On the evening of June 21, 2025, the city of Deventer will host a rally event that may redefine how we talk about heritage motoring in the Netherlands. The first edition of the Midsommar Classic, organized by the Dutch Saab Classic Rallyteam, is a direct tribute to the legendary overnight Viking Rallies of the past—back when crews would start at dusk and keep driving through the night. This new rally carries that same DNA and places it into a contemporary setting, while still adhering to traditional rallying principles: intense navigation, mechanical trust, and unfiltered driver skill.
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A Return to Night Rallying Traditions
Unlike most daytime regularity events, the Midsommar Classic unfolds after sunset. With over 100 kilometers of route mapped through the wooded and rural landscapes of the Achterhoek region, participants will have to rely not only on their lighting setups but also on disciplined teamwork between driver and navigator. The rally is designed by Nico Slappendel, known for creating technically demanding and mentally engaging routes. It will be a genuine test of clarity under pressure, especially with partial night driving expected.
Open Format, Inclusive Entry
The rally is open to cars of all makes and ages. While the event celebrates Saab’s legacy in rallying, it does not exclude other classic or modern vehicles. Nevertheless, special attention is paid to Saab teams, who compete for points in the Erik Carlsson Competitie—a season-long championship in honor of Saab’s most iconic rally figure. For Saab drivers, this is more than participation: it is an official leg in a championship that continues Carlsson’s legacy.
Competition Structure: Tourklasse and Sportklasse
There are two competition classes. The Tourklasse is intended for crews who are new to rallying or still honing their skills. It emphasizes fundamental navigation without excessive complexity. The Sportklasse, by contrast, is tailored for experienced crews who can handle advanced route plotting and deceptive waypoints. Both classes are independently scored, and winners are awarded trophies at the finish.
One of the distinctive features of this rally is its stripped-back format. There are no intrusive speed controls or endless time pressure checks along the route. The only time controls take place at the start and finish, allowing participants to focus on accuracy and route logic rather than stopwatch micromanagement. This decision also enhances the classic feel of the event, aligning it with historical rally principles.
Entry Fee and Rally Logistics
The entry fee of 95 euros per crew includes all necessary rally materials, insurance via the Dutch Historic Rally Federation, as well as refreshments at the start and a mid-route pause. What participants get in return is not just a route and a schedule—it’s immersion. From the moment teams gather at the Van der Valk Hotel in Deventer, the sense of tradition, community, and anticipation begins to take hold.
Authentic Rallying Experience
The Midsommar Classic is not trying to be a spectacle for spectators or a nostalgia trip for collectors. It is designed as a working rally, where cars are driven hard, navigators earn their stripes, and the forest roads of Overijssel echo with the sound of vintage Saabs and other classics doing what they were built to do. The goal is not just to reach the finish line, but to engage in an experience that harks back to the core of Scandinavian-style rallying.
Saab Legacy Reinforced
For Saab enthusiasts specifically, the timing of this rally could not be more symbolic. Saab’s rallying heritage has always been intertwined with night events, adverse conditions, and the intellectual challenge of map-based navigation. The Midsommar Classic doesn’t just recreate these elements—it updates them in a way that makes them accessible to a new generation of drivers and navigators while remaining entirely faithful to the original spirit.
A Rally with Character
In a landscape increasingly dominated by sanitized motorsport formats and over-regulated events, the Midsommar Classic offers something rare: authenticity. Whether you are a longtime Saab rally participant or a first-time entrant with a well-prepared classic, the 2025 edition promises to be a rally worth remembering—not for fanfare, but for its content, character, and the stories that will inevitably be written in the beams of auxiliary lights cutting through the Dutch night.
More information and registration for the event are available on the Dutch Saab Classic Rallyteam’s official site: www.dutchsaabclassicrallyteam.nl/rally-competitie.
