Velodromloppet
After a quick walk around the paddock and a glimpse of the track, I had a serious question I had to ask myself: Why have I never been here before? Velodromloppet has everything I love: classic cars? Check. Roaring engines? Check. A lively paddock? Check.
The event takes place at Gelleråsen Arena in Karlskoga and claims to be the biggest racing event for classic cars in Sweden. Velodromloppet has a long tradition—the first edition was held in 1959 and was organized annually until 1970. In 1993, the event was brought back to life in a new form—now exclusively for classic cars. In this format, it has been held every year since and enjoys great popularity within the classic racing community. Over 250 participants were negotiating the curves during this year’s edition.
It was hard for me to avoid comparisons with the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix, which I’ve been attending regularly in recent years. It’s quite easy to find many similarities, but there are also some key differences. The skyline of Copenhagen is replaced here by peaceful Swedish meadows—but there’s something to make up for that: more racing classes, more cars in each heat, and, perhaps most importantly, more single-seaters!
One of the weekend’s standout races was the Formula Slicks heat — featuring a range of F3 machines and even newer models up to the year 2000.
Down in the compact category, the 1000cc Cup brings together pre-1965 small-standard cars — think Austin Coopers and SAAB 96s. Born in 2000 to revive interest in tiny classics, this unexpectedly popular class now boasts its own dedicated races.
Equally charming was the Pre-war & Vintage Formula class — true time machines from the 1920s and 1930s. Unfortunately, while exploring the lively paddock I missed the races of this class. Watching near-century-old racers, including Formula Junior and “Midget” types, must have been very exciting. But lessons learned, next year I’ll better prepare my agenda and make sure not to miss this race.
Finally, the Standard & GT classes spanning 1966–1971 (both under and over 1.3 l) delivered a diverse and fun mix—from sleek Volvo P1800s and Alfa GTAs to Mini Coopers — plus a special Trans‑AM category. Every corner brought a different slice of automotive culture.
During the lunch break, a parade of classic cars made its way around the circuit. Those who regularly visit my page won’t be surprised that I was most excited to see four replicas of Italian rally royalty in motion. The group included the Lancia Stratos, 037, Delta Integrale, and Fiat 131. I would have loved to see them at full speed and going sideways, but even cruising at a relaxed pace, they were a joy to watch.
The most common type of car in the parade was, unsurprisingly, Hot Rods. I photographed this part of the event using a 1990s Mavica camera, which stores photos on floppy disks. I’ll share more about that experience later—probably during the darker months, when there are no events to cover.
Throughout the day, the on-track action was complemented by an enthusiast car display, brought together by members of the local community. The front row was dedicated to Minis, followed by sections for BMW 2002s, Mustangs, and many others. There was plenty to see in this quieter corner of the venue.
The track is in the spotlight during such events, but in most cases, I end up spending more time in the paddock. Watching the mechanics and drivers work on their machines is always a pleasure. It’s here where the true character of the event is built—at least for me. Vintage single-seaters are especially interesting to observe during servicing. Once their fiberglass bodies are removed, nothing is hidden from the eyes of a keen observer. Every detail of the suspension, engine, and drivetrain is on full display to admire.
If anyone thought that all the racing and paddock action wasn’t enough, the organizers had a few more surprises in store. The event also featured a flying display performed by Alf Ingesson-Thoor in a Saab Safir. A low pass over the track was a spectacular way to ramp up the show. During Velodromloppet, I also experienced my first live tractor pulling competition. It definitely didn’t overshadow the main part of the event, but I enjoyed seeing something completely new to me.
My trip to Gelleråsen Arena was long—but worth the effort. Velodromloppet doesn’t disappoint. With classic cars roaring flat-out around the track and a paddock buzzing with life, this event had everything it takes to leave a lasting impression. It’s definitely earned a spot in my memory—and a firm place in my calendar for next year.
