11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 set a new record with 365 4x4 cars from 11 countries during 16 sunny offroad days from Falkenberg to Kiruna! That's 15 vheicles more than last year although a petrol price of over 13 Swedish crowns...

New this year was that we drove offrod during all 16 offroad days, that means no isolated travel days, but that was a bit to tough...

Fantastic was the perfect weather with a shining sun and clear blue sky during all days on SOT. But the temperature was modest at 20-25 degrees Celsius, which is perfect for offroad driving.

SOT offered four new offroad areas this year: Kristianstad (Vånga gravel pit), Söderköping (Olerum, now Sweden's largest private offroad area), Märsta (Rosersberg 4WD Land) och Säter (Aspnäs motor track).

Thanks to alla participants, land owners and partners for the making of Sweden's and one of the world's greatest and most international 4x4 adventures!

Next year 12th Sweden Offroad Tour goes July 7-22 2007.
 
 

SOT 8.7 Falkenberg

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 got a really good start in Falkenberg! 65 4x4 cars came, which is a record for Falkenberg och double as many as last year! Already we have cars from six nations, including 10 cars from Denmark. We have cars from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, England, Germany and Holland.
For the first time the new seven seater Jeep Commander is taking part in SOT. Plus two Jeep Grand Cherokee of the new generation.
FAS, Floda Alternative Scouts, are with us again this year, but are now driving three new Suzuki Jimny.
Captain Tiffy and his Ventures Search & Rescue team from England are on the tour again offering medical service. Their Land Rover has problem with the rear tow hook and it needs welding, and they get free help from Göran Kastell and his nearby Land Rover repair! Captain Tiffy is also writing a SOT article for British Land Rover Monthly.
Conny Örnesved fom Vallentuna near Stockholm and his Jeep friends take part on the southern leg of SOT this year, after driving the northern one last summer. Conny is lame from neck and down but shows that nothing can stop a real offroader driving a rebuilt Jeep Wrangler that has the registration plate "LAME"!
But everyone miss Michael Miles, the engelsman in the green Range Rover, who has taken part in seven full SOT
so far. Maybe the most SOT-participant shows up later.
The weather conditions are perfect! A rain the night before dampened the dust and hindred the fire danger and gave a temperature on modest 25 degrees Celsius.
The earlier drieness made the offroad trails easy, and the only water hole turned into mud. The dry tracks also made that many dared to drive the difficult black marked trails.
The cameraderie around the fast food stand in tiny village Björnås was great.
We had a lottery every day of Dunlop-spare petrol tank, -socks , -keybands, Rindab-T-shirts, jeep-T-shirts and Traktor Power magazines.
On the way to Falkenberg we visited the newly opened Back To The 50's café, by old E4 (Sweden's Route 66!) north of  Skånes-Fagerhult, between Örkelljunga and Markaryd. An orgy in colourful metal signs from the 1950's, Coca Cola-stuff, Elvis Presley, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe!
The SOT-participants camped in the evening at Ivö Camping where they had to go by free ferry! A ferry unique camping indeed!
30 vehicles camped which is a SOT record!!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

On the way to Falkenberg we visited the newly opened Back to the 50's café in Skånes-Fagerhult.

Dutch Eric van Kollenburg and Anita Weppner drove a huge Ford F-250 pickup in Falkenberg.

You dont' see a meeting between two new Jeep Grand Cherokee very often in the forest.

Mats Nilsson's Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD 2005 from Helsingborg gets help from co-pilote.

Swede Patrik Falk from Brålanda sneaks along the trails in his Land Rover Defender 110 1998.

Halmstad's John Färnstrand drove a good bit of SOT in his modified Jeep Wrangler 1991.

Trelleborg's Bo-Göran Persson tackles the stony trail in his Warn-equipped Jeep Wrangler 1991.

Morgan and son Ola Wulff from Svedala had changed their Nissan for a Jeep Wrangler 1999.

Dane Michael Bröndt lets grilfriend Ellis drive their new Jeep Grand Cherokee 20006.

Danish Toyota team repair a dented rear fender with a Hi-Lift. Sweden has lots of stones!

Carl Henrik Carlsson fighted a long time in this tricky slope with his MB G-wagen 300 GD 1985.

Rune Mårtensson from Stenungsund drove a Jeep Wrangler 2005. One of 65 cars in Falkenberg.

The tour leader's Warn-equipped Jeep Cherokee CRD 2003 was the only one to drive all 16 days.

Floda Alternative Scouts are tough boys but need some energy massage from masseuse Malin. 
 

SOT 9.7 Kristianstad

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 attracted 75 vehicles in Kristianstad, which is as much as former military offrod area Hovdala outside Hässleholm last year, which was then an annual SOT record! A fantastic number for our new offroad area in Vånga, a large gravel pit with surrounding trails and forest.
SOT has in its 11 year history never had so many cars during its first weekend. Is it time for the "ketchup-effect" for Sweden's greatest 4x4 adventure?! Is it time for a break through after a decace?!
Vånga offers exciting driving in soft sand, steep slopes and winding trails. But the only water hole was just some mud...
A Polish car has joined, family Hebel in their military green Land Rover, just as a Belgian Land Rover, so now we are 8 nations on this years SOT so far.
German Wolfgang Kurth in his unique Jeep Wrangler Rubicon who joined two years ago is with us again. The foreigners love the freedom of SOT. And many of them writes about it in their club magazines or on personal web sites!
A sensation is tha Danish Radio has a female reporter doing a documentary on Sweden Offroad Tour! There is a big interest for SOT from our neighbour country, already 20 Danish cars have taken part during the first weekend!
We also have two Dutch fullsize pickups with extended cabs and rear "suicide doors"! They are the biggest vehicles taking part in SOT in history, true trucks! But the Swedish forests sometimes feel narrow for them...
Jeep Club Sweden's founder and once again chairman David Engbe is on site with his Jeep Wrangler, plus many club members in their Jeeps.
The weather is excellent with a little bit of rain during the night before and up to 28 degrees Celsius and sun during the day. Maybe it was a little bit to hot in the bottom of the gravel pit but there was a slight wind. Luckily enough the big lake Ivösjön is nearby and many took a cool swim, including tour leader Peter Öjerskog himself.
We had no food service on site this time, but in the Vånga cross road is a good kiosk who serve home made mashed potatoes!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret.

A ferry unique camping indeed! Danish Toyota team takes the free ferry to Ivö Camping.

SOT secreatary Duan Chalermchai puts up yet another Jeep sign at the Vånga cross road.

New offroad site Vånga gravel pit outside Kristianstad set an annual SOT record with 75 vehicles.

The Warn-equipped tour leader-Jeep leads the voluntary driving education every morning.

Anders and Karl-Anton Brötmark from Bjärred drove a rare Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi 2005.

A Land Rover Discovery has problems in Vånga gravel pit, which offers soft and deep sand.

Vånga gravel pit is large and also offers steep slopes, winding curves and fine forest trails.

Sandy like home for this Danish Land Rover Discovery. Totally 31 Danish cars took part!

Peter Aagesen's and Julie Syversen's Land Rover Defender 1987 helps a Danish colleague...

...and then try themselves the challenging gravel hill. SOT offers all types of terraiin during 16 days.

Dane Kim Mortensen's over 30 years old Land Rover Serie III 1975 has a motor problem in the heat.
 

SOT 10.7 Karlshamn

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 offered a great offroad day also under its third day, in Karlshamn. 60 cars arrived, which is tremendous for a Monday, a regular weekday. If it goes on like this SOT 2006 will set a new record!
The offroad area "Paradize" by Hoka race track is regarded as Sweden's finest private offroad area. And many praised the terrain with its beautiful forest, winding trails, steep granite slopes and wet swamp. One can see when an offroad area is good. The people continue to drive all the time until 4 pm. And that was the case in Karlshamn.
A Mercedes Geländewagen from Switzerland has arrived and now we are 9 nations on SOT so far. The Swiss car has earlier been shipped to South America for an offroad adventure around half the continent. But now it's time for Sweden's greatest 4x4 adventure!
As mentioned earlier Denmark Radio is doing a documentary on Sweden Offroad Tour! Female reporter Rikke Hedeaeger Matthiesen has been going round with Danish cars on SOT. But now it was time to go with the tour leader-Jeep, a Warn-equipped Cherokee CRD 2003, and doing an interview with Peter Öjerskog at the same time. Rikke took part in the voluntary driving education and also drove the tour leader-Jeep.
Fredrik Närenbäck from Blekinge county in a modiied Willys-Jeep was the only one to try the big swamp, but he had to winch all the way through...
We continue to sell our blue/yellow Sweden Offroad Tour-T-shirts. Take the chance to buy one because there are only 100 of these attractive souvenir. We also sell Jeep-T-shirts and Jeep-piké-shirts.
The fast food stand kept the drinks extra cold in the heat and at the same time put up a tent over the tables and chairs to shadow the customers. Thanks! Otherwise the temperature is perfect this day, 25 degrees Celsius and a slight wind. And it looks like the fine summer weather will continue!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Warn and Rindab are trusty sponsors of Sweden Offroad Tour and Terräng Touring every year.

Micke Lvov from Växjö with his Jeep Grand Cherokee 1995 tackles a granite slab in Karlshamn.

Mats, Tim and Oliver Ahlberg from Hässleholm drove a camouflage(?) Lada Niva 1994.

Lame Conny Örnesved from Vallentuna drove SOT again in his tough Jeep Wrangler 1998.

Family Hebel in a military green Land Rover Defender 1993. Only Polish vehicle this year!

Lars Blomdahl from Ronneby is forced to repair hos Volvo Valp 1963 in muddy Karlshamn.

Jeep Club Sweden had their information tent and secured new members, now over 300!

Mikael Ekbring from Åseda drove a Jeep Cherokee 1979. Sofia and Carl Ekbring were with him.

A Danish Range Rover tests an advanced winchning to get through the wet trails by the swamp.

Joel Lundé and friend Niklas Warnd from Tingsryd tries a nasty trail in their Volvo Valp 1967.

Fredrik Närenbäck and his modified Willys MB 1944 had to winch through the entire swamp...
 

SOT 11.7 Karlskrona

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 continued on its fourth day with perfect summer weather in Karlskrona: 25 degrees Celsius and a slight wind.
To Blekinge Offroad Adventure Camp came 45 4x4 cars. A good figure when you know it's a Tuesday down in the south east corner of Sweden, "Sweden's end"...
The Adventure Camp offers 10 km of trails, and many foreigners regard them as the best on the whole tour. The drought makes the trails fairly easy to drive, but they still demand technical driving skill. Still there was one large water hole, unusual this summer.
The big Dutch pickups, a Ford F-250 and one Dodge 250, both with extended cabs, try to find room in the Swedish forests, but it's cramped for these big trucks.
The high light at Blekinge Offroad Adventure Camp is the lunch at Basecamp. This year we got grilled chicken leg with fried potatoes and salsa, to be washed down with cold drinks, sitting by the nice lake. A rare moment to remember.
The SOT participants could also play dart, throw knieves and paddle a canoe for free.
The camp has the world's only 6x6 sauna! An old Volvo truck conviniently parked just by the lakeside.
We continue to sell our blue/yellow Sweden Offroad Tour-T-shirts.
On the fourth day on SOT the participants start to know each other. Slowly the unique feeling called "team spirit" is awakening.
Now it's "only "12 days left on SOT 2006...
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Some of many sand coloured Volvo Valps ("Puppies") used by Blekinge Offroad Adventure Camp.

The Warn-equipped tour leader-Jeep swims camly through the big water hole in Karlskrona.

Karin Bengtsson from Enköping slowly goes down the granite mountain in her Mahindra-jeep.

German Volker Reetz' Toyota Land Cruiser 1997 passes the narrow "wolf trap"  in Boasjö.

One minute a wet and muddy water hole for this short Danish Land Rover of old model...

...and in the other minute a dusty and stony uphill. SOT varies all the time during 16 days!

SOT-secretary Duan Chalermchai was one of many who borrowed the canoe att BaseCamp.

The tour leader-Jeep looks small between these two giant boulders near the offroad area.

We gave out Dunlop gastanks during the lottery. Sisters Astrid, Unn och Lif Wilsby won one.
 
 

SOT 12.7 Vetlanda

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 attracted on its fifth day 45 4x4 cars, a good number for being a Wednesday.
Ökna offers a large offroad area with long forest trails, old and poor roads, granite slopes, piles of stones, water holes and swamps.
The drought mad the levels record low in the water holes, but there were still a lot of muddy trails.
The high light was the lunch served at Ökna folk museum, that neighbour family Green hade fixed. We ate homecooked meat balls, cooked potatoes, brown sauce, lingonberries, salad, drink, coffee, tea and cookie for just 50 SEK! It was a true enjoyment to sit in the shadow of the old leaf tree surrounded by old red and wooden houses and eating this genuine Swedish food!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Ökna offers undulating meadows. Peter Fors' Jeep Grand Cherokee 1998 is up front.

Dog enthusiast Krister Ström from Enköping has joined many SOT in his Jeep Wrangler 1991.

The tour leader-Jeep splashes unhindred through the water hole in Ökna, because levels were low

Finest moment on SOT was when family Green served home cooked food at Ökna folk museum.

Tobias Håkansson from Vetlanda is rolling stones with his Volvo Sugga ("Sow") 1957.
 

SOT 13.7 Söderköping

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 offered on its sixth day a brand new offroad area for SOT. Olerum, south west of Söderköping, has new offroad trails and is now Sweden's largest private offroad area. Here you get everything: long undulating forest trails, magnificent granite mountain, large open fields, big water hole and deep mud holes!
Olerum attracted 60 4x4 cars, an astonishing number for a Thursday. It was surprisingly wet due to a heavy skyfall the other day, which made the trails muddy.
The SOT day was arranged in co-operation with Olerum Offroaders, who had managed fine food service with hot dogs, sandwiches, cookies, cold drinks and hot drinks.
As a final the club's 6x6 Volvos put on a great show in theworst mud hole. This is old sea bottom and the mud gets awfully slippery at slightest wetness. Only the land owners Volvo 6x6 made it through thanks to a heavy gas foot!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Söderköping offered unexpected mud. Danes Henning and Lene Larsen drove a Galloper 1998.

Brothers Erik and Emil Andersson from Västerås try granite in their Nissan Terrano II 1996.

British couple Nigel and Nancy Moffat try glacier polished granite in their Range Rover Classic 1994.

The land owner in Olerum was the only one who finally got through the worst mud hole.
 

SOT 14.7 Kumla

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 Juli attracted on its seventh day 45 4x4 cars, a fair figure for a weekday. 
The good thing about the offroad area in Brändåsen is that there are always wet areas because of the subsoil waters. Then you get a fascinating mix of dry mud and wet water holes.
Brändåsen offers both forest trails, open fields, soil piles, water holes, technical obstacles and a deep mud hole. A couple of american fullsize vehicles tried to get through but got so stuck double winches had to pull them out.
The good fast food stand served hot dogs and hamburgers, sandwiches and cookies, drinks and coffee, fruits and candy. The stand has now a sheltering fence so you could eat protected and undisturbed.
On the way to Strängnäs we stopped at restaurant Mälarstrand Krog & Café in Västerås to eat a good grill buffee. The restaurant is not located by the lake Mälaren, but ON the lake!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK Försvaret , Jeep Club Sweden, Mälarstrand Krog & Café

Summer's most talked about art: the artist has made a "Hollywood sign" of his surname outside Kumla.

Englishman P.G "Captain Tiffy" Pearce-Smith with his young cadets blowing the horn each morning

Jimmy Jonsson wades in mud in his Jeep Cherokee 1984 with children Hampus, Viktor och Alex.

Dennis Fintling from Örebro splashes his Jeep CJ-5 1975. Brändåsen was wettest this year.

Norwegian Kjell Cato Öglem and his thai wife try the log bridge in their Jeep Cherokee 1994.

This obstacle is suitable for Vincent Andersson's long wheel base Chevrolet Suburban K10 1989.

Cocky 'n' rocky Nissan Patrol parking in Brändåsen gives a convinient view of the chassi.

Dutch couple Hans van det Kooy och Inge Baak take a roof relax on their Land Rover 110 2001.
 

SOT 15.7 Strängnäs

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 attracted on its eight day totally 60 4x4 cars. It's Saturday and on weekdays there are always more vehicles.
Sandlycke offers the largest and best private offroad area around lake Mälaren. A two kilometres long power line with surrounding terrain. Open fields are mixed with forest trails.
The warmness has made the terrain dry and dusty, but at the northern end there are lots of muddy trails and the water holes are still full.
Motor journalist Kalle Holmberg from Dagens Nyheter (Sweden's largest daily) took the chance to offroad test the new Suzuki Jimny and Fiat Panda, two 4x4 micros, during SOT.
The weather is still perfect for offroading, 25 degrees Celsius and a slight wind. Many took the chance to take a refreshing swim in Lake Mälaren.
Our three star food stand served hot dogs and home made coconut cake, homebrewed coffee and cold drinks.
We still sell our SOT-T-shirts and Jeep-T-shirts.
With SOT Strängnäs we have done exactly half of the tour. Now we have eight offroad days left.
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

The water holes in Strängnäs are filled due to subsoil waters. A Jeep Cherokee leads the convoy.
 

DNs motor reporter Kalle Holmberg offroad tested the new Suzuki Jimny in Sandlycke.
 

German Wolfgang Kurth drove SOT for the second year in his unique Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2003.
 

SOT 16.7 Stockholm

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 could proudly present 60 4x4 vehicles on its ninth day. It's Sunday and there are always more vehicles during weekends. For example two Finnish cars showed up straight from the ferry between Finland and Stockholm and now we are nine nations on SOT. 
The weather forecasts kept their promise with 25 degrees Celsius, shining sun and clear blue sky without a single cloud during the whole day!
Many participants took a swim in the Baltic Sea at Östnora Camping.
It was dusty but still wetness in the mud ditches. The afternoon's safari drive was traditionally ended when the convoy drove down the magnificent granite mountain, Sweden's Rubicon Trail!
Swedish offroad legend Robban Andersson from Stockholm came by in a GMC "Duck" 6x6 amphibian, just from an amphibian meeting in Italy!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Björn Carlstedt from Solna tested the many sand slopes in Ekeby in his Jeep Wrangler 1999.

A modified Suzuki nearly drowns in the worst mud ditch during the SOT day in Stockholm.

Sweden's Rubicon Trail! A Jeep Cherokee sneaks down the magnificent granite mountain.

The Warn-equipped tour leader-Jeep leads the voluntary afternoon safari every SOT day.

Offrod legend Robban Andersson from Stockholm came by in his amphibian GMC "Duck" 6x6!

The granite mountain is the "examination" of the safari drive. A LR Disco climbs carefully.

A heavily modified Jeep Wrangler tackles the granite with gravel sqcreeching under the tires.
 

SOT 17.7 Märsta

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 presented on its tenth offroad day yet another new offroad area: Rosersberg 4WD Land outside Märsta north of Stockholm.
The area was much better than we expected. Fantastic challenging trails, small stones combined with granit slabs and muddy parts. Plus two big mud holes.
Those who wanted could try out the blanace ramp and keep your car horisontal two metres above the ground.
Tour leader Peter Öjerskog visited Rosersberg ten years ago but the area has developed greatly. It was fun that even the tour leader could drive on new exciting trails!
Almost 50 4x4 cars particpated, a good figure for a weekday.
Now SOT leaves the Stockholm region a heads for Lapland and that's when the real adventure starts!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Only 800 kilometres! Anders Bryh takes the offroad virgin on his brand new Jeep Wrangler 2006!

With a little help from my friend! Nigel Moffat tries to balance on the ramp at Märsta near Stockholm.

Rosersberg 4WD Land had fantstic offroad trails! A German Jeep Wrangler seems to like them.
 
SOT 18.7 Säter

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 Juli 2006 offered on its 11th day another new offroad area, the fourth this year. The site was Säter's Motor Club's motor track with surrounding terrain at Aspnäs west of Säter.
The motor track has both forest trails, Laplandish swamps (called "myr" in Swedish), a motocross track and a gravel folk race track. It was fun for everyone, including tour leader Peter Öjerskog, to drive on a new offroad area!
The long, narrow and undulating motocross track was a fine bonus. But the real challenge was the "myr" with its sparse trees. Here you have to find the right way to discover buoyancy under the wheels. A first taste of Lapland's challenging nature.
A Volvo XC 90 from Ausrtria showed up unexpectedly and therefore we have cars from 11 different nations on this year's SOT.
The sun continues to shine 11 days in a row, even if the temperature has sunken to 20 degrees Celsius, which is perfect for offroading.
The motor club's kiosk served freshly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, home baked buns, plus coffee and drink.
10 years old membler Oscar Lundgren put on a show with extra long jumps with his motocross bike on the mini cross track!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

At the crossing of E4/Dalälven river a Chinese billionaire is building The Dragon Gate!

In Säter you find the fantastic Jansson's Café with genuine atmosphere of the Swedish 50's.

The gold of Lapland! Already at the "myr" at Aspnäs SOT-secretary found cloudberrys!

Danes Mikkel Birger and son Finn B. Hansen got stuck in the "myr" with their LR 90 1995.

Jon Winlöf from Uppsala found buoyancy on the "myr" for his rebuilt Jeep Grand Cherokee 1996.

Andes Lejdebo, with children Max, 6 år, och Lina, 11 år, drove his trusty Jeep Cherokee 1991.

Säter was a new SOT area this year with varied and exciting terrain around the Aspnäs track.

Stefan Newstam arranged the SOT-day in Säter and drove his Suzuki SJ410 1986 in the muddy ditch.

Danish couple Anders and Helle Northeved enjoys the undulating cross track in their LR 2002.

10 years old motor club member Oscar Lundgren put on a show at the minicross track.
 
 

SOT 19.7 Söderhamn

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 presented on its 12th day the most different offroad area: Norrlandsporten's ski slopes with a height difference of 300 metres! It's a real challenge to climb this mountain up the pists, where a green pist marks the easiest way and a black pist the most difficult. It's also permitted to drive off pist between the slopes.
From the top of the mountain the SOT-participants have a breathtaking panorama over the big lake Bergviken and Lapland's beginning mountains and endless forests.
In the afternoon the sun had warmed up the cool wind from the North and many participants took a swim in lake Bergviken. It was perfect to wash of the dust of the day.
SOT Söderhamn attracted 30 4x4 cars, an acceptable number for being a Wednesday and sparsely populated Lapland, 2000 kilometres from Central Europe.
We now had sunny weather for 12 days in a row and the soil is really dry with a great fire danger.
In the evening some of the SOT-participants visited the motor meeting at Midlanda Motorpark in Härnösand where three of the German cars won cups, for the dirtiest car for example.
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

What is better than a summer breakfast at Norrlandsporten? wonder Dutch couple Hans och Inge.

Danes Thomas Ustrup and Christine Husum drove a former military G-wagen GD 240 1988.

German Armin Heun drove a new Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005 up the slopes in Norrlandsporten.

The Warn-equipped tour leader-Jeep Cherokee enjoys the panorama over a beginning Lapland.

A short Land Rover Defender chews sand at the foot of Norrlandsporten west of Söderhamn.

Kjell Bergman from Gävle brougth tthe whole family his year in his blue Jeep Wrangler 1992.

Dansish couple Thomas Ustrup and Christine Husum first drove up the long bark pist...

...and then down gravel and granite in their former military G-wagen GD 240 1988.

The tour leader-Jeep guides the afternoon safari with magnificent views over lake Bergviken.

John Färnstrand from Halmstad tried exciting off pist in his modified Jeep Wrangler 1991.

Dutch couple Hans van det Kooy and Inge Baak took a refreshing swim in lake Bergviken.
 
 

SOT 20.7 Härnösand

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 Juli 2006 tested for the first time to drive offroad during all 16 days. That was not a good idea. Because at SOT Härnösand only 20 cars showed up.
The reason was that the next day's SOT-drive was over 500 kilomtres north in Kalix. And asking the SOT-participants to first drive six hours of offroad and then 500 kilometres transport in one day is simply to much. The result was that a good part of the core group skipped Härnösand and used the day as a travel day to Kalix. The mistake won't be repeated again...
But we who drove at Midlanda Motorpark had a nice and sunny offroad day. The motor track area offers motocross track, forest trails, granite mountain and swampy "myr". The forest hills are now supervised by stone trolls and mini Santa Clauses!
The heat hade made the "myr" dry and for the first time the stock 4x4s could drive over it. The granite moutain is always a thrill to climb!
The military home guard took part in their Volvo 6x6.
For lunch we had "Laplandish kebab"!
The evening before was as nice when the military home guard and the SOT-participants took part in the motor meeting "Onsdagsbus" (Wednesday Crazy) at the motor track. Beside an offroad show on the motocross track, two military Volvo 6x6 from the home guard drove a dragrace. The audience was excited!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Wednesday Crazy! The home guard competed their two military Volvo 6x6 in a dragrace!

Three German SOT-cars won cups, for dirtiest car for example, during Wedensday Crazy.

Midlanda Motorpark has built a leaning obstacle. A Dutch Land Rover Deefender tries out.

Kenneth Sillman and son Vilgot from Kvissleby drove a Jeep Wrangler 1989 on the "myr".

Tomas Nordgren from the home guard practised offroad driving in a military Volvo 6x6.

When the Knott 4x4 meet was cancelled Peter Rönnhäll's Toyota Hilux 1990 came from Umeå.

Charming mini Santra Clauses and stone trolls har now supervising the trails in Härnösand!

The afternoon safari climbs the magnificent granite mountain with a good view over the forests.

David Rinkeholt and Michael Widen from Söråker joined also this year in a Suzuki Samurai 1989.

SOT Härnösand attracted few cars because of over 500 kilometres transport to Kalix same day...

The Caravan Museum in Dorotea is a must. Free entrance and time typical environment.

Jävre Tourist Station was built 1966 on the left side, before traffic was changed to the right in 1967.

The Petrol Museum in Älvsbyn contains gas staiton nostalgia with all the old classic brands.
 

SOT 21.7 Kalix

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 had in Kalix yet another sunny day, the 14th in a row!
Marieberg's Wildlife Farm attracted 30 4x4 cars, many of the from cities Boden and Luleå plus neighbour country Norway. For many 4x4-enthusiasts in northern Norway SOT is their closest offroad meeting!
The Wildlife Farm offers a square kilometre large fenced offroad area, where reindeers and deers wander free.
Most popular is the creek in the middle of the area where everyone tried to manage the stony ford with the other partcipants looking on.
The lunch consisted of wild boar sausage and fried potatoes, served at the "restaurant in the forest", right out in the wilderness.
In the afternoon we looked at the farm's exhibition of old army vehicles and military buildings, including a genuine cinema from the 1940's!
Some of the participants took a refreshing swim in the wide Kalix river.
We ended the day by looking at and feeding the wild boars!
In the evening most of the SOT core group drove up the treeless mountain (called "kalfjäll" in Swedish) Dundret outside Gällivare to look at the midnight sun and 1/10 of Sweden! And to eat waffles with whipped cream and cloudberry jam in the Midnight Café at the top!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

The tame "tourist reindeer" at Marieberg's Wildlife Farm always shows up during SOT!

The SOT-participants drove in convoy into the fenced Wildlife Farm among reindeers and deers.

Most power on SOT? Boden's Anders Carlsson drove a Chevrolet K2500 1992 with 454 V8!

In the middle of the wildlife area is an "island" that the SOT-participants drive around.

One of many Norwegians in Kalix: Stefan and Veronica Esaiassen's Toyota LC HJ60 1983.

Björn Björlin and Cecilia Assiks from Gothenburg drove a Toyota HZJ75 1993 over the creek.

Brother Joel Björlins Suzuki Jimny 2004 almost fell into the water but was rescued by winching.

GermanWolfgang Kurths unique Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2003 went effortless over the creek.

When the 4x4 meet on Boden were cancelled Micael Sandberg's Jeep Cherokee 1992 came to Kalix.

One of three Finnish cars (a record!) on SOT: family Karttinens battered Range Rover 1981.

Dutch Edwin Rontberg and girlfriend drove their LR Defender 90 2000 all the way to Kiruna.

Per-Ola Larsson from Luleå tested the most difficult creek in his Volvo TP 21 "Sow" 1954.

The tame"tourist-reindeer" has during the years become increasingly interested in offroading!

Exotic Marieberg's Vildlife Farm west of Kalix is located just by the huge Kalix river.
 

SOT 22.7 Gällivare

11th Sweden Offroad Tour July 8-23 2006 continues to be lucky with the weather. 15th sunny day in a row in Gällivare!
The evening before the SOT-participants drove up the treeless mountain Dundret to look at the midnight sun and eat waffles with cloudberry jam at the Midnigth Café on top, which is open just four hours between 9 pm and 1 am!
Gällivare offers Sarkasvaara's enormous gravel pit on both side of a river. Beside all gravel slopes there are many shallow but large water holes to splash through.
On the other side of the river i s a huge sand pit where everyone try to race to the top with spinning and chewing wheels in the soft sand. A playground for grownups!
SOT Gällivare attracted 40 4x4 cars, a fantastic number for Lapland, thanks to heavy local promotion from SOT partners Kjelle, Maria and Kent. For example they put up a huge SOT-sign at the entrance to Gällivare!
The local football club(!) served freshly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, sandwiches and homebaked cookies, drinks and coffee.
At 2 pm the safarai drive went to the ghost mining village Nautanen right out in the wilderness. We looked at the mines and the fantastic view over the abandoned landscape.
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

The night beforeSOT Gällivare the participants drove up the treeless mountain Dundret.

The weather is always fine in Gällivare but it's to late to see the real midnight sun on July 22.

The Midnigth Café on top of Dundret serves waffles with whipped cream and cloudberry jam.

Anders Dahlström from Luleå in a Jeep Wrangler 1989 explores the gravel pit outside Gällivare.

Stefan Landström from Gällivare had equipped his Nissan Patrol 1994 since the debut last year.

Sarkasvaara's enormous gravel pit also offers shallow water holes to play around in.

Brits Mike och Andy Sayer are digging gravel with their well used Range Rover 1989.

Gravel meet: Joel Björlin (Suzuki), Björn Björlin (red Toyota), Stefan Esaiassen (white Toyota).

Local SOT-promotor Kent Fyrén with his company imega.se drove a Volvo Tgb 11 1975.

The tuor leader-Jeep cruises the beautiful and unique "fairy tale forest" in northern Lapland.

Germans Ralf Fehlberg and Marina Picone play amphibian with their Nissan Patrol GR 20001.

One of two classic Jeep Cherokee (1980) on SOT 2006 belongs to Robert Hansson from Koskullskulle.

Everything is bigger in Lapland! Sakrasvaara's huge gravel pit with Dundret at the horizon. 

The tour leader-Jeep chews gravel in Sarkasvaara outside Koskullskulle. A 4x4 paradise!

For many 4x4-enthusiasts in northern Norway SOT in Lapland is their nearest offroad meetings!

Odd Henning Olsens long Mitsubishi Pajero 2000 dives into one of many water holes.

Our SOT-partners Kjell-Ove Mickelsson and Maria Larsson drove a Volvo Tgb 11 1975.

Leif Wiklund from Gällivare drove his Jeep Cherokee 2005 with beautiful chromed grill.

The afternoon's safari went to the gravel pit on the other side of the river, doubling the area!

The highlight at the western area is the gigantic pit with soft sand. A playground for grownups!

It shows when Sweden Offroad Tour comes to Gällivare! Thanks imega.se for the sign!

SOT Gällivare ends with a trip to ghost mining village Nautanen right out in the wilderness.

This is not the entrance to Stockholm! Road 45 is sparsely trafficed in northern Lapland.
 
 

SOT 23.7 Kiruna

11th Sweden Offroad Tour 8-23 Juli 2006 has reached its finish: Kiruna, Sweden's northernmost city, where we always have finished SOT 11, years in a row.
Believe it or not, but the sun i shining for the 16th day days when 30 cars start the Magical Mystery Offroad Tour right out in the "fjäll"-birch forest.The heat in the days and the cold in the night has killed (almost) all the mosquitos. Unbelievable for being a forest in Lapland!
Tha Magical Tour offers a two kilometres long offroad trail just to reach the actual offroad area, which is a rollercoaster of undulating and winding trails up and down the hills.
From a gravel top we have a magnificent panorma over the wilderness, the Kiruna mine and the city Kiruna at the horizon.
The afternoon safari follows a very wet(!) trail to a clearwater lake, where some of the bravest took a nude swim.
Back at the Ripan Camping in Kiruna it's time for farewell dinner at 4 pm. The buffee is 100 percent Laplandish: reindeer stew, mashed potatoes, lingoberrys, lingonberry juice and "thinbread".
Tour leader Peter Öjerskog and sercetary Duan Chalermchai hand out SOT-diplomas and every driver get a free SOT-T-shirt or Jeep-T-shirt.
11th Sweden Offroad Tour sets at new record with 365 4x4 cars from 11 countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, England, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Poland! Quite an effort when the petrol price in Sweden is over 13 SEK per liter...
For the first time no one except the tour leader-Jeep went "all the way - all the days", meaning taking part in all 16 offroad days. Another halfdozen cars went all the way but skipped a couple of offroad days.
The core group of SOT 2006 is now a friendly team after 16 offroad days and the talking and address-exchanging just continues. Tour leader Peter Öjerskog can lean back at the dinner and enjoy the cameraderie. The participants simply don't want SOT to end!
At 11 pm the convoy drive up to the top of the Luossavaara-mountain. Here the FAS-gang has already camped in the coldness of just 8 degrees Celsius.
Unfortunately the sun is a bit hazy behind som clouds at the horizon. But the particiapatns can clearly see that it's there. During 11 years (and 22 chances as we stay in Kiruna two nights) we have only seen a clear midnight sun 3 times!
Exactly at 24 pm tour leader Peter Öjerskog declares that SOT 2006 is over.
If you have put out SOT-photos on the Internet, please mail Peter Öjerskog, and we put out a link to your site.
12th Sweden Offroad Tour goes July 7-22  2007!
Partners: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV, Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret

Big Brother's home in Kiruna. Here he controls all Swedish citizens with his speed cameras...

The tour leader-Jeep on Luoassavaara mounatin. North of here is wilderness large as Belgium!

The Magical Mystery Offroad Tour in Kiruna heads right out into the "fjäll"-birch forest

Marcus Nyström and Mia Mörtlund in a Mitsubishi Pajero 1999 were the only ones from Kiruna.

A 2 kilometres long, varied and wonderfull trail leads to the actual offroad area in the forest.

Last SOT-day! Sweden's greatest 4x4 adventure always ends in Kiruna, above the Arctic Circle.

The artificial gravel hill is popular for its mosquito-free panorama over Kiruna and the mine.

We have saved 10 Sweden Offroad Tour-T-shirts for the lotteries during our TT-meetings .

Although a sunny summer there was still wetness in Kiruna. A Jeep Cherokee tastes som mud.

Norwegian winchning at the mud trail. Half of the SOT-participants in Kiruna were from Norway.

Norwegian Anders Simonsen managed to drive through the worst mud trail in his Suzuki 1984.

Gravelway to heaven! The gravel hill is popular for its view over the wilderness around Kiruna.

The afternoon's safari went along a wet trail to a clearwater lake where some people swimmed naked!

The Finnish gang, including chairman of Rover Friends Finland, drove Range Rover och Land Rover

The creek passage on the wet trail gets worse for every year because of the sedimentary...

...but on the way back it becomes easier. Like for Ole-Christian Iversen's Nissan Patrol 1996.

Although sun on all 16 offroad days  the finish in Kiruna was quite wet for the tour leader-Jeep.

At 12 pm SOT 2006 ends at the top of the Luossavaara mountain with a clouded midnight sun.
 
 

Sunny Record With 365 Cars On Sweden Offroad Tour 2006:

       Date of the year: 8-23.7 2006.
       Offroad sites of the year: Falkenberg, Kristianstad, Karlshamn, Karlskrona, Vetlanda,
       Söderköping, Kumla, Strängnäs, Stockholm, Märsta, Säter, Söderhamn, Härnösand, Kalix,
       Gällivare, Kiruna.
       New sites of the year: Kristianstad (Vånga gravel pit), Söderköping (Olerum, now Sweden's
       largest private offroad area), Märsta (Rosersberg 4WD Land), Säter (Aspnäs motortrack).
       Record of the year 1: 365 4x4 cars (with an average of 50 cars per day), 15 more than last
       year, although a petrol price at over 13 SEK. SOT is Sweden's and one of the world's greatest
       offroad adventures!
       Record of the year 2: Offroad driving during all 16 days, not one single travel day.
       Record of the year 3: Sun and no rain during all the 16 offroad days!
       All the way - all the days of the year: Only the Tour Leader-Jeep drove during all the 16
       offroad days. No other vehicle for the first time in 11 years. But another half dozen vehicles drove
       all the way but skipped som days.
      Most cars of the year: SOT Kristianstad 9.7 with 75 cars
       Least cars of the year: SOT Härnösand 20.7 with 20 cars, depending on 500 kilometres transport
       same day to Kalix...
       Partners of the year: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, LNTV,
       Motor-Life, SBF, KAK och Försvaret
       Largest foreign group of the year: Denmark with 31 cars. Followed by Norway (16),
       Germany (10), Holland (6), England (6 ), Finland (4), Switzerland (1), Belgium(1), Poland (1),
       Austria (1). Totally 11 nations which makes SOT Sweden's most international 4x4 adventure.
       Surprise of the year: SOT Märsta 17.7. That Rosersberg 4WD Land held such a high class!
       Excellent trails!
       Most missed of the year: Engelsman Michael Miles, who earlier has taken part in 7 full SOT with his green
       Range Rover.
       Least missed of the year: The mosquitos, who died from dryness and cold nights.
       Media of the year 1: Denmark Radio's reporter Rikke Hedeaeger Matthiesen who made a
       documentary on SOT 2006, which will be sent in P1 radio channel.
       Media of the year 2: Dagens Nyheter's (Sweden's largest daily) motor reporter Kalle Holmberg
       offroad drove the new Suzuki Jimny and Fiat Panda during SOT Strängnäs 15.7.
       Sign of the year: The enormous blue-yellow Sweden Offroad Tour sign at the entrance to
       Gällivare
       50's of the year: Newly opened 1950's café Back To The 50's at old E4 (Sweden's Route 66!)
       at Skånes-Fagerhult between Örkelljunga and Markaryd.
       Winners of the year: The three German 4x4 cars that won one cup each at Onsdagsbus
       (Wednesday Crazy) at Midlanda Motorpark, the evening before SOT Härnösand 20.7.
       Jeep of the year: SOT Falkenberg 8.7. New seven seater Jeep Commander took part for the
       first time in SOT.
       Break down of the year 1: SOT Gällivare 22.7. The frontal diff on the Norwegians Mitsubishi
       would not work still after ten hours of welding.
       Break down of the year 2: SOT Härnösand 20.7. The Dutch who during overtaking on a
       gravel road went down the ditch and hit a big stone. He hammerd the front wheels round again!
       Break down of the year 3: The tour leader-Jeep's double puncture on both rear tyres during
       road work between Umeå and Bjurholm...
       Stuck of the year: SOT Kumla 14.7. A Chevrolet Suburban in the big mudhole got to be
       winched by two cars...
       Service of the year 1: SOT Falkenberg 8.7. Göran Kastell and his Land Rover repair gave
       free service to British Ventures Search & Rescue when welding their tow hook!
       Service of the year 2: SOT Vetlanda 12.7. Six persons served lunch in Ökna, one per dish
       including one cashier!
       Sunshine of the year: Whole damn Sweden Offroad Tour 8-23.7 2006! Sun from a clear blue
       sky during all the 16 offroad days. But modest temperatures at 20-25 degrees Celsius, perfect for
       car driving.
       Rain of the year: What rain?! Not a single drop fell during all the 16 offroad days. Too few drops
       fell the nights before SOT Vetlanda 12.7 and SOT Kiruna 23.7.
       Wettest of the year: SOT Kumla 14.7. The water holes were all full
       Muddiest of the year: SOT Karlshamn 10.7. Swamps that never dries.
       Driest of the year: SOT Härnösand 20.7. Awfully dusty but we could drive on the swamps
       ("myr" in Swedish).
       High point of the year: SOT Söderhamn 19.7. The top of Norrlandsporten's ski slopes offers
       magnificent views over the beginning Lapland.
       Mud hole of the year: The worst hole at SOT Söderköping 13.7 which only the land owners
       Volvo 6x6 went througt by full gas!
       Hottest of the year: SOT Kristianstad 9.7. In the bottom of Vånga gravel pit is was 28 degrees
       Celsius.
       Coldest of the year: SOT Kiruna 23.7. 8 degrees Celsius. The top of Luossavaara mountain
       (as usual...) by midnight to se the midnight sun.
       Lunch of the year 1: SOT Vetlanda 12.7. In Ökna the neighbour family Green served typically
       Swedish meat balls, cooked potatoes, brown sauce, lingonberries, drink, coffee and cookie for
       just 50 SEK. Astonishing atmosphere and service!
       Lunch of the year 2: SOT Härnösand 20.7. "Laplandish kebab" at Midlanda Motorpark.
       Dinner of the year 1: SOT Kiruna 23.7. Reindeer stew and mashed potatoes, lingonberries,
       "thinbread" and lingonberry juice at the farewell dinner at the restaurant at Ripan Camping. It won't
       get any more Laplandish than this!
       Dinner of the year 2: Grill buffee at restaurant Mälarstrand Krog & Café at lake Mälaren in Västerås.
       Delicous and fantastic environment!
       Coffee break of the year: SOT Gällivare 22.7. Fresh waffles with cloudberry jam and whipped
       cream at the Midnight Café on top of "kalfjäll" (treeless mountain) Dundret.
       Midnight sun of the year: SOT Kiruna 23.7, partly clouded as usual...
       Swim of the year: SOT Kristianstad 9.7. After 28 degrees Celsius at the bottom of Vånga
       gravel pit a cool swim in Ivösjön was refreshing.
       Reindeer of the year: SOT Kalix 21.7. The tame "tourist reindeer" at Marieberg Wildlife Farm who
       likes offroad!
       Dragrace of the year: Between the two military Volvo 6x6 during Onsdagsbus (Wednesday
       Crazy) at Midlanda Motorpark!
       Museum of the year 1: The Petrol Museum in Älvsbyn (petrol station nostalgia!).
       Museum of the year 2: The Caravan Museum in Dorotea (free entrance!).
       Scene of the year: The wooden scene at Östra Berget (East Mountain) in Söderhamn where
       The Who played loud 4.6 1966 to an astonished audience.
       Quote of the year: SOT Falkenberg 8.7. "Sweden Offroad Tour is the highlight of the year.
       You can drive as much offroad as you want!". By Norwegian who has taken part several times.
       Miss of the year: To have a 500 kilometres transport to Kalix the same day as SOT Härnösand
       20.7. I won't be repeated...
       Moment of the year 1: SOT Vetlanda 12.7. The lunch with homecooked meatballs in the
       shadow of the old leaf tree surrounded by old red wooden houses will be a memory for ever.
       Moment of the year 2: SOT Kiruna 23.7. In the end of the farewell dinner when the talking
       and address-exchanging really started. The participants didn't want SOT to end!
       Next SOT: 12th Sweden Offroad Tour 7-22 .7 2007, with new exciting offroad sites in for example Sveg and
       Hammarstrand in Lapland.
       Partners 2006: Jeep, Dunlop, Warn, Rindab, Auto Motor & Sport, Traktor Power, Motor-Life, LNTV, SBF, KAK och Försvaret.