Rally Mexico

Next weekend we are ready for the seasons first gravelrally and round 4 of the 2006 championship in Mexico. Monte Carlo turned out to be a tarmac-rally, while Sweden and Norway were snowrallies. Petter leaves for Mexico on Saturday.

After having tested for three days in Spain, Petter is now on his way back home to his family. Team-colleague Chris arrived Spain today, and will continue with the testing until Friday. Petter said he was quite happy with the testresults and the new car. The actual car that will be used next weekend has already arrived in Mexico, but they will use all the testresults from this week to make sure they find the correct set up for the car. SWRT will present the new car Friday 3. March.

In 2005 Petter and Phil won Rally Mexico, and took 2nd place in 2005.

Tyrechange in WRC

FIA announced today that in 2008, 2009 and 2010 all four-wheel drive rally cars will compete with tyres from the same tyre supplier. Read more about this on FIA’s website

Driving Day

A ride with Petter in his rallycar, is not an invitation you get everyday. On Monday morning we were 20 pretty exciting codrivers waiting for this to happen. Some of us had won a competition, some were sponsors and some were invited guests. And we were all totally aware of what we were about to do. Getting dressed with a suitable overall, hood and a helmet that fits. Checking if breakfast is well digested, and carefully watching those who climbed out of the car. Still walking by themselves, with this blessed smile, and still with breakfast intact.

Finally it’s my turn. By the way, my number was well calculated. Not too early – Petter needs to know the stage well and he always goes faster after a few runs. It was quite a special moment when I sat there, in Phil’s chair, in the same rallycar used for Rally Norway, and Petters says on the intercom; “Are you ready?!”.

And it kicks off. It’s hard to describe how it was, but it was fast and bumpy, and awesome. The most spectacular thing I have ever done – and I would do anything to do it again. Anything! It was almost like we were not in a car, but inside a simulator, cutting corners. I thought making it through the corners would be nerve wrecking, but the car was set up beforehand and almost done with the corner and ready for the next one, before I realized we were in the curve. And suddenly we are done with the 4k’s. I asked Petter about the speed, and he says “just a little bit over 170 km/ph”. On a road built for not more than 50 km/ph.

Getting out of the car, one of the mechanics helps me with the helmet and asks how it was. I am still intoxicated by the ride and are not capable of thinking clearly, neither to stand with both feet on the ground, and the only words that goes through my mind are “fu….. he….”!

When it’s all over, we are separated into two groups up there. The ones that have done it, and the others that didn’t. In the done-it group, we are all standing there with the blessed smiles, thinking what will overcome this. What should we do next? Does anyone have a fighter plane, maybe a Hornet?!?

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Presseconference in Subaru Village

This evening Mr. Kåre Foss from Subaru Norway held a pressconferense introducing the Subarudrivers and the leaderboard in SWRT. At the same time it was the grand opening of the Subaru Village.

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