With temperatures averaging around -20 degrees, and the wind and snow causing all kinds of chaos for the drivers on the first day of the rally, our trip to Sweden was destined to be a tough one. The service park tent was the best place to be, away from the terrible weather. But there was a race on and KAPS Transmissions was there for the action.

At the end of Friday, Patrik Flodin was well within reach of Anders Gronal with only a 25 second gap to first place. Flodin was stuck on a snow bank for some time and lost 1 minute waiting for the fans to help push him out. But the gap was never a problem. Flodin, with his rally car running with KAPS Transmissions always has enough ability to push his car to the next level when required.

However, on the Saturday, it wasn’t to be. Flodin’s car was scrutinized overnight and it was found that his wheels were too light and FIA had eliminated him from the race in what can only be explained as a harsh consequence for a minor oversight given the fact new homologation criteria was introduced for 2011. A small time penalty would suffice.

With KAPS Transmissions’ main title contender now out of the race, it appeared that Grondal had the race in his hands with his massive time advantage over the rest of the field, but an engine problem put an end to his charge. That left Martin Semerad, the young Czech driver in the number one position, flying the KAPS flag. Following a great debut last year with the Mitsubishi Pirelli rally team program, Semerad powered his Mitsuibishi Evo IX to the finish for the win in the first race of the 2011 WRC calendar.

In the end, mixed results for KAPS competitors, but the win is in the bag!