The Finnish Ralli SM series, Finland’s premier rally championship, has unveiled an exciting calendar for its 2025 season. With seven thrilling races scheduled from January to September, including a mix of winter, summer, and autumn rallies, this year promises not only high-caliber competition but also international recognition and new partnerships that will elevate Finland’s position in the global rallying community.
The 2025 season kicks off with a bang on January 17-18 in Kuopio, a relatively new addition to the championship but rapidly gaining a reputation for its challenging courses in the Pohjois-Savo region. The Kuopio rally is followed by one of the most celebrated events in Finnish motorsport, the Arctic Lapland Rally in Rovaniemi, scheduled for January 30-February 1. This year marks a monumental occasion for the Arctic Rally, as it celebrates 60 consecutive years without a single interruption. “The Arctic Lapland Rally has become a symbol of endurance and resilience in Finnish rallying,” remarked a spokesperson for Ralli SM. “To see it reach 60 years without interruption is a testament to our commitment to the sport and the fans who support it.”
Rounding off the winter season is the Savonlinna Rally on March 7-8. Although it’s the only completely new event on this year’s calendar, the area has hosted the Historic Rally Trophy in recent years, making it familiar territory for rally enthusiasts.
Spring ushers in the summer leg of the series, beginning with the West Coast Rally in Turku on May 23-24. Turku has a special distinction this season, as it will serve as the inaugural joint event between the Finnish and Estonian championship series, marking a milestone in international collaboration. Discussions are ongoing to ensure this partnership continues beyond 2025, a promising development for both national championships. In mid-summer, the series returns to Kouvola on July 11-12, an iconic location steeped in tradition but relatively new to younger competitors who haven’t raced there since 2022.
The “Rally Super Weekend” will take place in Lahti on August 15-16, where Ralli SM will converge with the Historic European Championship (EC) and the Historic Rally Trophy, bringing together the past and present of rallying in a celebration of heritage and innovation. Finally, the season concludes on September 26-27 in Seinäjoki, where the Pohjanmaaralli Rally has traditionally been organized. This year, however, the rally will be hosted by South Ostrobothnia UA, which is also celebrating its 60th anniversary.
The five competitive classes and Finland Cup
The Ralli SM series features five competitive classes, each designed to bring out the best of various rally car specifications. These classes span from FIA Rally2/R5, catering to vehicles in the WRC2 World Series, to the National SM5 class, which includes four-wheel-drive cars such as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. Each class offers championship points for drivers, co-drivers, and even team entries, fostering a highly competitive atmosphere across the board.
The Finland Cup (Suomi Cup) is also back, running parallel to the Ralli SM events. Among the highlights is the Masters Cup, where experienced drivers over the age of 50 from classes SM1-SM5 and SC6 vie for the championship, keeping the spirit of competitive racing alive for seasoned rally enthusiasts.
In an effort to attract an even broader spectrum of drivers, the series also includes a dedicated category for WRC and RRC cars, as well as FIA RGT-classified vehicles. This unique class allows for exciting entries, from Porsches to Ferraris, and offers a testing ground for factory teams seeking to push their machines to the limit. Historic, junior, and senior classes are also included at the discretion of the event organizers, allowing for a comprehensive display of rally talent across generations.
2025 Ralli SM Championship calendar
01: SM Rally (Kuopio) – January 17-18, 2025
02: 60th Arctic Lapland Rally (Rovaniemi) – January 30-February 1, 2025
03: Savonlinna Rally (Savonlinna) – March 7-8, 2025
04: West Coast Rally (Turku) – May 23-24, 2025
05: SM Rally (Kouvola) – July 11-12, 2025
06: Rally Super Weekend (Lahti) – August 15-16, 2025
07: Seinäjoki Rally (Seinäjoki) – September 26-27, 2025
As the Ralli SM series looks to the 2025 season, there’s a palpable sense of excitement. With international partnerships, a diverse range of vehicle classes, and iconic race locations, the series is set to deliver a season of high-stakes competition and celebration.
