What will the Solberg Brothers do in 09 ?

How often has it happened that a privateer or a M2 car have won a rally? Citroen won't allow it, and especially not a old Xsara beating the new C4. And I guess Malcolm Wilson is pretty strict in that case too..

I hear that Solberg is in Ireland, he is negociating with Den Motorsport for a 2.4 Mk2 Escort.
It must be true as noone would make something like that up. ;)

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Originally Posted by JFL

How often has it happened that a privateer or a M2 car have won a rally? Citroen won't allow it, and especially not a old Xsara beating the new C4. And I guess Malcolm Wilson is pretty strict in that case too..

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That's because M2 privateers have not been good enough to take wins. Duval was allowed to beat Hirvonen in Germany so I guess he could have won if he had been fast enough to beat Loeb.

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Originally Posted by Finni

That's because M2 privateers have not been good enough to take wins. Duval was allowed to beat Hirvonen in Germany so I guess he could have won if he had been fast enough to beat Loeb.

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As long as Citroen has retired or they are behind, and the WRC standings allows it... Sure.. WRC has become a mafia sport! Lets hope the new WRC gets better with closer fights, and more different winners..

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Originally Posted by Iskald

The key question in this case, I think, is whether Citroën or Ford has any motivation whatsoever in supplying Petter Solberg with a really competitive car. Why should they, if they suspect that Petter actually is capable of beating their guys (and steal points in the championship from their own title candidates)?

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I think if Wilson suspects that Petter beats his drivers he would have very good reason to use Petter's service. In this case he would have a driver that is capable to fight Loeb.

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Originally Posted by Finni

Duval was allowed to beat Hirvonen in Germany

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Yes because it was not Malcolm's car Duval was driving in Germany.

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Originally Posted by Finni

I think if Wilson suspects that Petter beats his drivers he would have very good reason to use Petter's service. In this case he would have a driver that is capable to fight Loeb.

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I cant hardly wait what the excuses will be, if the guy is off pace :)

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Originally Posted by Finni

I think if Wilson suspects that Petter beats his drivers he would have very good reason to use Petter's service. In this case he would have a driver that is capable to fight Loeb.

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I think you're absolutely right here, the problem now is that I think it is somewhat uncertain which level Petter is on. How much of the poor results the last 3-4 years is due to the Impreza, and how much is driver related? I guess there will be an indication in Rally Irland, it will be very, very interesting to see Atkonsons' pace there! If one should assume that the things he have said about the C4 is correct, he will be very, very close to the fastest drivers - and where would Petter be, on Loebs' level?

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Originally Posted by Halvis

very close to the fastest drivers - and where would Petter be, on Loebs' level?

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Or more likely, right behind Atkinson.

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Originally Posted by Finni

That's because M2 privateers have not been good enough to take wins. Duval was allowed to beat Hirvonen in Germany so I guess he could have won if he had been fast enough to beat Loeb.

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By the way! Duval was in a M1 car in Germany!