Petter Solberg WRT

[nr7wave]

Petter had a visitor in his garage today: http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/2011/02/04/5692/#comments

[6789]

New sponsor to Petter?

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=cs&sl=cs&tl=en&u=http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php%3Fid%3D15994

Whats this about? I cannot open the link, get an error

[pettersolberg29]

Michelin Norway are the new sponsors.

[N.O.T]

100 pages in this thread!

and 4th in number of views in the whole rallying section...

[6789]

The Solberg truck

http://twitpic.com/3x2z9g

[Donney]

Looks good!!!!

[6789]

Can't wait to see his car, should look awesome!

[alleskids]

I cant load the twitter page :( . what colour does the truck have?

[Roy]

I cant load the twitter page :( . what colour does the truck have?

In Dutch: het is zwart met een zilvere golf van links naar rechts over de truck/trailer.

[manta400]

any pictures of the car?

[MJW]

I cant load the twitter page :( . what colour does the truck have?

Black with a chrome ribbon type stripe. see Petter's home page http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/official-news/

[Sulland]

Looks like Petter is moving back towards the livery he had in 09, more stylish than the 2010 one, that I thought was too crowded and messy.

[Sulland]

I was wrong, at least for Sweden, here is a sneakpeak:
http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/wp-content/uploads/CIMG0348c.jpg

[bretddog]

http://i54.tinypic.com/10x6d0k.jpg

[nr7wave]

More testing for Petter?
He said something in an intervjue last week about him working on geting another testing day before sweden. In the same intervjue he talked about som problems with understeer in long corners and that he would like some more time to figure this out. Only one day of testing is'nt much before a specialist event like Sweden...

[Viking]

Not to bad..

http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/wp-content/uploads/CIMG0368c.jpg

http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/2011/02/08/rally-sweden-10-13-februar/#more-5712

[pettersolberg29]

It's a bit weird - I like the chrome part of it but disappointed its not got more black parts. Also, a lack of sponsors at the moment - hopefully a podium in Sweden will attract a couple more.

[JRodrigues]

I like this "This is my life" part :s mokin: :s mokin:

[N.O.T]

looks inspired by the Mclaren F1 car...

[ZequeArgentina]

Petter´s truck is much nicer than the DS3!
Anyway, it is better if they look good, but the only important thing is how good the times happen to be at the SS.

[jonas_mcrae]

The livery looks unfinished and lacking sponsors, hope he gets some for mexico, he is confirmed in the DS3 WRC in the entry list by the way

[OldF]

More testing for Petter?
He said something in an intervjue last week about him working on geting another testing day before sweden. In the same intervjue he talked about som problems with understeer in long corners and that he would like some more time to figure this out. Only one day of testing is'nt much before a specialist event like Sweden...

I’ve got the impression that understeer is a feature of the S2000 and WRC cars without a central differential. Also Loeb mentioned the understeer of the DS3 in the beginning of the development (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB5YFONFJEY&feature=player_embedded, at 4:30).

Of course it’s also about setups but I would remember seeing a test video where the car wasn’t thrown into the corner and then the car understeered.

Does anyone else have the same impression?

[Sulland]

The livery looks unfinished and lacking sponsors, hope he gets some for mexico, he is confirmed in the DS3 WRC in the entry list by the way
Could it be that the plan is to team up with Kimi from Mexico, was it not rumours on that?

[mm1]

It`s like in the old gpA days, car doesn`t turn if it isn`t thrown in the corner. I think it`s more a problem of drivers, because the cars don`t have any active center diff / any center diff at all. It just asks for a different driving style, one that fans were missing the last decade :) . I mean not many of current drivers have had experience of preWRC cars. Even gpN Evos & STI ask for a smooth driving style.

[Mirek]

Everyone driving S2000 is used to that ;)

[Brother John]

It`s like in the old gpA days, car doesn`t turn if it isn`t thrown in the corner. I think it`s more a problem of drivers, because the cars don`t have any active center diff / any center diff at all. It just asks for a different driving style, one that fans were missing the last decade :) .

I agree with mm1. ;)
Yes to what you say here, this is now exactly what rally concerns. It was for that driving style we went to the rallies! The last years we saw the WRCcars to drive as a train. If you want to see that go to F1!!! :p :

[Donney]

Luckily they'll adapt to the new technique and we'll be able to see who raises to the top.

[Camelopard]

I agree with mm1. ;)
Yes to what you say here, this is now exactly what rally concerns. It was for that driving style we went to the rallies! The last years we saw the WRCcars to drive as a train. If you want to see that go to F1!!! :p :

+ 1 !

[Co-driven]

I just saw this photo:
http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/wp-content/uploads/20110211-113003-1.jpg

Look on the hood: EuroLotto. Another sponsor?

[pettersolberg29]

Indeed. Eurolotto are a new sponsor, however there are fears that Eurolotto doesn't comply to Norwegian regulations and therefore they may be closed down.

[Alpha]

Indeed. Eurolotto are a new sponsor, however there are fears that Eurolotto doesn't comply to Norwegian regulations and therefore they may be closed down.

Don't think so. I don't think "Petter Solberg WRT" is registered in Norway. Also the car isn't run in Norway (apart from a few kms in this Rally). When Petter drove with Subaru the "555"-logo on the side of the car appeared and disappeared depending on the regulations of the country they were currently in. Tobacco is more high profile than online gambling so I don't think Eurolotto will be a problem.

[Viking]

Petter Solberg World Rally Team is a manufacturer team for the rest of the season.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wrc/2011/Pages/wrc-2011-ent-upd.aspx

http://www.wrc.com/news/more-teams-register-for-manufacturer-points/?fid=14186

[bluuford]

Petter Solberg World Rally Team is a manufacturer team for the rest of the season.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wrc/2011/Pages/wrc-2011-ent-upd.aspx

http://www.wrc.com/news/more-teams-register-for-manufacturer-points/?fid=14186

WRC.com is wrong. They say that Oliveira cannot score points in Portugal.
He can:

A WRC Team:
7.3.1 Undertakes to take part in a minimum of 7 nominated rallies including two outside Europe with
one or two cars of the same make. These cars may be of any eligible class (see Article 4).
Article 4.
CARS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER WRC EVENTS
- World Rally Cars complying with 2011 Appendix J.
- Group A cars including S2000 cars conforming to 2011 Appendix J Art. 254A and Art.255A.
- Group A Kit Cars with a corrected cylinder capacity of less than 1600cc.
- Group RGT cars conforming to 2011 Appendix J Art. 256
- Group R cars.
- Group N cars. These cars may use FIA regionally homologated components (RVO) as in Article 4.4.3.
- Regional cars
- National cars
This WRCar restriction is only for those who take part all events with 2 cars (manufacturers).

[Lalo]

The silver side of the DS3 on Petters car reminds me a lot to Markko Martin's helmet. Nostalgy... :(

[Micke_VOC]

Indeed. Eurolotto are a new sponsor, however there are fears that Eurolotto doesn't comply to Norwegian regulations and therefore they may be closed down.

New sponsor for Petter is official today.
Eurolotto will be one of the main partners in 2011.

[Fide]

Petter testing on gravel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zoO8yCEtnU

[Viking]

Petter/Brynildsen venture

Norwegian
http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/ostfold/1.7582597

Googlish... Dijk?? where did that came from?? :)
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=no&ie=UTF-8&sl=no&tl=en&u=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/ostfold/1.7582597&prev=_t

[Sulland]

Petter testing on gravel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zoO8yCEtnU

The DS 3 looks very low in the back, almost like an old RWD car. Quite different from the Fiesta.

[Rallyper]

It rather looks high in front than low in rear, so I think that´s an illusion because of the long way travelling suspension needs way for the wheel in front.

[traxx]

Petter Solberg was nice yesterday for an interview just after the test session for Argentina :

http://www.worldrallyisfree.com/2011/05/21/interview-petter-solberg/

[HaCo]

Solberg verliert wichtigen Sponsor*::*rallye-magazin.de (http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/d/n/d/2011/07/16/solberg-verliert-wichtigen-sponsor/index.html)

This article says Petter has lost a major sponsor "Hurtigruta-Carglass" and has to find a replacement or Finland will be his last.

[HaCo]

Solberg verliert wichtigen Sponsor*::*rallye-magazin.de (http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/d/n/d/2011/07/16/solberg-verliert-wichtigen-sponsor/index.html)

This article says Petter has lost a major sponsor "Hurtigruta-Carglass" and has to find a replacement or Finland will be his last.

[6789]

Noooo! :(

[Miika]

Somewhere it was quoted that he would miss only the last round of the season because of the missing sponsor, so was that news translated wrong or will he really miss all the rounds after Finland then?

[traxx]

Miika, perhaps you could do the good translation because the news is from Finland, just here :
Sponsorin menetys närästää Solbergia - MTV3.fi - Urheilu - Ralli - Uutiset (http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/2011/07/1360882/sponsorin-menetys-narastaa-solbergia)

[OldF]

Miika, perhaps you could do the good translation because the news is from Finland, just here :
Sponsorin menetys närästää Solbergia - MTV3.fi - Urheilu - Ralli - Uutiset (http://www.mtv3.fi/urheilu/ralli/uutiset.shtml/2011/07/1360882/sponsorin-menetys-narastaa-solbergia)

Maybe this helps a bit. From News & rumours thread.


Petter lost on of his sponsor, which will jeopardise the last rally of the season.

Google translated (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fi&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fi&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv3.fi%2Furheilu%2Fralli%2Fuut iset.shtml%2F2011%2F07%2F1360882%2Fsponsorin-menetys-narastaa-solbergia)


If I understood right, he also said that in 2012 he will not run his team... right?


Correct.

“I wont continue as privateer next year. It’s so damn hard.”

[Miika]

Aaa so the MTV3 one is the original one. It says something like this:

"Losing a sponsor irritates Solberg


Petter Solberg is losing one of his biggest long-term sponsors in the middle of the season.

Hurtigruta Carglass is quitting the sponsoring because of problems within the company.

- I have had their sticker on my windscreen since I was 18. Now they are leaving in the middle of the season, and they won´t be with us at the next rally. If I dont find a new sponsor, I will miss the last round of the season.

Running a private rally team is not cheap. The budget of Petter Solberg World Rally Team is close to 7 million euros a year.

- I won´t continue as a privateer next year. This (rallying as a privateer) is damn hard. It would be a different thing just to drive for fun, than to pursuit for a seat in a factory team.

This is Solberg´s third year as a privateer. This year there were some slight changes in the organisation when Citroen offered their helping hand.

-The team is still mine but Citroen´s people are responsible for it. I still have full control of things but now I just want to drive and test so that we can see if we can make the car quicker."

[traxx]

Thanks Miika, I think it's from a MTV3 video but I can't see it outside of Finland

[tfp]

aaa so the mtv3 one is the original one. It says something like this:

"losing a sponsor irritates solberg


petter solberg is losing one of his biggest long-term sponsors in the middle of the season.

Hurtigruta carglass is quitting the sponsoring because of problems within the company.

- i have had their sticker on my windscreen since i was 18. Now they are leaving in the middle of the season, and they won´t be with us at the next rally. If i dont find a new sponsor, i will miss the last round of the season.

Running a private rally team is not cheap. The budget of petter solberg world rally team is close to 7 million euros a year.

- i won´t continue as a privateer next year. This (rallying as a privateer) is damn hard. It would be a different thing just to drive for fun, than to pursuit for a seat in a factory team.

This is solberg´s third year as a privateer. This year there were some slight changes in the organisation when citroen offered their helping hand.

-the team is still mine but citroen´s people are responsible for it. I still have full control of things but now i just want to drive and test so that we can see if we can make the car quicker."

are you listening, vw?

[Arwel Davies]

Aaa so the MTV3 one is the original one. It says something like this:

"Losing a sponsor irritates Solberg


Petter Solberg is losing one of his biggest long-term sponsors in the middle of the season.

Hurtigruta Carglass is quitting the sponsoring because of problems within the company.

- I have had their sticker on my windscreen since I was 18. Now they are leaving in the middle of the season, and they won´t be with us at the next rally. If I dont find a new sponsor, I will miss the last round of the season.

Running a private rally team is not cheap. The budget of Petter Solberg World Rally Team is close to 7 million euros a year.

- I won´t continue as a privateer next year. This (rallying as a privateer) is damn hard. It would be a different thing just to drive for fun, than to pursuit for a seat in a factory team.

This is Solberg´s third year as a privateer. This year there were some slight changes in the organisation when Citroen offered their helping hand.

-The team is still mine but Citroen´s people are responsible for it. I still have full control of things but now I just want to drive and test so that we can see if we can make the car quicker."

I think thats a massive " come and get me " towards VW. :D

[tfp]

I think thats a massive " come and get me " towards VW. :D
Hell yeah, VW would be absolutely stark-raving mad to miss out on him. :cool:

[Plan9]

I hope he does get signed but with all these younger drivers I don't know how VW will choose 3 of them. They all seem quite execptional for their age. Further Petter does seems to be heading a bit the way of Jacques Villeneuve (ie not used to his full potential when lesser men are promoted ahead of him).

[Viking]

Rees: Petter will fight on in WRC

World Rally Championship - News - Rees: Petter will fight on in WRC (http://www.wrc.com/news/rees-petter-will-fight-on-in-wrc/?fid=15016)

[Viking]

Rees: Petter will fight on in WRC

World Rally Championship - News - Rees: Petter will fight on in WRC (http://www.wrc.com/news/rees-petter-will-fight-on-in-wrc/?fid=15016)

[I am evil Homer]

Hell yeah, VW would be absolutely stark-raving mad to miss out on him. :cool:

Only if they couldn't get Loeb. But that really depends on whether they want an 'older' guy to develop the car or will simpy use the Fabia to get all the data they need and hand it over to some younger people.

[rallyfiend]

Aaa so the MTV3 one is the original one. It says something like this:



Running a private rally team is not cheap. The budget of Petter Solberg World Rally Team is close to 7 million euros a year.



-The team is still mine but Citroen´s people are responsible for it. I still have full control of things but now I just want to drive and test so that we can see if we can make the car quicker."

7 million!? That must be a translation error.
Or is he still paying himself what he got from Subaru?

[Rallyper]

7 million!? That must be a translation error.
Or is he still paying himself what he got from Subaru?

7 million euros is cheap for managing a WRC-team. Compare to other motorsports on world level and you´ll see.

[Barreis]

That's for public with sallary for himself.

[Francis44]

That's for public with sallary for himself.

What?!

[6789]

Last year Ken Rees said the budget was 5 million Euros..

[logic]

Last year Ken Rees said the budget was 5 million Euros..

That was last year when they owned the C4 , now they rent the DS3 , obviously cost has to go up.

[Zeakiwi]

Is there any video of Petter testing for NORF available ?

[Zeakiwi]

Petter testing for Norf

http://www.youtube.com/user/PetterSolbergRally?blend=8&ob=5#p/u/0/oNvDcFGMrRI

Looks as though the team want Petter to sweep the road on Day2.

[Robisztar]

It is from 2010...

[6789]

Has Petter even had a test for Finland? No videos of him testin doesn't look promising

[Francis44]

What's the point really? I think it's pretty clear that Citroen wont let Solberg win anything this year.

[tfp]

What's the point really? I think it's pretty clear that Citroen wont let Solberg win anything this year.

:up: Which is a shame because he says he will not continue as a privateer next year. Citroen obviously want even less competition, making their prize money from the manufacturers championship even more easily obtained.

Once again...

ARE YOU LISTENING, VW?

[Viking]

Petter had a 2day 300km test, not to bad.. same test as "the Iceman" methinks..

[6789]

Petter had a 2day 300km test, not to bad.. same test as "the Iceman" methinks..
Ok cool, i was just going off the videos lol. Hope he goes well

[N.O.T]

What's the point really? I think it's pretty clear that Citroen wont let Solberg win anything this year.

what makes you think he can win anything ??

[Fide]

what makes you think he can win anything ??

Always the same lousy comments.....

[N.O.T]

they are ture though aren't they ? when things become tight solberg shows he cannot follow the wolf pack...he is good for creating pressure for sure, and he cannot be underestimated, but i think he lacks the little extra to win an event in a straight battle.

[Zeakiwi]

they are ture though aren't they ? when things become tight solberg shows he cannot follow the wolf pack...he is good for creating pressure for sure, and he cannot be underestimated, but i think he lacks the little extra to win an event in a straight battle.

or Petter's engine map lacks the little extra to win in a straight fight ? I wonder how PS would go with a Norwegian codriver / language pace notes.

[Fide]

Ok, N.O.T. You have a point, BUT I trend to be more in agreement with Zeakiwi since I don't think he is not able to follow "the wolf pack" since he lost his skills or simply the rest is faster than him. Would be magnific to see the two Sebastian's and him under same structure and support to finally understand what the truth is.... Unfortunately this will never happen.

[Tom206wrc]

:up: Which is a shame because he says he will not continue as a privateer next year. Citroen obviously want even less competition, making their prize money from the manufacturers championship even more easily obtained.

Once again...

ARE YOU LISTENING, VW?


Do you really think Volkswagen would have another behaviour than Citroën regarding drivers management and motorsport results of the company ??? :rolleyes:

[N.O.T]

or Petter's engine map lacks the little extra to win in a straight fight ? I wonder how PS would go with a Norwegian codriver / language pace notes.

If he was good enough he would be chosen in an official team ...he is not, so he has to suffer all the things privateers do.

[logic]

If he was good enough he would be chosen in an official team ...he is not, so he has to suffer all the things privateers do.

So what would you say if he got chosen for a works team next year.

[tfp]

Do you really think Volkswagen would have another behaviour than Citroën regarding drivers management and motorsport results of the company ??? :rolleyes:

No.

[alleskids]

Do you really think Volkswagen would have another behaviour than Citroën regarding drivers management and motorsport results of the company ??? :rolleyes:

but having more manufacturer offering privateer cars, bringing their millions of euro's to other work teams will hopefully force the teams to stop manipulating the client cars

[N.O.T]

So what would you say if he got chosen for a works team next year.

depends on his team mate...

[Tomi]

So what would you say if he got chosen for a works team next year.

I dont understand you guys, if he would have something to give to the teams, dont you think he would have been choosen long time ago. Its hard to belive that VW would sign him, there is so many faster younger drivers avilable.

[tfp]

but having more manufacturer offering privateer cars, bringing their millions of euro's to other work teams will hopefully force the teams to stop manipulating the client cars

:up: I'm sure Mr Warmbold would agree with this aswel :)

[tfp]

I dont understand you guys, if he would have something to give to the teams, dont you think he would have been choosen long time ago. Its hard to belive that VW would sign him, there is so many faster younger drivers avilable.

I think he has something to give the teams. He is obviously the most hard working of all the current WRC drivers, he has proven that he is one of the top 5(current) rally drivers in the world, and, if nothing else, his name is well recognised even to non rally fans. I think it would be criminal for VW(or citroen, if loeb retires at the end of the year) to overlook him.

[MJW]

I think he has something to give the teams. I think it would be criminal for VW(or citroen, if loeb retires at the end of the year) to overlook him. Or Ford

[Tomi]

and, if nothing else, his name is well recognised even to non rally fans.

So is Mike Tyson, but I dont think they sign him either, better wait and see, my guess is that they sign 2 drivers that are on their peak after 3-4 years from now, and maybe 1 for test use who has experience of developing cars.

[Viking]

Its hard to belive that VW would sign him, there is so many faster younger drivers avilable.

Who are those?

[AndyRAC]

I think he has something to give the teams. He is obviously the most hard working of all the current WRC drivers, he has proven that he is one of the top 5(current) rally drivers in the world, and, if nothing else, his name is well recognised even to non rally fans. I think it would be criminal for VW(or citroen, if loeb retires at the end of the year) to overlook him.

Honestly, it's not. The only name recognisable is McRae.....
He's still worthy of a top line drive - maybe replacing Loeb at Citroen, but No2 to Ogier.....

[Tomi]

Who are those?

When VW comes to WRC almost everyone of the upcoming drivers will be, non specific.

[Viking]

When VW comes to WRC almost everyone of the upcoming drivers will be, non specific.

Ok, you ment "will be" and not "is"? I was just wondering, Petter has 25 or something stagewins this year in a privat effort.
If someone was younger and faster than him dont you think those would have been choosen long time ago?.

[Tomi]

Ok, you ment "will be" and not "is"? I was just wondering, Petter has 25 or something stagewins this year in a privat effort.
If someone was younger and faster than him dont you think those would have been choosen long time ago?.

To few seats, the faster ones are choosen already, they are at Ford and Citroen now, for some reason also Prodrive ignored Solberg and choosed guys who might be fure drivers.

[Barreis]

Petter also wants big sallary.

[Viking]

To few seats, the faster ones are choosen already, they are at Ford and Citroen now, for some reason also Prodrive ignored Solberg and choosed guys who might be fure drivers.

Could also be that Petter ignored Prodrive... Last year he was 3rd in the championship, in front of 2 of your "faster ones"...
But I dont care really, you have been doing this anti Solberg thing here the last 10 years.

[Francis44]

I Like Solberg, but I must say there are 1 or even three drivers who might be faster than him in the short term, if given the oppurtunity (Tanak, Hanninen, etc....).

[Griff]

I think that the Acropolis Rally says everthing about what Citroën think about Petter. Faster than evereyone and then told to get back into his place and not threaten the FRENCH team and their FRENCH drivers.
Petter can fight it out with the best as he is one of the best. Look at Rallye Catalunya 2010, jumps straight into a new car and finishes 4th a minute and a half behind the king of tarmac Loeb. Who else on the scene can do that? Ford and Citroën don't like the fact that he can do that. I think that his "lack of speed" in Finland is more lack of motivation and disgust about how he has been treated

[BDunnell]

Look at Rallye Catalunya 2010, jumps straight into a new car and finishes 4th a minute and a half behind the king of tarmac Loeb. Who else on the scene can do that?

Hardly Walter Röhrl winning first time out for Audi on the Monte, though, was it?

That such an achievement is considered worthy of mention says a lot about the level of competition on the WRC these days.

[Tom206wrc]

... I think that his "lack of speed" in Finland is more lack of motivation and disgust about how he has been treated


Wen you are behind a wheel and on stage, you don't think about Past...you drive and you attack as best as you can :rolleyes:

[N.O.T]

I think that the Acropolis Rally says everthing about what Citroën think about Petter. Faster than evereyone and then told to get back into his place and not threaten the FRENCH team and their FRENCH drivers.
Petter can fight it out with the best as he is one of the best. Look at Rallye Catalunya 2010, jumps straight into a new car and finishes 4th a minute and a half behind the king of tarmac Loeb. Who else on the scene can do that? Ford and Citroën don't like the fact that he can do that. I think that his "lack of speed" in Finland is more lack of motivation and disgust about how he has been treated

Are you serious ???

[MJW]

Are you serious ???
N.O.T have you ever been in a service park when 'things' mysteriously happen to rally cars? No manufacturer will allow a customer car to beat or match the works cars.

[N.O.T]

LOL... goodnight.

[tfp]

I think that the Acropolis Rally says everthing about what Citroën think about Petter. Faster than evereyone and then told to get back into his place and not threaten the FRENCH team and their FRENCH drivers.
Petter can fight it out with the best as he is one of the best. Look at Rallye Catalunya 2010, jumps straight into a new car and finishes 4th a minute and a half behind the king of tarmac Loeb. Who else on the scene can do that? Ford and Citroën don't like the fact that he can do that. I think that his "lack of speed" in Finland is more lack of motivation and disgust about how he has been treated

King of tarmac? Nah, that is still Pannizzis title:-)

[pucky54]

King of tarmac? Nah, that is still Pannizzis title:-)

agree :)

[tfp]

agree :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPzcihPq3mk
You've probably already seen it, but if you havent, enjoy!! :)

[mousti]

So is Mike Tyson, but I dont think they sign him either, better wait and see, my guess is that they sign 2 drivers that are on their peak after 3-4 years from now, and maybe 1 for test use who has experience of developing cars.
That's not comparable at all Tyson is not motivated at all, if he would do a match again seriously that guy would be in the main event and the biggest reason to sell that ppv! So no..

Solberg is still fast, and indeed many talents there, but Solberg has not factory car and service so u can't compare him with Hirvonen-Latvala and Loeb-Ogier. So simple it is.

[tfp]

That's not comparable at all Tyson is not motivated at all, if he would do a match again seriously that guy would be in the main event and the biggest reason to sell that ppv! So no..

Solberg is still fast, and indeed many talents there, but Solberg has not factory car and service so u can't compare him with Hirvonen-Latvala and Loeb-Ogier. So simple it is.

:up: +1

LOL at the tyson comments :laugh:

I agree, but I still wouldn't say it to his face :rotflmao:

[Griff]

Are you serious ???
Yes and it's obvious that you're not! N.O.T. :-)

[makinen_fan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPzcihPq3mk
You've probably already seen it, but if you havent, enjoy!! :)

this on-board shows his skills much better! look at how he commits into the corners, awsome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRgRaLeE3bA&feature=related

[Gregor-y]

Of course he's good, with enough practice. :D
Sorry; I'm still a bit of a Delecour fan. And regardless Loeb is king of the tarmac, anyway.

With Ford I can see Solberg's troubles but I wouldn't think PSA would sell someone a WRC car unless they expected to try and win with it. It would be a crushing blow if they're really no different than M-Sport when it comes to privateers.

[Rallyper]

Of course he's good, with enough practice. :D
Sorry; I'm still a bit of a Delecour fan. And regardless Loeb is king of the tarmac, anyway.

With Ford I can see Solberg's troubles but I wouldn't think PSA would sell someone a WRC car unless they expected to try and win with it. It would be a crushing blow if they're really no different than M-Sport when it comes to privateers.

They eliminate Petter by buying him. And Petter knows that but it´s only way he gets a proper (but not top) car in WRC. And his only way to afford driving.
So they make Petter a no-threat for the factory teams.

[Gregor-y]

Still, it is a step above a private Ford, right?

[tfp]

this on-board shows his skills much better! look at how he commits into the corners, awsome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRgRaLeE3bA&feature=related

THAT is why he is the tarmac king:-)

[darkstar]

petter solberg testet today for germany in veldenz. rumours say he fell down the stairs from his servicetruck and was injured on his hand(capsule tear). went to hospital... don´t know if its 100% true, but spectators told it.

[focus206]

Still, it is a step above a private Ford, right?

At this time, I'd say it's a step to the end of his career.

[tfp]

petter solberg testet today for germany in veldenz. rumours say he fell down the stairs from his servicetruck and was injured on his hand(capsule tear). went to hospital... don´t know if its 100% true, but spectators told it.

Bloody hell, I hope its not true!

[Barreis]

Bad news.

[SubaruNorway]

Any more news on Petter's hand?

I read a comment from a fan about just a finger on his site.

[makinen_fan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmkSr6QxTPU&feature=player_embedded#at=32

video o petter testing

[Fide]

Anybody has read or heard something about what will do Petter on 2012 ? Or if he is dealing with any factory team ?

[focus206]

Anybody has read or heard something about what will do Petter on 2012 ? Or if he is dealing with any factory team ?
I read that he said in an interview that (probably) he won't run his team in 2012...

[N.O.T]

Solberg would be a good deal for the VW team....cheap/popular and a nice measure for the younger driver. of course he will not win anything with them but i think it is still a good deal for both.

[Barreis]

No more FX in his team. Maybe that's why bad results are here.

[N.O.T]

ususally bad results derive from the compnent which is located between the steering wheel and the seat and less on the enineers. team managers and other staff especially in 1 driver teams where there is no favouritism.

Solbergs choices are quite limited.

[dimviii]

ususally bad results derive from the compnent which is located between the steering wheel and the seat and less on the enineers. team managers and other staff especially in 1 driver teams where there is no favouritism.
.
its a private team....not a works team...

[tfp]

its a private team....not a works team...

He makes a good point though....Petter really doesn't have a massive choice of cars to drive :(

[bretddog]

The C4 was highly optimized when Petter at last got it, while the DS3 (M1s) obviously is evolving a lot in it's first season. And we see the results now. I doubt Petter has much to put on the table, after losing the Hurtigruta Carglass sponsor this summer, now running with a blank windscreen.

I think also Quesnel has put a firmer hand on Petter this season, to avoid him stealing any points off Ogier's title hunt. After all Petter had 8 podiums, 5 2nd places in 2010, which repeat would have done exactly that.

So it's not much more to expect from this situation.






ususally bad results derive from the compnent which is located between the steering wheel and the seat and less on the enineers. team managers and other staff especially in 1 driver teams where there is no favouritism.
..yawn

[Plan9]

The C4 was highly optimized when Petter at last got it, while the DS3 (M1s) obviously is evolving a lot in it's first season. And we see the results now. I doubt Petter has much to put on the table, after losing the Hurtigruta Carglass sponsor this summer, now running with a blank windscreen.

I think also Quesnel has put a firmer hand on Petter this season, to avoid him stealing any points off Ogier's title hunt. After all Petter had 8 podiums, 5 2nd places in 2010, which repeat would have done exactly that.

So it's not much more to expect from this situation.






..yawn

+1 I agree.

If he doesn't get VW I think we will have seen the last of him. I am also not sure if he did get VW whether he would be happy to muck around in an s2000 for a year. I read that VW drivers will not event get to use the Dakar equipment at all, which would wipe out half the fun of driving for them.

[AndyRAC]

+1 I agree.

If he doesn't get VW I think we will have seen the last of him. I am also not sure if he did get VW whether he would be happy to muck around in an s2000 for a year. I read that VW drivers will not event get to use the Dakar equipment at all, which would wipe out half the fun of driving for them.

VW is a big company - maybe he can get a drive in the DTM, or some Sportscar drives in either a GT2 Porsche 911 or Audi LMP1...

[danon]

Vids of the One-Man Show :arrow: Solberg Extreme Motorshow:

Petter Solberg i jåttåvågen - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aYKxhjmPXy8)

Solberg Extreme Motorshow 2011 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST2qzQm9dMQ&feature=player_embedded)

Solberg Extreme Motorshow - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TaDgL-Gf7dk)

[Zeakiwi]

Is that Henning's rallycross Fiesta ? Did the show have a health warning printed on the ticket ? Were gas masks available for hire ??

[sollitt]

Who does he think he is? Ken Block?

[Plan9]

Who does he think he is? Ken Block?
Thar might help him actually. People would throw money at him then and we would not have to rationalize the "good" aspect of him only getting points. I am quite sick of seeing him mid pack, if he cannot find "IT" in his bank account or negotiating skills I think that he should leave and do something that will not put so much pressure on him as he still has something to offer in motorsport.

[Plan9]

VW is a big company - maybe he can get a drive in the DTM, or some Sportscar drives in either a GT2 Porsche 911 or Audi LMP1...
I don't think Petter is smooth enough for DTM or Le Mans. Driving a GT car would be too humiliating as well, it would almost be better if he did WTCC or guest drove the last round of IRL.

I would like to know what will become of the Dakar trucks as they are pretty amazing vehicles and taking them out of service would be a shame, in my honest opinion.

[Franky]

Who does he think he is? Ken Block?

He's named Petter Solberg as I remember and with far superior driving skills than your named Ken Block.

[N.O.T]

Solberg hasn't shown any signs he can drive on track competitively...so its either rallying or retirement.

His age doesn't help much and the fact he hasn't won a single event since long long time is also against him, the only thing that sells is his flamboyant personality and his fans.

[pettersolberg29]

Solberg hasn't shown any signs he can drive on track competitively...so its either rallying or retirement.

His age doesn't help much and the fact he hasn't won a single event since long long time is also against him, the only thing that sells is his flamboyant personality and his fans.

Not 100% true - he was faster than Yvan Muller in the Oreca Le Mans test day a couple of years back and Muller is hardly a track novice! There's also rallycross like Gronholm has done, or things like Baja or Pikes Peak. He has options.

[tfp]

Solberg hasn't shown any signs he can drive on track competitively...so its either rallying or retirement.

His age doesn't help much and the fact he hasn't won a single event since long long time is also against him, the only thing that sells is his flamboyant personality and his fans.

I dont think age has anything to do with it, if he can prove that hes faster than the competition(on a circuit, if he does go down that route) then theres no reason why he shouldn't get a drive.

[SubaruNorway]

Is that Henning's rallycross Fiesta ? Did the show have a health warning printed on the ticket ? Were gas masks available for hire ??

No he lent Even Hvaal's car, i heard Henning is building his own new body rallycross fiesta. This one was the first they had outside in Stavanger, the usual show in Oslo is inside. They didn't run the drag racing car more than once to say it like that... :)

[SubaruNorway]

Check out Petter Solberg doing some freestyle Gymkhana charity rides after the final round in the Crosskart championship where both Solberg sons, Oliver and Oscar drives :)

Petter Solberg Citroen Xsara WRC Finnskogbanen 2011 (http://motorsportfilmer.net/2011/petter-solberg-citroen-xsara-wrc-finnskogbanen-2011)

Lots of happy kids after a ride with Petter :)

[Viking]

ain't having the easiest of retirements, that Xsara...

[janvanvurpa]

He's named Petter Solberg as I remember and with far superior driving skills than your named Ken Block.

But Blockie has a better Video production crew, and fans who say flat out he is a "rally God" and a "rally SUPERstar.

So if Petter is a better driver then why doesn't he have 6 bazzillion hits on his You-tube vids?

This is the new Millennium, why bother to really drive good if you can just do 20-30 takes of ever corner, every twitch of the wheel, and edit together a 3 minute vid?

[garais22]

Is it possible to see full Solberg Extreme Motorshow results and competitors?

Thanks

[SubaruNorway]

Is it possible to see full Solberg Extreme Motorshow results and competitors?

Thanks

Can't find anything, it's more for show than results you know. I didn't go to the one in Stavanger but they are hoping to do one in Oslo november 26th. Hopefully the big stars won't back out this year and make it as magic as the first year.

[Franky]

But Blockie has a better Video production crew, and fans who say flat out he is a "rally God" and a "rally SUPERstar.

So if Petter is a better driver then why doesn't he have 6 bazzillion hits on his You-tube vids?

This is the new Millennium, why bother to really drive good if you can just do 20-30 takes of ever corner, every twitch of the wheel, and edit together a 3 minute vid?

Sounds like a challenge ;)




Petter Solberg Citroen Xsara WRC Finnskogbanen 2011 (http://motorsportfilmer.net/2011/petter-solberg-citroen-xsara-wrc-finnskogbanen-2011)

Lots of happy kids after a ride with Petter :)

Really positive video!

[sttr]

Movie and interviews from Solberg Extreme Motorshow 2011.

Interviews with both Petter Solberg and Henning Solberg. Petter showing off in his Citröen showcar.

Try Frustøl Motorsport - Solberg Extreme Motorshow 2011, Stavanger - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHS-FvdGuMU)

[Brother John]

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen with rallycars. :confused:


Movie and interviews from Solberg Extreme Motorshow 2011.

Interviews with both Petter Solberg and Henning Solberg. Petter showing off in his Citröen showcar.

Try Frustøl Motorsport - Solberg Extreme Motorshow 2011, Stavanger - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHS-FvdGuMU)

[Griff]

As a Petter fan, I think I have to bring up an old subjet with new flavours. Don't you think what happened to Petter at Rally France was just a bit too obvious?

Here is a Q&A with Petter on the WRC.com
Your early puncture aside this has been another fantastic day for you Petter, based on your pace?
“It’s been really good. The car has been absolutely fantastic. I don’t want to go into details compared to other rallies but it’s magnificent the difference.”
Of course you’ve won on Tarmac before but is this one of your best performances on asphalt?
“To be honest I’ve been fast last year here and many rallies but now, maybe, I’ve got the best support for three years on a rally and it’s every stage, that’s the difference. The car is good everywhere compared to in Germany where I lost a lot on the twisty sections. Now I gain on the twisty sections.”
When you took the lead on the second state this morning did you think at that point you might go on and win this rally?
“I had a good feeling, I felt like I had good control. I decided not to take any risks or push anything because I don’t need to. This car works so well now, and I thought it was possible to control it. Then the puncture happened and I had a problem with the damper. I still did good times so I am looking forward to driving again tomorrow with the car like it is.”

And also from WRC.com (reused by many other sites) a article about the "disqualification"

Benoit Nogier, who oversees the running of Petter Solberg’s Citroen DS3 WRC in the World Rally Championship, has spoken of his disappointment following the Norwegian's exclusion from Rallye de France Alsace.
Nogier, the director of Citroen Racing Technologies, was speaking after Solberg and co-driver Chris Patterson were stripped of their third place finish on the asphalt event, which finished near Strasbourg on Sunday afternoon, after their car was found to be four kilograms under the 1200kg minimum weight limit.
In a statement, Nogier said: “Petter is very disappointed as he drove brilliantly to score his third podium finish of the season. It’s also a big disappointment for our team. Obviously, we thought that our car’s weight complied with the regulations. Our safety margin, identical to the one we apply all year, wasn’t enough.”
A posting on the Petter Solberg World Rally Team’s website said: “The team has received some devastating news. Petter has lost his third place and has been excluded from the results.”
With two WRC events remaining, Solberg is now 21 points behind fourth-placed Jari-Matti Latvala. The exclusion also means that the Petter Solberg World Rally Team will almost certainly finish the season in fourth position in the manufacturers standings, having slipped 35 points behind the rival M-Sport Stobart Ford operation.

So we have Petter who on Saturday says all is great, quote “It’s been really good. The car has been absolutely fantastic. I don’t want to go into details compared to other rallies but it’s magnificent the difference.” and continues quote "I’ve got the best support for three years on a rally and it’s every stage"
Then on Sunday, Petters car, whose preparation is overseen by Benoit Nogier, the director of Citroen Racing Technologies, is excluded.

My spin on it is this : as Petter now has no chance of challenging the 2 Sebs, Citroen give him all the new bits that they have been working on over the season and the support that he hasn't had too. But then it all goes wrong for Citroen when he is just as fast as them. Then suprise, the car is underwieght! so that's why he went so fast, wink, wink. What a bunch of amateurs that PSWRT, of course he couldn't be as fast as the 2 Sebs without cheating, Could he?
What do you all think?

[N.O.T]

My spin on it is this : as Petter now has no chance of challenging the 2 Sebs, Citroen give him all the new bits that they have been working on over the season and the support that he hasn't had too. But then it all goes wrong for Citroen when he is just as fast as them. Then suprise, the car is underwieght! so that's why he went so fast, wink, wink. What a bunch of amateurs that PSWRT, of course he couldn't be as fast as the 2 Sebs without cheating, Could he?
What do you all think?

so what you are saying is that Citroen prefers to risk manufacturer and driver championships than Solberg looking good ??

[AndyRAC]

Look at last year when he kept taking points away from Ford. Citroen had Loeb, Ogier, Sordo & Petter consistently getting podium places. That hasn't happened this year - and Ford/ Hirvonen can still win the Championship - even though they've won 2 events.
Surely it's in Citroen's best interests for Petter to have a good car?

[N.O.T]

I think the Citroen team gives peter what he pays for...

[Mintexmemory]

I think CRT may well have to refund some of Petter's cash as he will be paying for an item that 'is fit for purpose'. Clearly CRT have failed to deliver through their negligence

[Langdale Forest]

Prehaps the dissapointment of disqualification might spur him on towards good results in Spain and prehaps a win in Wales.
His performance in Japan 2010 shows us what he can still do.

[Griff]

Citroen have given Petter a good car, no doubt that the DS3 is about the best at the moment, but Petter's car seems to be not quite as good as the 2 Seb's cars. They want him to look good, as it's a Citroen he's driving, but not quite as good as the OFFICIAL Citroen team. Don't want him to steal the limelight from the official, all approved drivers. He is only an amateur private team in their eyes and therefore should not be challenging their drivers.
Last year he had a C4, which was at the end of it's devellopement and it was his car. It went back home with him after every rally, not back the Citroen factory in France like the DS3 he is renting this year. Makes all the difference if you control your car. I think Antony Warmbold may know a few things about private team drivers.

[N.O.T]

people honestly believe that Peter can win an event through driving alone ??

[Langdale Forest]

seems a bit unfair that Citroen are giving him a slower car when he pays Citroen.

[Langdale Forest]

people honestly believe that Peter can win an event through driving alone ??


He's better than the future 'paper champion' that is Mikko Hirvonen isn't he?

[N.O.T]

Citroen have given Petter a good car, no doubt that the DS3 is about the best at the moment, but Petter's car seems to be not quite as good as the 2 Seb's cars. They want him to look good, as it's a Citroen he's driving, but not quite as good as the OFFICIAL Citroen team. Don't want him to steal the limelight from the official, all approved drivers. He is only an amateur private team in their eyes and therefore should not be challenging their drivers.
Last year he had a C4, which was at the end of it's devellopement and it was his car. It went back home with him after every rally, not back the Citroen factory in France like the DS3 he is renting this year. Makes all the difference if you control your car. I think Antony Warmbold may know a few things about private team drivers.

If he is that good why wasn't he picked by a manufacturer team all these years ?? Even mini rejected him.....

[Mintexmemory]

people honestly believe that Peter can win an event through driving alone ??

Clearly they do if equal machinery is provided, he has set fastest stage times all year in an inferior car -or do you honestly believe that he has an equal car?

[Mintexmemory]

Even mini rejected him..... How do you know, have you seen the interview notes and the rejection letter?

[N.O.T]

He's better than the future 'paper champion' that is Mikko Hirvonen isn't he?

no, he is not...Hirvonen is better

Hirvonen drives like that because he can, and because he also has a team to support and get points for...

If he wins the championship he will deserve it this year simply because if Ogier and Loeb throw it in the garbage then they are not worthy of the title...

[N.O.T]

How do you know, have you seen the interview notes and the rejection letter?

well they prefered to pay sordo and meeke.....that tells something.

[Langdale Forest]

If he is that good why wasn't he picked by a manufacturer team all these years ?? Even mini rejected him.....


Why would Mini want to reject Solberg?, the Mini team is run by Prodrive, and Solberg was champion with them.

[N.O.T]

Clearly they do if equal machinery is provided, he has set fastest stage times all year in an inferior car -or do you honestly believe that he has an equal car?

this discussion is getting recycled very often....

Why doesn't he have equal machinery ?? Why wasn't he picked by a manufacturer ??

[N.O.T]

Why would Mini want to reject Solberg?, the Mini team is run by Prodrive, and Solberg was champion with them.

why isn't he driving for them then ???

[alleskids]

Citroen needed Solberg to steal points from Hirvonen, now with Petters DQ Hirvonen suddnely gets 3 points as a gift to become level with Loeb. I am pretty sure that is not in the interest of Citroen, so the "cheating" and DQ is not managed by the Citroen top. There are far better options then cheating with kilo's to make Petters car go faster after Loebs retirement: engine mapping to richer to stay on top of Hirvonen but not beating Ogier.

[Griff]

well they prefered to pay sordo and meeke.....that tells something.
err... it seems N.O.T. is NOT making sense again http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Mintexmemory]

well they prefered to pay sordo and meeke.....that tells something.

Using the logic device of Occams razor - it tells you they were cheaper! 'All these years' is just 3 seasons, the first 2 of which Mini weren't even available and the only 2 other manufacturer teams had long term contracted drivers in place. You're views would be better accepted if you didn't constantly exaggerate - I think you've been told that at least a million times.

[bretddog]

Even mini rejected him.....

Petter rejected the mini, as he was quoted he wanted a competitive car. Which was very logical considering his C4 being pretty fast.

[N.O.T]

Using the logic device of Occams razoz - it tells you they were cheaper! 'All these years' is just 3 seasons, the first 2 of which Mini weren't even available and the only 2 other manufacturer teams had long term contracted drivers in place. You're views would be better accepted if you didn't constantly exaggerate - I think you've been told that at least a million times.

cheaper ??? so Solberg prefers to pay millions instead of getting payed at the age of 37 ???

[N.O.T]

Petter rejected the mini, as he was quoted he wanted a competitive car. Which was very logical considering his C4 being pretty fast.

competitive ?? but all solberg fans say that the Citroen ds3 solberg has is not the same as the official one......

[Langdale Forest]

Petter rejected the mini, as he was quoted he wanted a competitive car. Which was very logical considering his C4 being pretty fast.

The Mini is a competetive car now, so prehaps solberg is regretting retiring at the end of this year?

[N.O.T]

err... it seems N.O.T. is NOT making sense again http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

you are still young so its normal to put your heart above your brain... discussions are better kept between adults.

[N.O.T]

The Mini is a competetive car now, so prehaps solberg is regretting retiring at the end of this year?

why retire ?? if he is that good i am sure VW will pick him up....... right ???

[Mintexmemory]

cheaper ??? so Solberg prefers to pay millions instead of getting payed at the age of 37 ???

So you think that PSR doesn't pay Mr Solberg a salary for driving for them? Much you have to learn about self-employment and tax arrangements. The money Petter raises has to pay him and the team personnel - not just Citroen for the car. I'd be amazed if Petter hasn't got a nice offshore account still.

[Langdale Forest]

why retire ?? if he is that good i am sure VW will pick him up....... right ???

It would make sense if they did that, VW is almost guarranteed to be a good team, if Citroen can do it VW can.

[bretddog]

but all solberg fans say that the Citroen ds3 solberg has is not the same as the official one......
Even you know that, when you don't just type for the purpose of annoying everyone.

His rejection of mini in favor of the DS3 was obviously done long before this season, on the reasonable assumption that it would be as competitive as the C4. The fact that this turned out not to materialize, until now, is a completely different topic.

[N.O.T]

So you think that PSR doesn't pay Mr Solberg a salary for driving for them? Much you have to learn about self-employment and tax arrangements. The money Petter raises has to pay him and the team personnel - not just Citroen for the car. I'd be amazed if Petter hasn't got a nice offshore account still.

then why he doesn't continue next year as well ??? his salary not big enough ?? LOL LOL

[N.O.T]

Even you know that, when you don't just type for the purpose of annoying everyone.

His rejection of mini in favor of the DS3 was obviously done long before this season, on the reasonable assumption that it would be as competitive as the C4. The fact that this turned out not to materialize, until now, is a completely different topic.

i have better things to do than annoy people...

The thing is i am having a different opinion than some of you guys....whenever you are having a discussion (on whatever topic) with someone that doesn't share your views you think he does that because he likes to annoy you ??

Peter thought that the ds3 would be as competitive as the C4 he drove or the official C4 Loeb/sordo drove ???

If it is the first one then i think the difference is exactly the same, same car but less service equipment and spares. If he thought he would get exactly the same treatment as the official guys then he is just naive.

[N.O.T]

It would make sense if they did that, VW is almost guarranteed to be a good team, if Citroen can do it VW can.

so if they do not pick him that maybe (just maybe lol) means he is not good enough anymore ??

[BDunnell]

i have better things to do than annoy people...

The thing is i am having a different opinion than some of you guys....whenever you are having a discussion (on whatever topic) with someone that doesn't share your views you think he does that because he likes to annoy you ??

Not at all, but it's the way you express yourself. Most of the rest of us have extremely civil discussions in the rallying forums.

[N.O.T]

please can you point me to any uncivilised response i gave ???

and i am being honest because i really have no intention to annoy anyone.

[bretddog]

i have better things to do than annoy people...

The thing is i am having a different opinion than some of you guys....whenever you are having a discussion (on whatever topic) with someone that doesn't share your views you think he does that because he likes to annoy you ??

Peter thought that the ds3 would be as competitive as the C4 he drove or the official C4 Loeb/sordo drove ???

If it is the first one then i think the difference is exactly the same, same car but less service equipment and spares. If he thought he would get exactly the same treatment as the official guys then he is just naive.

Most times you have different view, but some times you type just to annoy and tick people off. That's a fact.

Obviously Petter knows he has a costumer car, not a factory car, which means it's engine is not as strong. But the C4 was close enough for being comfortably quicker than than the factory Fords, and even to battle with factory C4s if pushed properly. These things have all been clearly stated by Petter too, but I'm not gonna dig up such references just because you have bad memory.

[bretddog]

please can you point me to any uncivilised response i gave ???

and i am being honest because i really have no intention to annoy anyone.

We can give you evidence, which you always cry for..

1. You been banned from this forum before
2. You are by far the one blocked by most other members, probably a comfortable x20 multiple to number 2.

[N.O.T]

Most times you have different view, but some times you type just to annoy and tick people off. That's a fact.

Obviously Petter knows he has a costumer car, not a factory car, which means it's engine is not as strong. But the C4 was close enough for being comfortably quicker than than the factory Fords, and even to battle with factory C4s if pushed properly. These things have all been clearly stated by Petter too, but I'm not gonna dig up such references just because you have bad memory.

well maybe that tells that the official fiesta is closer to the ds3 than the focus was to C4...so hirvonen and Latvala especially can now be faster than Solberg..

[N.O.T]

We can give you evidence, which you always cry for..

1. You been banned from this forum before
2. You are by far the one blocked by most other members, probably a comfortable x20 multiple to number 2.

i was NEVER banned....ask any moderator.

Actually Blocking someone is admitting defeat.....so i am glad that most people prefer to run away than confront me.

[janvanvurpa]

We can give you evidence, which you always cry for..

1. You been banned from this forum before
2. You are by far the one blocked by most other members, probably a comfortable x20 multiple to number 2.

Yepp, just blocked him myself... so unless somebody uses the quote function I am finally free to read a forum mainly of enthusiasts... What a relief it is not to see the rants of a frustrated desk bound "never-will-be" criticizing every single person in every rally..

[BDunnell]

Actually Blocking someone is admitting defeat.....so i am glad that most people prefer to run away than confront me.

If the person being blocked wants to regard this as some sort of 'victory' on their part, so be it. I think that says more about them than it does about me. But this is now going way off topic.

[BDunnell]

Yepp, just blocked him myself... so unless somebody uses the quote function I am finally free to read a forum mainly of enthusiasts...

Or unless they decide they wish to take over every thread with their contributions — a common tactic in some quarters.

[BDunnell]

His rejection of mini in favor of the DS3 was obviously done long before this season, on the reasonable assumption that it would be as competitive as the C4. The fact that this turned out not to materialize, until now, is a completely different topic.

And he wasn't the only one to think that way, by any means.

There comes a point in many a driver's career where they are simply not viewed by major teams as top-line material any more. I fear that Solberg has reached that point now, though I'm still not certain the works teams are right to think that way.

[bretddog]

well maybe that tells that the official fiesta is closer to the ds3 than the focus was to C4...so hirvonen and Latvala especially can now be faster than Solberg..
Again you make a sentence just for the sake of childishly trying to win over my argument, while you certainly know much better. You don't even say it's your belief, you say "maybe".. just to keep your back clean.. coward.

[N.O.T]

well i am using maybe because i am not sure about it...are you sure of what you are saying ?

you made the assumption that the private C4 was better than the private Ds3 and you based your assumption on peters results from peters points of view...i made my assupmtion using the fords point of view....who can guarantee us that one of us is certainly right.

[bretddog]

Actually Blocking someone is admitting defeat.....so i am glad that most people prefer to run away than confront me.

You see, this is where you are dead wrong..

Not everybody has a clinical forum addiction, a thrill over sitting for hour after hour every single day, posting like a lunitic in an attempt to rewrite history by spamming responses to every single word that is written you don't agree with. When you look at a topic page like this one, and 10 out of 14 posts belong to NOT (a pretty common sight), is this a discussion or is it someone who just forgot to take his medication coctail? You just can't leave a single discussion going in a direction you don't agree with.. You see the purpose other people have is not to post the last word on all discussions and shut everyone up. It's possible to accept that other views than your own can be posted.

And you say you are "glad", for them being "defeated". Which is exactly the problem. This is your purpose, to defeat as many as you can. And it's why we all see you as no more than a douche-bag.

This is why you are blocked. People just don't have the time to spend on such crap.

[N.O.T]

Actually i make 3.5 posts per day on average.....i would not call that an addiction.

when i see something i do not agree of course i am going to point it out....isn't that the normal procedure ??

[pino]

Please keep this on topic and take your private issues to pm thank you !

[bretddog]

Actually i make 3.5 posts per day on average.....i would not call that an addiction.

when i see something i do not agree of course i am going to point it out....isn't that the normal procedure ??

My memory says you hit 10000 posts about a year ago, and your history shows 493 posts since 24th August. Which both gives a 12 posts per day average.

No, it's not normal to ALWAYS point EVERYTHING out that you don't agree with, EVERY time. The fact that we post different views is not that we forgot what you said yesterday, or 10 minutes ago.. We do remember very well.

Again I know besides your genuine rally interest and part-time interesting posts you have just a douche-bag agenda, where significant parts of it is 100% conscious.

[Woodeye]

i Actually Blocking someone is admitting defeat.....so i am glad that most people prefer to run away than confront me.

Actually not. If people block you they are just sick and tired of the trolling that you do around here.

Defeating you in conversation is easier than beating sick dog... etc. nonsense.

[Langdale Forest]

Actually not. If people block you they are just sick and tired of the trolling that you do around here.

Defeating you in conversation is easier than beating sick dog... etc. nonsense.

Is sick dog a term N.O.T uses to describe slow drivers?

[Woodeye]

Yes. And for 7586 other things as well.

[Plan9]

And he wasn't the only one to think that way, by any means.

There comes a point in many a driver's career where they are simply not viewed by major teams as top-line material any more. I fear that Solberg has reached that point now, though I'm still not certain the works teams are right to think that way.

I am not sure that Mini would have lent Solberg a car at all. He seems to have an ability to get on the wrong side of people. He did something wrong at the end of 2008 and Richards has not forgiven him. I can only speculate that Richards wanted him to do the season with an upgraded 2008 Impreza (that eventually went to Gronholm) and was upset when he choose a 2003 Xsara. Does anyone have any suggestions why Prodrive might be pissed with Petter?

[bretddog]

I am not sure that Mini would have lent Solberg a car at all. He seems to have an ability to get on the wrong side of people. He did something wrong at the end of 2008 and Richards has not forgiven him. I can only speculate that Richards wanted him to do the season with an upgraded 2008 Impreza (that eventually went to Gronholm) and was upset when he choose a 2003 Xsara. Does anyone have any suggestions why Prodrive might be pissed with Petter?
Richards may have been dissapionted for their own sake, but upset or pissed? I can't see where you got that from.

Petter did just the logical thing to go after a proven fast and reliable car. Testing the Xsara (it was 2006 spec) for 400 meters was all he needed to decide it was the right choice. And not only that, he had to manage his marketing image/value, where driving the Impreza would just maintain the question marks some had of him at the time. Using the older Xsara his project also had limited downside risk. And what he did with it and the C4 made people understand how poor the Impreza really was. I don't think Petter will ever regret what he did from 2009 on.

[manta400]

I met a pristine transit with a trailer coming back to Ireland in July 10. I jokingly said have you a mini wrc under there.? He smiled and said it was a ford!! He did say they were evaluating 2 makes and I asked him would Petter be asked back? He said he doubted it as the feedback on 2008 impreza was always negative from him...

[skarderud]

as far as i know, petter was an employee of subaru, atko was employee of prodrive.
petters last years in prodrive/subaru was not good times, and i can say på 99% that petter will never drive a prodrive car again, and prodrive want not have petter back. who's fault it was that the car sucks isn't easy to say from the outside, but petter was by far fed up with the prodrive system, so i dont think he even cared what happened there. if subaru do a comeback, im is close to betting that petter will be in that car!

cara lishman is a bitch

[Langdale Forest]

Hopefully, Solberg can win in Wales on what could be his final event, if he does, he will probably set the record for time between wins, that's one record that Sebastien Loeb will never get.

[Plan9]

I wouldn't be surprised if Loeb is lured back to the WRC after a number of years away.

[tfp]

I wouldn't be surprised if Loeb is lured back to the WRC after a number of years away.
+1 Especially if he goes to Lemans or something like that. What do the Lemans drivers do for the rest of the year :D

[N.O.T]

I wouldn't be surprised if Loeb is lured back to the WRC after a number of years away.

how many exactly ?? because he is already 37.....and what for ??

[N.O.T]

+1 Especially if he goes to Lemans or something like that. What do the Lemans drivers do for the rest of the year :D

they do leman series...

but thats too much to ask....

[A.F.F.]

Actually Blocking someone is admitting defeat.....so i am glad that most people prefer to run away than confront me.

LOL !!!

[Plan9]

how many exactly ?? because he is already 37.....and what for ??

Maybe just to do one event a bit like Gronholm? I don't think that age will be of concern to Loeb.

[tfp]

Maybe just to do one event a bit like Gronholm? I don't think that age will be of concern to Loeb.

Another example is Kankkunen last year.
Where are all of the veterans this year? I cant think of any entries of former champions, etc.

[Plan9]

I miss Didier Auriol. He should be on my little list =p

[Viking]

Petter on Twitter "Exciting times! Decisions need to be made!"

[6789]

Petter on Twitter "Exciting times! Decisions need to be made!"

Yes!!! Hope he gets a drive somewhere!!

[GigiGalliNo1]

Is it easier and cheaper for Petter Solberg to run a team of two cars with young drivers (not him driving) then for him just to compete a whole season in 2012? Perhaps he can open a team for the SWRC? Go from there? :)

Discuss.

[Koppomsbo]

Yes!!! Hope he gets a drive somewhere!!

Well, he must make decisions, beacause the entry for Monte is closing up.. (and for the whole season?)

[6789]

Well, he must make decisions, beacause the entry for Monte is closing up.. (and for the whole season?)
With Monte back in its effectivly one less month of off season, which is good for fans but probably harder for him to work on the budget

[Brother John]

Is it easier and cheaper for Petter Solberg to run a team of two cars with young drivers (not him driving) then for him just to compete a whole season in 2012? Perhaps he can open a team for the SWRC? Go from there? :)

Discuss.

Already three years ago I said that he had to start a team for new and young drivers. :s mokin:

[bretddog]

Already three years ago I said that he had to start a team for new and young drivers. :s mokin:

Then you were at least half a decade too early. What's the fun of managing a team compared to driving? I think Petter is quite capable of staying in the game for some years more.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Petter still has it in him!

I'm not doubting that!

He can certainly still win and would be some $£

[Fide]

Source : 2012 WRC Rumour Round Up (http://worldrallyreview.com/2011/2012-wrc-rumour-round-up/)

"Team Solberg at Ford" (rumour)

Solberg related rumour is that the Solberg brothers will be in the same team next year. a Fiesta WRC would be the obvious choice given Henning's relationship with ford but going back to the blue oval would be a surprising move for Petter after he burnt any bridges that may have led to Cockermouth back in the day. Malcom Wilson appears to still hold a grudge for Solberg's defection to Subaru all those years ago but time is a great healer and if Solberg knocks on the door of M-sport with an envelope containing a few million euro's then it is a strong possibility he could find himself in for a seat fitting fairly quickly.

It is unlikely Petter will pay for another season of rallying himself but Henning has always appeared to have more luck in attracting enough sponsorship each year to pay for his own WRC campaigns so maybe Petter is planning to leverage the contacts and enthusiasm of his brother"

[noel157]

As you almost say, cash is a great healer.........

[Pinto]

would it not be a more cost effective venture if both brothers teamed up and spread out the costs

[noel157]

would it not be a more cost effective venture if both brothers teamed up and spread out the costs

Would be if there was enough money to spread out. It's a good fit, the two brothers in their own team.

[Pinto]

as long as brothers been brothers dont fall out lol

[grugsticles]

as long as brothers been brothers dont fall out lol

Somehow I dont think there will be too many arguments/altercations between the 2 during rallys. Petter is the better (if thats the right word) driver, so as far as finishing orders go I think Petter will automatically be ahead of Henning.
Perhaps there would be issues behind the scenes, but being professionals they should be able to work around that.

[Arwel Davies]

If rumours are true that Ogier has signed a big bucks deal with VW, Petter could find himself alongside Jari Matti in the works Fiesta. Now that would be a wonderful sight to see. Who knows though. ;)

[WRCS14]

Pretty cool video released by the Solbergs today for the extreme motor show!

Faster, Harder, Stronger - Solberg Extreme Motorshow - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=efGoFtVJs-M)

[vkangas]

Pretty cool video released by the Solbergs today for the extreme motor show!

Faster, Harder, Stronger - Solberg Extreme Motorshow - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=efGoFtVJs-M)

Great stuff!

[ryland.j]

has anybody else had any problems getting onto petter's official web site?when i try to get on to it,a warning comes up telling me that it is blocked and if i enter it it can harm my computer :confused:

[Co-driven]

Just accessed it.

By the way, the fact that Monster's logo was in the Solberg Extreme MotorShow could be a new sponsor?

[Plan9]

That would be nice. Could tie in well with the reduced presence of MWRT next year.

All pure speculation of course.

By the way, I read that some energy drink products were banned in Norway? I only ask as Monster is a powerful brew =p

[Alpha]

Yeah, some Norwegian health agency set the limit for caffeine contents at 160ml pr liter. Red Bull is at 320ml/l. Not sure about Monster. However, due to new regulations mandated by Norways participation in the European Economic Area (EEA) the drinks are now allowed.

On topic: Malcolm is crazy if he doesn't do everything possible to get Petter in the A-team.

[Plan9]

@Alpha- That's interesting about the level of Norway's regulations. How do you put up with that? That level in NZ would cause riots in the streets!

According to a Norwegian mate when the oil runs out you will have to become more reliant on a more liberal form of economics.
I have always been surprised how Petter and Henning got so much money comparatively easily in such conditions.

I agree with what you say about Malcom, I don't think it will be Henning's seat based on his previous results alone; although Petter has made the best of a tough situation! Although I think he made the right move to ditch ford when he could.

By the way, are Petter and Henning big stars in Norway? rally drivers do not tend to get much press over here.

[grugsticles]

@Alpha- That's interesting about the level of Norway's regulations. How do you put up with that? That level in NZ would cause riots in the streets!

According to a Norwegian mate when the oil runs out you will have to become more reliant on a more liberal form of economics.
I have always been surprised how Petter and Henning got so much money comparatively easily in such conditions.

I agree with what you say about Malcom, I don't think it will be Henning's seat based on his previous results alone; although Petter has made the best of a tough situation! Although I think he made the right move to ditch ford when he could.

By the way, are Petter and Henning big stars in Norway? rally drivers do not tend to get much press over here.

Quoted for making a very going point and asking an equally good question.
Australia is the same as New Zealand as far as rally driver and recognition go. There are select few dedicated fans that know everyone and everything, then there are the every day Joe's that will watch a stage or 2 of a rally while thinking that Subaru are still in the WRC and ARC (but haven't been for a significant length of time).
Then there the other 85% of the population... absolutely clueless.

For someone like Chris Atkinson who was lucky to get the opportunity he did with Prodrive when he did, and not undeserved, getting sponsorship is next to impossible because 90% of the population have never heard of him.
I'm assuming Petter and Henning are national stars similar to Michael Schumacher in Germany?

[Micke_VOC]

By the way, are Petter and Henning big stars in Norway? rally drivers do not tend to get much press over here.

They are really big and well known in Norway, i can guess that 99 percent of every Norwegian know who they are.

[ryland.j]

has anybody else had any problems getting onto petter's official web site?when i try to get on to it,a warning comes up telling me that it is blocked and if i enter it it can harm my computer :confused:

working now,seems to have sorted itself out :up:

[tfp]

@Alpha- That's interesting about the level of Norway's regulations. How do you put up with that? That level in NZ would cause riots in the streets!

According to a Norwegian mate when the oil runs out you will have to become more reliant on a more liberal form of economics.
I have always been surprised how Petter and Henning got so much money comparatively easily in such conditions.

I agree with what you say about Malcom, I don't think it will be Henning's seat based on his previous results alone; although Petter has made the best of a tough situation! Although I think he made the right move to ditch ford when he could.

By the way, are Petter and Henning big stars in Norway? rally drivers do not tend to get much press over here.

I once asked a norwegian lady (a trainee vet studying over here) that exact question, she said "They are very well known and popular!"

[skarderud]

correct, even my mom knows these crazy brothers, and she is a true hippie that think all motorsport (and everything else funny) should be banned.
but she likes these two :)

when petter won wc in '03 subaru raised theire sales with 60% if i don't remember wrong, citroen raised with 40% in norway when petter started that thing.
i think they can be the only guest at a tv-show in saturday primetime, and "whole" norway will take a look :)

[Mintexmemory]

On topic: Malcolm is crazy if he doesn't do everything possible to get Petter in the A-team.

I wouldn't be surprised if the deal which has ensured JML's loyalty to M-Sport / Ford for 2012 is an assurance that he is undisputed Team No1 with a say about who is No2. If JML wants to have a chance of WDC in 2012 the last thing he wants is 'Hollywood' competition.

[tfp]

correct, even my mom knows these crazy brothers, and she is a true hippie that think all motorsport (and everything else funny) should be banned.
but she likes these two :)

when petter won wc in '03 subaru raised theire sales with 60% if i don't remember wrong, citroen raised with 40% in norway when petter started that thing.
i think they can be the only guest at a tv-show in saturday primetime, and "whole" norway will take a look :)

That backed me up good :)

[Rallyper]

I wouldn't be surprised if the deal which has ensured JML's loyalty to M-Sport / Ford for 2012 is an assurance that he is undisputed Team No1 with a say about who is No2. If JML wants to have a chance of WDC in 2012 the last thing he wants is 'Hollywood' competition.

But I guess he wants competition. Don´t you.

No WDC is a true champ without competition within his own team or not.

I like to see Solberg brothers in M-sport next year!

[Sulland]

correct, even my mom knows these crazy brothers, and she is a true hippie that think all motorsport (and everything else funny) should be banned.
but she likes these two :)

when petter won wc in '03 subaru raised theire sales with 60% if i don't remember wrong, citroen raised with 40% in norway when petter started that thing.
i think they can be the only guest at a tv-show in saturday primetime, and "whole" norway will take a look :)

The special thing with the two brothers is that all generatons know who they are and what they do.

[sollitt]

Then there the other 85% of the population... absolutely clueless.

For someone like Chris Atkinson ....... getting sponsorship is next to impossible because 90% of the population have never heard of him.
It's not that they're "clueless" at all. It's that they're just not interested in the sport, and they're perfectly entitled to not be interested.

[Mintexmemory]

But I guess he wants competition. Don´t you.

No WDC is a true champ without competition within his own team or not.

I like to see Solberg brothers in M-sport next year!

As a fan of rallying (NB: Not 'rally') I wan't to see a close competition in each rally (NB: event name only , English grammar nazi lesson over ;) ). If I were a driver looking to depose the 8 times king (competition enough for anyone) I'd wan't one less guy who is likely to take points from me on the events when he gets in the zone (unless he is always required contractually to give up position).
I can't see Petter signing such a contract. BTW given how little competition Loeb has had in his own team, is he a 'true' champ? - I think he is.

[Motorsportfun]

Yeah, some Norwegian health agency set the limit for caffeine contents at 160ml pr liter. Red Bull is at 320ml/l. Not sure about Monster. However, due to new regulations mandated by Norways participation in the European Economic Area (EEA) the drinks are now allowed.

These companies change their recipes, due to local laws :)

Coca Cola does it too.

[Motorsportfun]

They are really big and well known in Norway, i can guess that 99 percent of every Norwegian know who they are.

I know also that Henning is a big star in the talk shows...

[Alpha]

@Alpha- That's interesting about the level of Norway's regulations. How do you put up with that? That level in NZ would cause riots in the streets!

According to a Norwegian mate when the oil runs out you will have to become more reliant on a more liberal form of economics.
I have always been surprised how Petter and Henning got so much money comparatively easily in such conditions.

I agree with what you say about Malcom, I don't think it will be Henning's seat based on his previous results alone; although Petter has made the best of a tough situation! Although I think he made the right move to ditch ford when he could.

By the way, are Petter and Henning big stars in Norway? rally drivers do not tend to get much press over here.

How we put up? God only knows... I'm fed up with it and many others are too. Many polls had a more liberal government alternative in chance of taking control for the past year, but the terrorist attacks of July 22nd sent many voters back to the socialist party that was the center of the attack. The next national election is in 2013 though and I believe we'll get a more liberal government then. Norway may be at the top of the UNs HDI ranking, basically making it the best country in the world. Sounds good? Well it is, but it's not without problems. High taxes makes many things extremely expensive in Norway:
Remember that 2002 model Mercedes CL 600 that Clarkson bought in an episode of Top Gear? That exact same car would cost 7(!!) -SEVEN- times more in Norway than in the UK. My 1998 Porsche 911 cost me the equivalent of 74000 dollars (Australian or American, they're about the same). If I import a brand new Commodore SS from Australia for it's dealer price of 42000 aud (I don't have to pay Australias 10% GST so I only pay 38000 aud for the car itself), it will cost me about 190300 aud with Norwegian plates. 9500 aud is value added tax, the rest (180800 aud) is taxes. They are calculated by how much it weighs (heavier = more expensive), how much CO2 it produces (more = more expensive) and how much horsepower it's got (more = more expensive).

All those taxes would make life pretty sweet in Norway? Both yes and no. We currently have almost the lowest road-standard in Europe, even Albania beats us. I have to replace the lower lip on my car about once a year. Potholes and other road defects beat it to pieces. Various government agencies have been re-organized the last couple of years and most ended in disaster, especially with regards to healtcare, care for the elderly and labour & welfare administration. Schools are literally falling apart and even our enormous vault of oil-related income is threatened by our long-term benefits obligations and coming elderly-boom. Oslo (our capitol) has been struggling with a recent rampage in assault rapes and drug-related crimes. Every assault rape the past couple of years have been committed by immigrants, mostly from Africa or the middle east. Some say thanks to a very liberal immigration policy. In addition, gangs of thieves from eastern Europe has also seen Norway as a popular target. With mild punishment when caught and prisons with comfort levels like cheap hotels I can understand why.

We've been a bit too naive I guess, and I hope that while things are bound to change, we still try to be open, welcoming and know for our hospitality and kindness.

As regards to the oil reserves, the current socialist government has around three times more money to spend than the previous liberal one, due to increases in oil-related income. But even with those insane amounts they still aren't able to reduce the drag in maintenance or long cues in the healthcare system. Unemployment is low though, and most can be attributed to hiring an enormous amount of people into the public sector. Norways bureaucracy is bigger than Sweden even though we have half the population and less land mass. Running that is expensive and we have a lot of fat to trim when we finally get liberals at the helm.


The Solberg brothers is a popular pair in Norway as they are in the rest of the world. They were spearheaded into the nations hearts with Petters WRC win in 2003 and has stayed there since. They are good at selling themselves and generally well-liked. National newspapers doesn't write much about their results though. Whole WRC rounds can go by unmentioned unless they crash and burn or finish days on the podium. As someone else mentioned, Petter is good at selling "his" brand and Citroens magnificent 40% sales bump is impressive. They weren't very popular in Norway before Petter got his C4 though so they had a lot of potential: The most-selling car in Norway in 2009 was the VW Golf, followed by the Toyota Avensis and the Ford Mondeo. Citroen wasn't in the top 20.
In september this year the Golf was still on top, followed by the Mitusbishi ASX and the VW Passat. Citroen still wasn't in the top 15 on that list. For manufacturers, by september this year, sorted by sales: Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford, Volvo, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Audi, Skoda, BMW, Nissan. Citroen isn't in the top 10.

[Plan9]

Wow, I am so sorry to hear that. Cars are actually not subject to as much taxation in NZ funnily enough. In NZ our previous socialist government had a phobia about maintaining roads as well. I think it is something about them that sends trembles of fear down their spines. Its public owned transport or virtually nothing down here as far as Labour are concerned.
I thought that Sweden was attempting do deregulate? NZ did this in the 1980s-1990s but since 1996 we have be on the very gradual decline that doesn't seem to be stopping.
I am sorry to hear that the justice system is so ****ed over there. Again we have similar complaints here too.
On Petter and Henning, I have always admired their entrepreneurial spirit and I think that they were a good example of success in very difficult times. Their positive, up-beat manner is also very refreshing!

[Sulland]

Options are narrowing down: It is Ford or nothing !
http://www.norsk-rally.com/components/com_agora/img/members/936/mini_Petter-i-2012.jpeg

[Barreis]

Worse choice.

[Fide]

Options are narrowing down: It is Ford or nothing !
http://www.norsk-rally.com/components/com_agora/img/members/936/mini_Petter-i-2012.jpeg

Do we have the text of the article ?