GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL SEEKS A NEW COMPETITION AREA FOR THE FUTURE
GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL SEEKS A NEW COMPETITION AREA FOR THE FUTURE
The world’s largest enduro competition, the Gotland Grand National (GGN), is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the Tofta shooting range this year with the largest competition ever.
However, the global situation and the Swedish Armed Forces’ expanding activities mean that the organizer must find new competition venues for future GGN events.
The enduro competition, the Gotland Grand National (GGN), was founded in 1984 by FMCK and GMF Bysarna with the help of, among others, officers from the Gotland regiments. Over time, the competition has grown into a major event in motorsports and is also one of the biggest reasons to visit Gotland outside the summer season.
The Swedish Fortifications Agency leases the area on an annual basis, but only after the Swedish Armed Forces have approved the dates. The uncertain global situation has led to a rapid increase in military activity at Gotland’s only site suitable for this type of activity, so the Swedish Armed Forces are now putting the brakes on it.
“For a while, things looked bleak even for this year’s competition, but through a constructive dialogue with P 18, we found a solution that works for both parties. However, we must immediately begin the search for a new competition venue,” says Conny Bohlin, CEO of the organizer Nordic Sport Event.
Last week, Nordic Sport Event held a meeting with members of Region Gotland’s top management as well as representatives of the county council to emphasize the need for an urgent process.
– GGN has overcome complex challenges in the past, but this poses a threat to the future of the competition. We appeal to the entire Gotland community—authorities, associations, and businesses—to help us save GGN on Gotland. We remain hopeful, but this is a matter of great urgency! Conny Bohlin notes that finding a new site and having enough time to build new infrastructure within 13 months is a major challenge, and we will need all the support we can get from authorities and businesses.
The armed forces apologize for the situation but are clear in their announcement that GGN must leave Tofta.
“The Tofta shooting range is essential for the Armed Forces to carry out their mission of ensuring peace and security in Sweden in an increasingly uncertain environment. We are significantly increasing military training on Gotland. At the same time, we have soldiers on duty, visiting units from the mainland, and likely an increasing number of visiting NATO units,” says Tomas Ängshammar, head of communications at the Gotland Regiment.
– GGN is close to our hearts here at P 18, and we hope the organizer can quickly find a new location. We know what GGN means to Gotland, but the Swedish Armed Forces’ mission is to build defense capabilities.
For further information and questions, please contact:
Connie Bohlin
President/CEO, Nordic Sport & Events
0708 – 249494
Tomas Ängshammar
Gotland Defense Forces
076 – 1171954
FACTS ABOUT THE GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Over 3,000 from 15 countries (participants aged 5–75).
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2023: 3,197, compared to 3,049 at the same time last year. 209 girls, compared to 182.
GUEST NIGHTS: 28,000 (number of nights GGN generates during the week).
BUSINESS REVENUE: 100,000,000 SEK/year (travel, lodging, dining, and shopping).
COMPENSATION FOR THE ASSOCIATION: 800,000 SEK per year (the amount the association receives, thanks to GGN).
SVT SPORT VIEWERS: 800,000 (over 5 hours of live TV).
