What will the Solberg Brothers do in 09 ?

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Originally Posted by Psycho!

Guys there is a new article about Petter on vg.no.Can anyone translate it??Thank you in advance...

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It is an article from NTB witch most news had yesterday. It states that Petter is unsure if he can drive Rally Norway:

Google translate:
Petter unsure if he reaches Rally Norway

Petter Solberg is far from sure if he prefer to gather threads and sign off on the Rally Norway, on time, leaving 6 January.


When the NTB was in conversation with Solberg Friday, said 34-year-old that he was not much closer to any particular solution for the 2009-season than he was before new years eve.

- It will go a while before I get things completely in place. If I manage to achieve something by the deadline runs out is quite impossible to say, "said the former Subaru-driver.

Free from contract

Solberg lost the job when the Subaru just before Christmas pulled out of the WRC. IHe was freed from the contract with the Japanese carmaker, but he is negotiating a new agreement with the factory to compensate some of the lost employee's annual salary of 6 million euros (60 million).

From several quarters, it is speculation about Solberg going to start their own rallyteam with money from their own pocket. The options are offered a seat from one of the remaining factory teams in single races, or he must buy him a place in a factory-backed teams.

- Working on something

- I have not spoken anything about what goes on. I have something going on, but still it can go one way or the other way. I still do not work in detail in this project, "says Solberg to NTB.

WRC starts in Ireland 30 January with Petter Solberg. 13. February starts Rally Norway.

If I am right,everything depends on the money he will/won't take from Subaru??

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Originally Posted by Psycho!

If I am right,everything depends on the money he will/won't take from Subaru??

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did he not say that he has the budget long time ago already.

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Originally Posted by Camelopard

MikeD with his finger on the pulse as usual!!! :)

Glad you aren't giving any Expert advice or consulting for my companies..... :)

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I was just translating what was written in the article for Tom :rolleyes: "Vi har hørt rykter om at Expert trekker seg som sponsor for Henning Solberg" which means "but signs/rumours are that Expert won't support H.Solberg"

What surprise me is Petters salary... €6m/year? He obviously negioated that after becoming WRC Champ, some years ago.

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Originally Posted by Finni

I don't know from where is coming supposition that Ford is unsuitable car to Henning. I don't remember that Henning would have been more near to top in any other car.

And obviously Henning is too unhappy with Ford-treatment because he is again driving with them.

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Two factors are the lack of testing he had during the 08 season and also the bias Malcolm Wilson had for his factory drivers. It seemed that Munchi's and Stobart would just play a part in insuring Latvala and Hirvonen got top results.

Also, when he tested the Fabia he gave it very positive feedback and said it could be a race winner, despite it being outdated.

Sure, with more testing for 2009 on the cards, I'm confident that this will help Henning adopt to the car quicker over the course of a rally weekend. :up:

Edit: So basically, my previous comment was concluding that he wasn't given the proper opportunity to get good results because he was driving a car with no testing done. And, Malcolm would favour his Abu Dhabi team over the rest (kind of understandable.)

Well, anybody who knows rallying, also knows that you should keep Solberg bros as far away from testing as you can :)

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Originally Posted by ARF

Well, anybody who knows rallying, also knows that you should keep Solberg bros as far away from testing as you can :)

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well said, especially the younger one :)

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Originally Posted by Buzz Lightyear

What surprise me is Petters salary... €6m/year? He obviously negioated that after becoming WRC Champ, some years ago.

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I agree that that is high if you see the results, but he is still a superstar in Japan and that might help !

But Rally at top level need to get away from that the best drivers have to pay to drive. They need to get paid from the team that runs them, and from their sponsors. Maybe a couple of personal sponsors on top of that.

If not the sport will die !

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Originally Posted by ARF

Well, anybody who knows rallying, also knows that you should keep Solberg bros as far away from testing as you can :)

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It is however a difference in testing the car (for development) and testing for personal setup before a rally...