GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL SEEKS NEW COMPETITION AREA FOR THE FUTURE
The world’s largest enduro competition, Gotland Grand National (GGN), celebrates its 40th anniversary at Tofta shooting range this year with the largest competition ever.
But the world situation and the Swedish Armed Forces’ growing activities mean the organizer must find new competition areas for the future GGN.
The enduro competition, Gotland Grand National (GGN), was started 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 giant in motorsport and is also one of the biggest reasons for visiting Gotland outside the summer season.
The Swedish Fortifications Agency leases out the area yearly, but only after the Swedish Armed Forces approved the dates. The uncertain world situation meant a rapidly growing military activity on Gotland’s only place for their type of activity, so the Swedish Armed Forces are now pulling the brakes.
– For a while, it looked dark 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 area, says Conny Bohlin, CEO of the organizer Nordic Sport Event.
Last week, Nordic Sport Event had a meeting with parts of the top management for Region Gotland as well as representatives of the county board to highlight the need for an urgent process.
– GGN has survived complex challenges in the past, but this is a threat to the future of the competition. We appeal to the whole of Gotland – authorities, associations, and businesses – to help us save GGN on Gotland. We have high hopes, but it is very urgent! Conny Bohlin says that finding a new area and having time to build a new infrastructure in 13 months is a big challenge where we will need all the help we can get from authorities and businesses.
The armed forces apologize for the situation but are clear about the announcement that GGN must leave Tofta.
– Tofta shooting range is essential for the Armed Forces to carry out its mission to ensure peace and security in Sweden in an increasingly uncertain environment. We are significantly increasing military service training on Gotland. At the same time, we have employed soldiers, visiting mainland units, and probably an increasing number of visiting NATO units, says Tomas Ängshammar, head of communications at the Gotland regiment.
– GGN is close to our hearts at P 18, and we hope the organizer can quickly find a new area. We know what GGN means to Gotland, but the Swedish Armed Forces’ mission is to build defense capabilities.
For further information and questions, contact:
Connie Bohlin
VD/CEO Nordic Sport & Events
0708 – 249494
Tomas Ängshammar
Defense Forces Gotland
076 – 1171954
FACTS GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Over 3000 from 15 nations (participants from 5 – 75 years old).
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS PER 20230908: 3197 compared to 3049 at the same time last year. 209 girls compared with 182.
GUEST NIGHTS: 28,000 (number of nights GGN generates during the week).
BUSINESS REVENUE: SEK 100,000,000/year (travel, accommodation, eating and shopping).
COMPENSATION FOR THE ASSOCIATION: SEK 800,000/year (the amount the association gets, thanks to GGN).
VIEWERS SVT SPORT: 800,000 (over 5 hours of live TV).
GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL SEEKS NEW COMPETITION AREA FOR THE FUTURE
New class! Adventure
The ADVENTURE class is for the larger MC vehicles over 600 cc. Friday’s second exercise starts at 13.00, with the Women’s classes, Military, 60+, and the same driving time.
Registration is open until Tuesday, 24/10.
If you are registered in another class but want to change, it’s fine! Email us the booking number, and we will help you. info@nordicsportevent.se
Read the additional rules here.
EDDI HÜBNER (KTM) SIX (6) TIME GERMAN CHAMPION AND MATHIAS JØRGENSEN (YAMAHA) FOUR (4) TIME DANISH CHAMPION READY FOR THIS YEAR’S GGN.
– It is with great joy and pride that we can now also present both the German and Danish champion on the men’s side to this year’s GGN, says Conny Bohlin, CEO of Nordic Sport & Event, which organizes GGN for the 10th year. The starting field before the GGN has probably never been more exciting, and that sets the stage for the crowd party at Tofta Skjutfält to be a great success, Conny Bohlin continues.- The agent Gjermund Frostad, who helps Nordic Sport & Event with international participants and international press, announces through Eddi and Mathias that they are looking forward to coming to the world’s biggest enduro competition, Gotland Grand National, in October. Both have the goal of getting into the top 10, says Gjermund further.
– If you as an audience cannot experience this drama on site, SVT Sports broadcasts live over 5 hours from Gotland and GGN, says Conny Bohlin. Conny concludes that GGN 40 years will be precisely the race we want.
https://enduro21.com/en/racing/latest/graham-jarvis-and-jane-daniels-set-for-gotland-grand-national-debuts
GRAHAM JARVIS, 5-TIME ERZBERG RODEO WINNER, 7-TIME ROMANIAC IS READY FOR GGN!
LARISSA PAPENMEIR GERMANY RETURNS TO GGN TO WIN!
WORLD CHAMPION JANE DANIELS UK READY FOR GGN!
STEVE HOLCOMBE, UK SEVEN (7) TIME WORLD CHAMPION, READY FOR GGN!
https://gotlandgrandnational.se/en/ifidare/
GGN turns 40 & Nordic Sport & Event 10 years in 2023!