Petter Solberg WRT

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Originally Posted by N.O.T

It was Solbergs choice to go for the money at subaru than compromise and get a better car...now he pays that price...

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Well, the subaru was a great car for a couple years after he got it- it wasn't until 05 that it started going downhill IMO and by 06 it was uncompetitive due to constant mechanical failures.

Now I'm not saying that Atko is a bad driver, as I think he's pretty good; but to say he's faster than Petter is silly. He scored some solid results early in the season, when he was driving a (slightly) more robust Subaru than Petter.

This season Petter's been showing the kind of driving that beat Sebastien and Marcus back in 03/04. Taking note of the individual stage times reveals that he's been losing lots of time on the fast open stages but in the twisty slow stages he sets times competitive with the factory drivers (ie, most of Cyprus, where he soundly beat Dani and got a couple stage wins)

I love every post in here, N.O.T!

When is Petter's final decision regarding the car he'll use in Finland ??? :confused:

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Originally Posted by serial jeff

Well, the subaru was a great car for a couple years after he got it- it wasn't until 05 that it started going downhill IMO and by 06 it was uncompetitive due to constant mechanical failures.

Now I'm not saying that Atko is a bad driver, as I think he's pretty good; but to say he's faster than Petter is silly. He scored some solid results early in the season, when he was driving a (slightly) more robust Subaru than Petter.

This season Petter's been showing the kind of driving that beat Sebastien and Marcus back in 03/04. Taking note of the individual stage times reveals that he's been losing lots of time on the fast open stages but in the twisty slow stages he sets times competitive with the factory drivers (ie, most of Cyprus, where he soundly beat Dani and got a couple stage wins)

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I agree with a lot of point made in this thread, but most of all I agree with the above.
The Xxara just isnt as fast as the C4/Focus on the faster stage sections.
You can tell by the way Petter looks, speaks and generally acts around the service park that he is happy and content and most of all, he isn't frustrated with his own ability.
At the end of the day, hes driving as fast as he can with the machinery he has been given. Its just unfortunate for him, his sponsors and most of all his fans that he cant get one of the fastest cars and push that little bit harder.

Its also true that Petter is getting older and as such his reactions arn't as sharp as they once were, but I dont think that he is totally 'over it'. Look at guys like Sainz, Makkinen, Stig and even Gronholm. They all competed when they were approaching 40 (or more) and were still competitive.

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Originally Posted by 'Mirek Fric [Cze

]Do You have exact numbers?

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Top speed is not the number to look at it in rallying. For example i can always say that Mikkelsen in a Skoda was faster through the corner before the straight, hence the better top speed. :)

It is interesting if You have something to compare with (I mean previous meassures with same car) ;)

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Originally Posted by 'Mirek Fric [Cze

]It is interesting if You have something to compare with (I mean previous meassures with same car) ;)

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I know, my answer was meant more to JFL, but somehow only your quote was in my reply :)

Its also true that Petter is getting older and as such his reactions arn't as sharp as they once were, but I dont think that he is totally 'over it'. Look at guys like Sainz, Makkinen, Stig and even Gronholm. They all competed when they were approaching 40 (or more) and were still competitive.[/quote]

I don´t want to end this discussion about Petter and his abilities, but a summary would be on it´s place:

petter is still a competitive driver who, with the right car could match anyone in the WRC. His age is not a problem until maybe 5-7 years from now (I even think he´s in the very best age right now).

Petter needs a car that´s competitve and that requires a Ford or a C4. Until then he will remain on 4th or podium if a couple of C4 or Fords will retire.

Every discussion if he´s to old has a an old car etz, everyone knows pretty much all of the facts around that. :s mokin:

See you in NORF and hope Petter will make a good race. That´s good for the sport!

Tommi Makinen: "Car was good but race was bad" is a cool song I´ve heard many times on Keski Suomi when visiting NORF. Does anybody know the name of the guy who imitate Tommi and laughing, talking english like him...? :p

From where is coming this talk that Petter is doing amazing things with the Xsara? Yes Xsara is an ancient car but that very same car beated new type of Focus during the year 2006. In Sweden Andersson was faster than Petter with the Skoda and in Poland Mikkselsen was about as fast. Are Mikkelsen and Andersson really top world level drivers or is Skoda faster than the Xsara of Petter?

In my view there is something wrong with Petter + Xsara combination. That combination should be way faster than some young drivers + Skoda. I have my doubts that Citroen is not still bringing him full 2006 package. If 307 is remarkably better in acceleration it's a sign of downgarded engine with the Xsara.

Cannot access to the facebook to see whale tests pictures.... Could someone paste a picture here ? Thanks in advance