Actually I’m not really interested in cars, high speed and racing. But during my research for the Lapland article I found a couple of interesting web pages I do not want to keep back:

The municipality of Arjeplog (with a population density of 0 inhabitants per km²!) is one of the biggest centres of car testing on snow and ice tracks in the world. Several companies offer their individually prepared tracks and additional services to the big brands in the automotive industry. Apparently you can make a real fortune with that stuff: Some companies launched pretty extensive and well-designed web pages.

“It all started as a coincidence.” I really like that little story about the beginnings of car testing in 1973. The SWTR web page provides a slightly different version.

The huge test circles, handling courses and polished ice tracks remind me of these mysterious crop circles which occasionally attract people’s attention. Watch out the gallery at icemakers.se!

Resources:

• Arjeplog Test Center
• IceMakers
• Cartest
• Colmis AB
• Swedish Winter Test Region