Arctic Lapland Rally to both drivers and spectators throughout the past years. Sarriojärvi, winding through the desolate beauty of the Arctic wilderness, is where legends are made and victories are sealed. It is a stage that demands every ounce of skill, every whisper of courage. The winner here will not just conquer the stage, but the very spirit of the Arctic.
After all they have gone through, the overall winner of the event will once again earn the coveted reindeer antlers, the symbol of mastery in one of rallying’s most revered arenas.
"In this anniversary event, we have particularly focused on spectator-friendliness and allowing the spread of beautiful images of the stunning Arctic Circle landscapes 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 identity of our rally, the darkness of the night. We eagerly anticipate the new stories that will be born in the glow of campfires among rally fans, stories that will be told for decades to come," says Heikki Poranen about the changes to the anniversary rally route.
For now, the Arctic Circle is still waiting for the start of the autumn foliage season in Lapland, but soon after, the landscape will be covered in banks of snow, and the dark skies will be ablaze with the northern lights—all coming together to create the magical atmosphere of the Arctic Lapland Rally for the 60th time. Welcome to witness the magic of the fells and the battle of the world's best drivers amidst the unforgiving nature at the Arctic Circle from January 30th to February 1st, 2025.
For further information on the 60th Arctic Lapland Rally and to view the full itinerary, please visit arcticrally.fi/route
60th Arctic Lapland Rally - Info, route & itinerary
Friday 31.1.2025
10:00 START, Lordi's square
10:33 SS1 Aittajärvi 1 (22,50 km)
11:46 SS2 Venni-Mäntyvaara (11,50 km)
SERVICE Mäntyvaara
14:44 SS3 Autiovaara (11,32 km)
15:12 SS4 Murtotunturi (22,00 km)
REMOTE SERVICE Vanttauskoski
16:55 SS5 Kaihuavaara (19,62 km)
18:58 SS6 Mäntyvaara (4,00 km)
Saturday 1.2.2025
09:03 SS7 Siikakämä (26,15 km)
10:06 SS8 Aittajärvi 2 (22,50 km)
11:09 SS9 Ounasvaara (1,15 km)
SERVICE Mäntyvaara
14:22 SS10 Sarriojärvi 1 (32,50 km)
REMOTE SERVICE Kemijärvi
16:25 SS11 Perävaara (7,33 km)
17:08 SS12 Kemijärvi (2,27 km)
REMOTE SERVICE Kemijärvi
18:41 SS13 Sarriojärvi 2 (32,50 km)
20:41 FINISH Lordi's square
Special stages in total: 215,34 km
Whole route in total: 859,21 km
Route map PDF »
Google Maps »
Itinerary PDF »
Finnish Rally Championship calendar 2025
1. 17.-18.1.2025 SM Ralli, Kuopio
2. 30.1-1.2.2025 60th Arctic Lapland Rally, Rovaniemi
3. 7.-8.3.2025 SM Savonlinna Ralli, Savonlinna
4. 23.-24.5.2025 SM Länsirannikon Ralli, Turku
5. 13.-14.6.2025 SM Ralli, Kouvola
6. 22.-23.8.2025 SM Ralli, Lahti
7. 26.-27.9.2025 SM Seinäjoki Ralli, Seinäjoki
Photos: Taneli Niinimäki / AKK
