FORESTS AND FJORDS TO THE FORE AS RALLY THE GLOBE’S NORDIC CHALLENGE DELIVERS ON ALL FRONTS

15th July 2026

  • Formidable Fords top the leaderboard    
  • Category spoils scooped by V8 Coupe and RS1600  
  • Scandinavian escapade packed with memorable highlights
  • From Copenhagen to Oslo via some of rallying’s most iconic regions

Rally the Globe’s third event of the 2026 season, the Nordic Challenge, exceeded expectations, delivering an unforgettable two-week competitive adventure through the epic forests and fjords of Scandinavia. Victory among the Pre-War entries went to the Swiss crewed Ford V8 Coupe of Manuel and Irene Dubs who dominated the category leading throughout.

However there was far more action and intrigue among the Classics. Three different Volvos set the pace thus raising the hopes of a famous home win on Scandinavian soil, however it was finally the Ford RS1600 of Ean and Ali Lewin that rose to the fore taking the overall spoils.

Combining deserted asphalt roads, spectacular gravel sections and a challenging mix of Speed Tests and Regularities, the event ventured further north than any previous Rally the Globe adventure in Europe, visiting some of the Nordic region’s less-explored areas while also taking crews through some of rallying’s most iconic landscapes. Living up to its ‘Challenge’ name, competitors crossed the finish line physically tired but awash with magnificent memories to last a lifetime.

A total of 29 crews from around the globe assembled in Copenhagen, Denmark’s vibrant capital, for the start. The entry comprised five Pre-War cars and 24 Classic entries, with competitors representing numerous nationalities from across Europe as well as New Zealand and the United States.

The eye-catching field featured everything from iconic Bentleys and pre-war Fords to modern classics including Mercedes-Benz SLs, Porsche 911s, Triumph TRs and Volvos, underlining the event’s broad appeal and international magnetism.

The rally began in Copenhagen and finished 12 days later in Oslo, covering an epic 4,300km route through the forests, lakes, mountains and fjord landscapes of Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Around 600km of the route was on gravel roads, while the competitive element comprised 19 Speed Tests and 37 Regularity Sections with 62 Timing Points.

Crossing the spectacular Øresund Bridge from Denmark into Sweden, crews faced a demanding opening day featuring a trio of challenging Speed Tests and Regularities, beginning with action at Sturup Raceway. The route then threaded through farms, forests and wetlands before including a visit to the fascinating Saab Museum in Trollhättan.

After three days in Sweden, the rally reached Stockholm Ferry Port for the overnight crossing to Turku in southern Finland. Appropriately, as crews boarded the ferry, the Classic category was headed by a pair of Volvos, with Oli and Sabine Stastny from Switzerland leading in their 1960 Volvo PV544 ahead of Nigel and Sally Woof in a similar 1961 model.

The Pre-War category was also headed by a Swiss pairing, with Manuel and Irene Dubs’ 1940 Ford Coupe leading Andrew Boland and Mark Bramall in their 1936 Ford V8 Convertible by a small margin.

The next chapter of the Nordic Challenge took competitors to Jyväskylä, home of Finland’s legendary 1000 Lakes Rally. One of the highlights included traversing sections featuring the famous Ouninpohja jumps, revered by rally fans across the world.

Day five took crews across more legendary Finnish gravel rally sections and a memorable visit to the museum of rally legend Jari-Matti Latvala where Jari-Matti was found tinkering in the workshop whilst his mum and dad served coffee and cinnamon buns! Thereafter followed Speed Tests at the Ala-Talkkari Arena and a ferry across the Gulf of Bothnia back to Sweden.

While the leading Volvos continued to dominate the Classic category – but now with the Woof’s PV544 leading the Stastnys who had been ahead for the first four days – the foray into Finland proved unfortunate for Andrew Boland and Mark Bramall, whose Ford suffered problems.

Their retirement from second place promoted Jonathan and Olivia Turner’s remarkable 1922 Bentley EXP4 3/4½ into the runner-up position in the Pre-War standings, although they remained some distance behind the still-dominant Swiss pairing in the pacesetting Ford Coupe.

With almost 20 hours of daylight available, the following day became the longest of the event, covering 526.5km through Sweden’s renowned ski resort region. Three Speed Tests, including a run up the steep gravel of the Hammarstrand Hillclimb, and numerous Regularities kept both drivers and navigators fully occupied as the rally entered its second half.

Having grabbed the lead on the previous day, the Woof’s luck ran out when their PV’s rear axle made a bid for freedom, thus elevating the Stastny’s Volvo back to the top of the standings. Former Rally the Globe winners Ean and Ali Lewin now moved their iconic 1973 Ford Escort RS1600 – a car perfectly suited to these famous rally roads – into second place in the Classic category ahead of the 1964 Volvo 122S of Tony and Rachel Sheach. David and Jo Roberts held fourth position in their 1968 Triumph TR250, while Neil Smith and Mike McCollum were well placed in fifth with their 1969 Porsche 911.

The following day welcomed crews into Norway and a shorter but still demanding route towards a well-earned rest day in Trondheim, Norway’s historic capital until 1217, with the leaders in both categories remaining unchanged.

With competitors refreshed and their cars revitalised, the rally resumed with arguably its most spectacular day yet. Following a short Speed Test at Arena Wallenberg Motorbane, crews ventured deep into the rugged Trollheimen mountain range, tackling remote gravel roads before descending into Norway’s breathtaking coastal fjord region for the overnight halt in Molde.

In the Pre-War category, the Dubs continued to hold a commanding lead over the three chasing Bentleys, while it was all change once again among the fiercely fought Classic category front-runners. The Sheach’s Volvo now upheld local Scandinavian hopes ahead of the Lewin’s RS1600 and the Stastny’s Volvo which had now dropped two places to hold third position.

Although day ten was shorter, Norway’s enthralling geography ensured it was no less demanding and dramatic. Two ferry crossings, a succession of spectacular glaciated valleys, endless panoramic viewpoints, three Regularities and another Speed Test all added pressure to the leaderboard. By day’s end, the previously leading Volvo 122S had slipped to third behind the Lewins’ Escort RS1600 and the Stastnys’ Volvo PV544.

The penultimate day included two further fjord crossings and began with two entertaining laps at Driftingbana Kauspanger before crews climbed the spectacular Snow Road to the highest point of the Nordic Challenge at 1,306 metres, where breathtaking views rewarded the ascent. Another unforgettable road followed through Aurlandsdalen, often referred to as Norway’s Grand Canyon, before the final overnight halt in the ski town of Geilo.

With the end now firmly in sight, Fjordland continued to challenge the once-leading Volvo of Tony and Rachel Sheach, which slipped a further two places behind Neil Smith’s Porsche 911 and the Roberts’ Triumph TR250.

A bright and clear final day kicked off with two Tests at Dagali Airport, the home of the John Haugland Winter Rally School and concluded with an easy touring run along the fjord to Oslo to the finish arch under the ski jumps in Holmenkollen.

While Manuel and Irene Dubs’ seemingly unstoppable Ford Coupe cruised home to claim overall honours in the Pre-War category, there was further drama in the closely contested Classic class which had seen no fewer than four different leaders since crews departed from Copenhagen.

Ean and Ali Lewin successfully retained first place to celebrate their third Rally the Globe victory, with Oli and Sabine Stastny securing second – the final day, however, brought one last reshuffle behind them. Neil Smith’s Porsche 911 dropped to sixth position, allowing Roy Stephenson and Ian Milne to charge into the top five aboard their fast-finishing Morris 1800S, bringing the curtain down on an outstanding edition of the Rally the Globe Nordic Challenge.

Ean was understandably delighted to have completed a hat-trick of Rally the Globe wins after his successes in the 2023 Alaska to Mexico Marathon in 2023 and last year’s Carrera Andalucia. “I’ve never been to Finland before and going through those WRC stages was unbelievable,” he enthused.

Navigator Alison was equally thrilled with their third success. “The rally was incredible, really well planned with some beautiful scenery to enjoy. We pushed the car quite hard and we were lucky at times but very consistent,” she reported.

Though they finished with a healthy advantage over the Bentleys behind, the Dubs were as much relieved as delighted to see the finishing line. “We limped home with only seven of our eight cylinders working,” admitted Manuel. “This has been a very good rally though with excellent roads and some great scenery.”

At the prize-giving all agreed that the Nordic Challenge had proved to be everything it promised and more – a true endurance rally through some of Europe’s most spectacular and least explored landscapes, combining world-class driving roads, unforgettable scenery and close competition throughout. For every crew that reached Oslo, it was an adventure that fully justified its billing as one of Rally the Globe’s toughest and most rewarding challenges yet.

“We’ve enjoyed 12 exceptional days of rallying with some great cars and some fantastic people,” concluded Mark Appleton, Rally the Globe’s Chief Operating Officer and Clerk of the Course for the event. “Scandinavia has put on a great show for us with its stunning landscapes, a variety of weather and plenty of exceptional hospitality.”

Next up on the busy Rally the Globe calendar is the Vintage El Clavel – a competitive adventure for older cars set amid the dramatic landscapes of north-west Spain.

The year then concludes with Rally the Globe’s first-ever non-competitive event. Already a sell-out Discover Sicily will take entrants on a magical 10-day premium driving tour beginning in Puglia, southern Italy, before crossing the Strait of Messina to explore the rich cultural, historic, scenic and gastronomic highlights of the Mediterranean’s largest island.

Next year commences in familiar fashion with two established Rally the Globe favourites – Generations Rally and Vintage Shamrock – followed by two unique adventures on either side of the Atlantic. In June comes the Carrera Bohemia exploring the best parts of Czechia, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.

Then in Autumn comes what promises to be a truly epic voyage through little-know America with an extraordinary 28-day route from Cape Cod in New England to historic Savannah in Georgia, via all five Great Lakes, the speed icon of Indianapolis and music meccas such as New Orleans and Nashville. A once-in-a-lifetime box ticker!

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