A lot of mud after the 1st run	Getting the last mud out
  Subaru Impreza	  Petter and Paul Howarth

After three runs of shakedown this morning, Petter set the fastest time together with Mikko Hirvonen, with 2.22,6. Henning has also done three runs, with the best time on the third; 2.24,4.

A few changes has been done on the Subaru; small adjustments on bumpers and springs, and the pedals have been moved forward in order for Petter to have the best foot-position when he dances through the stages with the car. And they do dance! Imagine for a second that you are Petter and place your feet on the pedals and your hands on the steering. Now you are ready to dance! Move your feet and hands as if you were really driving, do you get the rhythm? Can you feel how important it is that your feet are comfortable with the angle of the pedal? It is all about rhythm, and to find the correct rhythm every move you do is important. Dance away!

It is quite cold at the servicepark today, windy, but no rain. But the rain is due tomorrow, pairing up with a gail, so get your raincoat and wool-underwear if you are heading out on the stages tomorrow.

After two days with recce in Wales, Petter Solberg went to bed tonight, smiling. He said the stages were extremely muddy because of all the rain, and he are really looking forward to start on Friday. Tomorrow at 0800 hrs is everything set for Petter to start shakedown, and the final adjustments. Shakedown is run on a 3,9km closed road in Penllergaer Forest, just a few minutes from the servicepark at Felindre outstide Swansea. The drivers can run the shakedown stage as many times as they wish, just as long as they are finished before 1200. The conditions of the shakedown stage should reflect what can be expected out on the stages during the weekend, and it is the team’s final chance to make sure everything on the car works correctly in rallyspeed. Most drivers go through once and then head back to the servicepark for adjustments, and then they make their second run through. We hear a lot about setting the fastest time on shakedown, but the time does not count.

After finishing the shakedown, Petter does a lot of interviews tomorrow, before he heads up to Cardiff in the afternoon. And there is a lot going on in Cardiff tomorrow, you can even find a little piece of Norway! At 1700 Rally Norway hosts a presentation of the event in Norway in 2007, with Norwegian drivers present. At 1830 there is an autograph session with all the drivers in Cardiff Rally Village, and the ceremonial start is held at 1930. All times are local times. Outside Millenium Stadium the organizers has build a giant Rally Village, and already Wednesday afternoon there were lots of people there. Millenium Stadium is a spectacular building hosting Rugbyfinals, Speedway competitions and Rally. 25.000 spectators will be there on Saturday night watching the special stage inside the stadium.

This year is the 62nd running of the Rally, and the rally is one of Britain’s biggest sporting event. For 2006 they have 118 entries, with Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen being the youngest to start.

Hello from Wales!

Testing yesterday, relaxing today. This was my day ”off” before the Rally, and I’ve used it well. I have been exercising, eating, relaxing – and I went to the movies. It’s not often I get the chance, but today I have been watching the new James Bond, Casino Royale. I liked it, but I still think Pierce Brosnan is the best 007. Don’t you?

It’s heavy rain in Swansea right now, and more rain is forecasted. And rain means muddy stages, and that would be perfect for us. We are starting recce tomorrow, and I’m really looking forward to get started.

Speak soon,

Petter S

 

Next weekend we head to the south of Wales, and the 2006 season’s grand finale. Wales is the homefield of codriver Phil Mills, and is one of the toughest events this year. The servicepark is situated near Swansea, while capitol of Wales, Cardiff, is hosting the seremonial start/finish and a superspecial at Millenium Stadium on Saturday night. In 2003 Petter and Phil won the championship with their victory in Wales, and they are listed with 4 wins on this rally. However, last years win doesn’t feel like a victory, after being proclaimed as winners after the tragic death of Michael Park.

This year the rally is moved back to december and the final event of the calendar, after being held in September for two years. The winter date will increase the chances of some really tough welsh weather; rain, fog, ice and even snow. Muddy stages will be a big challenge for the drivers.

Some of the stages are changed compared to last year. Leg 3 stages will be run the opposite way, and the route through Margham Park is changed, in respect of codriver Michael Parks memory.

The teams are already settled in Swansea, and they start recce tomorrow morning. The seremonial start will take place outside Millenium Stadium in Cardiff Thursday night, and the drivers continue with 6 stages on Friday, 7 stages on Saturday and 4 stages on Sunday. They will run 356km special stages and 850km with roadsection through out the weekend.

This weekend we are headed to the south of Wales, and the 2006 season’s grand finale. Wales is the homefield of codriver Phil Mills, and is one of the toughest events this year. The servicepark is situated near Swansea, while capitol of Wales, Cardiff, is hosting the seremonial start/finish and a superspecial at Millenium Stadium on Saturday night. In 2003 Petter and Phil won the championship with their victory in Wales, and they are listed with 4 wins on this rally. However, last years win doesn’t feel like a victory, after being proclaimed as winners after the tragic death of Michael Park.

This year the rally is moved back to december and the final event of the calendar, after being held in September for two years. The winter date will increase the chances of some really tough welsh weather; rain, fog, ice and even snow. Muddy stages will be a big challenge for the drivers.

Some of the stages are changed compared to last year. Leg 3 stages will be run the opposite way, and the route through Margham Park is changed, in respect of codriver Michael Parks memory.

The teams are already settled in Swansea, and they start recce tomorrow morning. The seremonial start will take place outside Millenium Stadium in Cardiff Thursday night, and the drivers continue with 6 stages on Friday, 7 stages on Saturday and 4 stages on Sunday. They will run 356km special stages and 850km with roadsection through out the weekend.

Leg 1 - 1. desember 2006

Leg 2 - 2. desember 2006

Leg 3 - 3. desember 2006

 

http://www.pettersolberg.no/

http://www.wrc.com/

http://www.swrt.com/

http://www.walesrallygb.com/

 

 

Just a few days home before I’m off again. My mother (Tove) has spent some days with us now, and yesterday we were out celebrating her birthday at “Cafe de Paris”. A very high class restaurant, but I actually had hamburger with mashed potatoes. Joining us for lunch were my two pilots David and John Ã…ke.

I’m in Wales now, testing out for next years car, and for the rally next week.

By the way, you are more than welcome to leave me a message as a comment on Petters corner!

See you,

Petter S

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Today I have experienced the wonder of modern technology; A Videophone! With over 300 days away from home during the year, I will try to use this for my private calls. It is great to be able to see eachother on the screen while talking, and not only hearing their voices.

But, spending all my time rallying around the world, makes it hard for me to maintain contact with my personal sponsors and partners. So - today I invited them all for a videophone-meeting in Oslo. I was in my livingroom in Monte Carlo, drinking coffee, and my guests where invited for lunch in Oslo. We started a bit slowly, but after a few minutes it was like I was sitting beside them.

One of the things we were discussing was Rally Norway. I will not share all the details with you yet, but keep checking my new webiste, I will keep you all informed about the details.

This week the Norwegian Cancer Society launches their Men and Cancer-campaign, with focus on men over 40 years. Petter is supporting the campaign, and he encourage all of you guys out there to look for early symptons of cancer, and to take them seriously.

The campaign spokesperson is “Steinar”, he is a norwegian guy, and he is teaching you all what symptons to look for, and when you should see a doctor. Unfortunately it is all in Norwegian, but yet - you should click on the banner and check him out. He is checking himself for symptoms in a very humorous way. And I’m sure you will understand what he is checking for- even though you cannot understand what he says.

Click on the banner with “Steinar” on the frontpage or follow the link www.mennogkreft.no

Hi there - and welcome to my new website!

For a while now “my girls” in Norway, Tone and Noomi, and one of my sponsors - Momentum, has been working really hard making a new webiste.

I think the new site contains a lot of great stuff, but more “goodies” is on its way, so make sure to call back.

And I strongly hope that this site will be a place for all of you to take part in what is happening around the team, Phil and myself.

Best wishes

Petter

 

The final event of this season is GB Rally Wales, and starts friday 1. december 2006.