A good start for SWRT
The 2008 season’s first rally, Rally Monte Carlo, is completed, with a really good result for SWRT. Petter ended 5th, and his teamcollegue Chris Atkinson ended 3rd. This is Petters best result in Monte Carlo ever, and it is the second time Chris is on the podium. The good result puts Subaru in second position in the manufacturer championship, only 1 point behind Citroen. A brilliant start on the new season! Sebastien Loeb is the winner, while Mikko Hirvonen ended second.
49 crews were set to start the 76th Rally Monte Carlo. 19 specialstages and 365 competitive kilometres to drive on small and narrow tarmac-roads up in the mountains of Ardeche and the Col du Turini. Not much snow in Ardeche, but the famous Col du Turini gave the drivers quite a challenge with snow in the stages.
The rally started with two special stages on Thursday evening, and continued with 6 stages on Friday and 6 stages on Saturday. On Saturday evening the crews went by bus 400kms from Valence to Monaco, to finish the rally with 4 special stages in the mountains north of Nice. A superspecial in the lower part of the F1 circuit completed the weekend. And again we could follow a battle for seconds between Chris and this time, Duval. In 2007 Chris was fighting with Mikko Hirvonen.
Next event is Swedish Rally, 8. – 10. February.
Overall classification Rally Monte Carlo
1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford
3. Chris Atkinson, Subaru
4. Francois Duval, Stobart Ford
5. Petter Solberg, Subaru
6. Gigi Galli, Stobart Ford
7. Cuoq, Peugeot
8. PG Andersson, Suzuki
9. Henning Solberg, Stobart Ford
Hey guys, such a good first rally really means that the luck has finally changed for SWRT. The season has started well and its very exciting wondering what is to come the rest of the year.It was great watching you live on the superspecial Petter and you driving around hanging out of the car… How do you do that?? all systems go now for sweden in 2 weeks and hope you enjoy being at home tonight at the end of a rally instead of half way around the world somewhere.. Also thanks to Tone for the great reports here on the website this weekend… Well done and Good luck xxxxx
Great start for SWRT! Your personal best in Monte Carlo, Petter and Chris got his second podium. Keep this up until the new car comes and this will be a great season!
Hello Petter!
What a great start for you and the team! Your
best result ever in MC I´m so happy.Now let go to
sweden,soon you will be at the top !!
Gib Gas Petter!
I’m more positive now and so should you be Petter!
As it’s your best result in MC (well done!) that’s a couple of bonus points for you, and with Sweden and Mexico coming up that could be two podiums or even wins!
Just imagine if the new Impreza was availible for Sweden and Mexico – two of Petter’s best rallies, and possibly two wins.
Veldig bra start på sesongen Petter, dette skal bli moro og følge videre.
Også imponerende start av hele Subaru Teamet.
Med den nye bilen skal dette bli enda bedre…
Da er dere tilbake på 1.plass!!!
Lykke til i svergie, det blir moro.
Hello Petter!!
Congratulations for the great start for SWRT Team; and your best result in Monte Carlo.
Well done!! A really good job!!.
And good luck for the next seasons to coming!!
This is great go to sweden for the podium !!!!!!!
Gratulerer med 5. plassen.Det er gode poeng å ta med seg videre.Kjempebra med Chris. Bra for Subaru.
Kanon kul Petter.. Lycka till i Swedish Rally..
Well done Petter and Phil!
Congratulations on a great result in Monte Carlo – things are looking good for this season.
All the best for Rally Sweden.
Good start in Monte Carlo Petter & Phil!
Yes…you are ready for take Argentina podium in March!
I´m ready to support you us always with all my batteries chagued!
The best for rally Sweeden.
From Cordoba -Argentina- Rally Mom-
Hej Petter! Ja en bra start för Swrt! Jag hoppas att ni kan vara med i toppen senare också när den nye bilen kommer. Lycka till i Sverige nu, du prestrerade mycket bra förra året håll dig bara på vägen. Hälsningar Marcus från Sverige
Привет Всем из России!!!!!!!!!!