Arctic Circle 2022
a 22 year anniversary

Around the Baltic  

In 2022, 22 years after the first 2000 Mile Trial, Classic Events will again take you on a drive of discovery around the Baltic. From the start on 11th June to the Arctic Circle to celebrate Midsummer with the locals and finish in Oslo on the 26th June – this way we reach the most northern part of the route on the longest day of the year. The sun does not set here…

It all began as a one-time event after Bart Rietbergen and Keith Baud got to chat sitting on the dock of Monaco harbour after the Monte Carlo Challenge in 1998. This resulted in a company that has now been or¬ganizing International Classic Car rallies all over the world for almost 20 years. We have now decided it is time to return to our roots and as a result many of the original organising team from Holland and England are getting together again to run the event once more. They hope you will look forward to this trip as much as they do.

The concept of this event was, and still is, to provide you with an unforgettable 7000 km journey through countries and cultures where rallies rarely go. There will be a competitive element with a few regularities a day, and the occasional special test, but the social side will be just as important.
Although the 2021 event will not retrace the exact route of the original, it will still follow the same principle of a circular drive of discovery starting in Western Europe and finishing just north of Oslo.  In between those two points crews will travel through Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia before a short ferry crossing of the Baltic takes them to Helsinki for the start of the Scandinavian leg of the journey.
From there they will head into the famous 1000 Lakes territory of Finland before penetrating the endless pine forests and tundra of the far north.  After reaching the Arctic Circle at Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and home to Santa Claus, the route then swings west into Sweden before crossing the border to reach the breath taking coast of Norway.  The final few days will be spent exploring the dramatic Norwegian fjords and mountains before the Gala Finish just north of Oslo, and a ferry home to Europe.
Just like it was when Clas¬sic Rallying started in the 1990’s; there will be simple map based navigation, straightforward uncomplicated regularities, and manned timing points and controls. We will be visiting the best overnight hotels available on route, with two rest days, and shorter days approaching the end of the rally. Since the sun does not set at this time of year there will definitely be no night driv¬ing, however hard you try!

Like the original, we trust that The Arctic Circle will be an event that you will remember. Europe is an immense continent and you will be driving your favourite car through some of the remot¬est areas known to man.

What type of car is eligible?
There will be two categories; Vintage cars of a type in production before the end of 1948, and Classic cars of a type in production before the end of 1974. Whichever type you decide to bring it should be reliable, have a fuel range of at least 300km, and be fitted with an accurate tripmeter.

Do I need a competition licence?
You do not need competition licences, helmets or fireproof overalls. This is not a speed event but a road rally, run within normal traffic rules.
Above all the event is intended to be friendly and fun; with time to socialise with your fellow participants and enjoy the scenery and other attractions en-route.

What kind of event is it?
It is certainly not a Winter Trial like event in the sense of intense, complicated competition. We will be driving 3 or 4 regularities per day (area permitting) and an occa¬sional driving test. Because of the total distance to be covered, the individual days could be long, but the fast, empty, and beautifully engineered roads of this part of Europe and Scandinavia should ensure you cover the distance easily.  We are sure that any newcomer will feel right at home on this event.

What will the road and weather conditions be like?
The roads we will use are generally good asphalt or some smooth gravel; but there will be no car-breaking sections.  Early summer temperatures in Scandinavian countries vary from around 13-22C  in the south to 8-16 C in the north. Some rainfall may be expected so you should carry warm clothes and waterproofs. However, twenty years ago we had a heatwave in Poland and snow on the highest roads in Norway – but then that was before global warming!

What does the entry fee include?
You are guaranteed 16 days of wonderful driving roads. The Route Book will provide all you need to complete the route and plot it onto your own maps.
Accommodation and most meals are included, from the Welcome Dinner the evening before the start to the Prize Giving Dinner at the finish. Every crew completing the rally will receive finisher’s awards, and overall and class winners will also be presented with trophies. Dedicated parking, metal rally plates and number roundels will also be provided. A team of marshals and mechanics will tag along to ensure the most smiles per mile and make sure we will all reach the finish line in Oslo.
Not included in the entry fee is fuel, vehicle insurance, car shipping to the start and, after the event, from the finish.

Entry fee
A deposit of €1500 will secure your entry on the event. A balance of €15.000 is then payable before 1 March 2022, or €16450 after that date.  Please contact the Rally Office for more information.