Ah… Gatebil Rudskogen. There isn’t a different automotive occasion in Scandinavia that may fill my lungs with tire smoke and go away my physique damaged like this one can. That is the place it’s at, however for those who missed it, I’m right here to assist.

Now that I can lastly breathe contemporary air once more, it’s time to share my expertise of summer season 2023’s largest Gatebil occasion.

Driving 5 hours from my house in Linköping (roughly two hours from Sweden’s capital, Stockholm) to anyplace isn’t that a lot of a thrill, however when it’s a competition with quick vehicles, loopy vehicles and much more vehicles, you possibly can’t assist however really feel excited the entire means. That’s till you you attain your location – on this case Rudskogen Motorsenter in Norway, and the skies open up like a scene from The Day After Tomorrow.

From the circuit’s outdated race management constructing – now its media heart and our humble abode for the three-day occasion – we may see the primary vehicles rolling out onto the observe. Some wasted completely no time sliding their means into what could be an unbelievable weekend.

Given how moist it was out, I spent an excellent chunk of Thursday afternoon watching the Tremendous 3 three-car crew drift follow and qualifying classes by the media heart home windows.

Final yr’s Tremendous 3 winner, Workforce Datsun, appeared like they’d the whole lot beneath management; the moist circumstances actually appeared to favour the lower-powered vehicles. Excessive-powered trios like Workforce Toyota, nonetheless, wanted to be a bit of lighter on the throttle.

The rain stopped utterly as soon as the qualifying classes got here to an finish, so I took the chance to stroll round and preview what had turned up for the festivities.

Present attendees, drifters and time attackers all had their vehicles trying tremendous, ready to strike come very first thing Friday.

And because the solar set issues received quiet, and for a quick second I felt at peace. However as I stood there admiring the view earlier than heading again to our makeshift accomodation to catch some shut-eye, a thought hit me like a freight practice: Sleep? What sleep? The subsequent time I’ll sleep shall be on Sunday night time, once I’m again in Linköping.

Solar’s Out, Weapons Out. It’s Friday!

It’s not like I may have slept in anyway, even when I needed to. The collective sound of a full discipline of Gatebil Time Assault Xtreme vehicles woke me up like an adrenaline shot. Then, at 8:00am sharp, the observe went stay for Gatebil Rudskogen 2023.

The most effective issues about Gatebil occasions is that you could rock up and participate in no matter you drive. For those that simply wish to have an excellent time on observe, the Open Line classes are the proper alternative to take action.

As soon as the Gatebil yellow cabs are out on observe,  issues are about to get loopy.

White smoke rapidly engulfed Rudskogen, and mixed with some insane warmth we had ourselves the equal of Burning Man. Minus the sandstorms, in fact.

With so many vehicles on observe without delay, accidents are going to occur. However with rescue and restoration employees round each nook, crashes and breakdowns had been rapidly cleaned up so the shenanigans may resume.

A few Tremendous 3 groups used the complete day to follow for the finals, which had been held later within the night. As they’d initially practiced and certified within the moist on Thursday – however Friday was utterly dry and extremely popular with observe temps within the excessive 40°Cs – a distinct method was wanted. This was very noticeable as soon as the finals began, however extra on that quickly.

Monitor clear up occurred every so often, which supplied a possibility to move right down to the paddocks. As I made my means over on one event, I snapped this image which hit me greater than I’d prefer to admit. This was precisely me 25+ years in the past once I started to understand that vehicles are life. Who is aware of, perhaps the child within the image will develop into a next-generation Speedhunter…

The paddocks had been at all times packed, which is an efficient factor. It undoubtedly felt like extra individuals attended the occasion this yr than they did in 2022, and whereas I can’t personally touch upon an extended time interval, most Gatebil Rudskogen regulars I spoke to stated it undoubtedly appeared loads busier than years previous.

There isn’t a scarcity of the bizarre, wacky and downright insane relating to Gatebil engine swaps, and I’ll be looking at a few loopy builds in some upcoming posts. However simply to present you a sneak peek…

I’m fairly positive this was the largest turbo setup at Gatebil Rudskogen this yr.

A brand new addition to the venue is the AutoTech Sport workshop, the primary and solely one in all its form in Norway. Right here, you possibly can hire out a spot to service, repair up or modify your automotive utilizing the newest gear.

Inside, the shiny new flooring was already getting accustomed to its new occupants, one in all them a crimson Ford GT40 duplicate.

By this time within the day the Tremendous 3 finals had been shut, so I began the lengthy trek to the photographers pit in the midst of the T14 flip, nicknamed Storsvingen. This spot put me proper within the thick of the motion.

The group had been hyped for the battles. Some wrestled for leisure whereas others introduced their stuffed animal alongside. The spectators by no means disappoint at Rudskogen, very like the Tremendous 3.

The foundations for this competitors are easy: Every crew of three drift as shut as potential to at least one one other whereas sustaining the most effective drift line by the judged part. The primary nook is commonly the trickiest and might be the decider for the rest of the run.

Those that get left behind within the first nook keep left behind. Pace is clearly one of many principal components of an excellent line, and with the observe being utterly dry the low-powered vehicles didn’t stand an opportunity.

Solely 12 groups out of 24 entered certified for a spot within the Tremendous 3 ultimate, so the drifting was of a excessive customary. FD driver Simen Olsen was in Workforce Rymax together with his A90 Toyota Supra, and as soon as this trio crossed the end line I assumed for positive they’d take the crown. However that was till I noticed who else was again in motion.

Fredric Aasbø’s Workforce Toyota returned sooner and stronger than ever, and as they entered the ultimate part of the nook the gang went nuts.

As soon as the mud settled and the smoke cleared, the drivers parked their battle machines in entrance of the gang to attend for the Tremendous 3 profitable crew to be introduced.

Finally, Workforce Toyota took again the crown. Workforce Rymax positioned second and Workforce Fullfinans third.

As I made my means again to the media room to seize some contemporary digital camera batteries, within the distance, the trumpets of victory echoed and Gatebil Rudskogen’s Friday afterparty was formally underway.

The stroll to the principle stage is at all times enjoyable. As I used to be carrying a ‘Gatebil Media’ vest, I used to be continually requested to take photographs. When this occurs you’re taking an image of a bunch whether or not you wish to or not.

The Gatebil Zoo is the place the animals nicely and really let free. There was extra individuals, extra flying beers and extra enjoyable than final yr’s Friday night time, so it was a good way to complete up the primary day of Gatebil Rudskogen 2023.

There’s tons extra to return, so stick round…

Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa

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