See Petters exclusive video from the Subaru Impreza WRC 2008 launch in Greece. The video can be downloaded from both the html-page and flash-page. In the html-page, click on the play-button in the right section. In the flash-page, click on the play-button in the frontpage.
In the video you can see interviews with Petter and Phil, rallying and lot of other stuff from Greece.
Enjoy!
Sebastien Loeb drove in to his seventh victory in Germany, when he won the 2008 Rally Germany today. Dani Sordo came second, while Duval ended third. Hirvoenen came fourth and Petter ended fifth, his best in Germany ever.
Next event on the calendar is Rally New Zealand, 28. – 31. August.
Overall classification, Rally Germany 2008
1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen 3:26:19.7
2. Daniel Sordo, Citroen +47.7
3. François Duval, Ford +1:20.0
4. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +1:30.1
5. Petter Solberg, Subaru +2:35.3
6. Chris Atkinson, Subaru +4:45.9
7. Henning Solberg, Ford +5:36.2
8. Urmo Aava, Citroen +5:37.8
9. Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford +6:17.2
10. Toni Gardemeister, Suzuki +7:16.8
11. Andreas Mikkelsen, Ford +8:30.8
The second day of Rally Germany has come to an end and Sebastien Loeb are still leading the rally. Dani Sordo is second, while Duval has moved up to third. Mikko Hirvonen dropped down to fourth, and Petter climbed up to fifth overall.
Day 2 of Rally Germany started with a thriller-morning. Petter slid off the road and got stuck a bit on the first stage. He lost time, but still he managed to drive in to the 7th fastest time on stage 8. Sordo, who was third after day 1, was very fast on the stage and passed Hirvonen on the overall classification.
PG Andersson damaged a wheel when he hit a concrete kerb on SS8. As a result of that, he was 3 minutes late in to a time control and got 1minute and 50seconds penalty. Latvala drove into a hay bail on stage 9 and dropped down from 5th to 9th overall. On the final stage of the day, Hirvonen dropped down to fourth position due to a puncture. Petter drove in to third fastest time on the same stage, The Panzerplatte, and was quite happy with that. – It went quite well, not bad at all! That was Petters comment when he was at the time-control after the stage.
Sebastien Loeb, who has been fastest on all the stages except one so far in Rally Germany, said to Rally Radio after Stage 13 that he was going on reduced speed, to spare the engine, as they will be using the same engine both in Spain and Corsica. – Loeb and that car is an incredible match, you just have to take the hat off for him, Petter said when he crossed the finish line on the same stage.
Gigi Galli, who went off the road and into a three yesterday, will probably not be back behind the wheel in the WRC for the rest of the 2008 season. Galli broke his leg in the accident and will be kept in hospital in Germany for a few more days. There will be another six weeks before he can walk on the leg.
Rally Germany finishes Sunday with 5 stages. First car will be on stage at 0728.
Overall classification day 2, Rally Germany
1. Sébastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Daniel Sordo, Citroen +40.3
3. François Duval, Ford +1:44.3
4. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +1:48.2
5. Petter Solberg, Subaru +2:28.7
6. Chris Atkinson, Subaru +3:32.1
7. Henning Solberg, Ford +4:33.4
8. Urmo Aava, Citroen +4:57.1
Day 1 in Germany are over, and Petter is in 6th position overall. Sebastien Loeb has been fastest in every stage today, and is leading the rally overall. Mikko Hirvonen is second and Dani Sordo third.
As the only team today, SWRT chose send Petter and Chris out on the morning loop with hard compound tyre. SWRT later explained that this was just to be cautious, since this is the first rally on tarmac for the new car.
SS6 was cancelled due to too many spectators, in the wrong place. Three cars were sent through before the organiser chose to send the rest of the cars trough the stage in road pace. – Too bad for all the spectators that showed up to see the rally. But on the other hand, it is good for the sport to have a lot of spectators, but they need to stay in a safe place, Petter said when he crossed the time control on Stage 6.
Gigi Galli went off the road on a fast section on SS5, about 12 km after the start. The stage was stopped for a while, since rescue vehicles was needed. Both Galli and his codriver are well, but were taken to hospital for check up.
Another 8 stages are waiting for the drivers Saturday, first car is on stage 08.18.
Overall classification, day 1
1. Sébastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +19.9
3. Daniel Sordo, Citroen +25.6
4. François Duval, Ford +38.7
5. Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford +55.7
6. Petter Solberg, Subaru +1:03.9
7. Chris Atkinson, Subaru +1:34.0
8. Henning Solberg +1:36.2
Rally Germany has started. There are 6 stages on the first day, last stage starts at 1658. Mikko Hirvonen is first on the road; Petter will be car number six. The weather is good at the moment, but showers are expected.
Friday, 15. August
09:13 am SS1 Ruwertal / Fell 1 21.22 km
10:26 am SS2 Grafschaft Veldenz 1 23.04 km
11:19 am SS3 Moselland 1 9.82 km
12:34 pm Regrouping / Service in Trier
02:52 pm SS4 Ruwertal / Fell 2 21.22 km
04:05 pm SS5 Grafschaft Veldenz 2 23.04 km
04:58 pm SS6 Moselland 2 9.82 km
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Shakedown-times Germany
1. Sordo 3.31,1
2. Duval +4,4
3. Loeb +5,5
4. Hirvonen +5,7
5. Henning +6,1
6. Galli +7,1
7. Petter +7,7
8. Latvala +8,8
9. Atkinson +10,0
It’s rallyweek again, and we are heading to Germany and the 10th event on the 2008 calendar. It is the second asphalt-event this year, but the first for Petter and the brand new Impreza.
Rally Germany is based in the city of Trier, south in Germany and close to Luxembourg. 84 entrants are on the entrylist, only three of them being Norwegian. Petter and Henning, of course, and Andreas Mikkelsen. Mads Østberg decided to withdraw earlier this week, due to problems with the car. Duval is nominated together with Gigi Galli for Stobart.
Petters best result in Germany is 7th in 2007. Sebastien Loeb has won this event every year since 2002.
“Germany is a rally I like, but one I’ve had mixed experiences on. It’s fast, but it’s very unforgiving. We have done two days’ testing in the new car on asphalt, and Markko has done a few more days, so it’s relatively new for us but things so far are feeling good. We’ve been fast in Germany in the past so we will see what we can do there in the new car. It’s a new car on new tyres, so there will be a lot of learning for the team, but it’s important ahead of Spain and Corsica.”
Itinerary
Kazuko from Japan was one of the three winners that won Petters competition. She couldn’t go to Greece, so Petter invited her to Finland instead. Now she is back in Japan, and this is her Finland-report.
Wednesday 30 July
18:00 I arrived at Jyvaskyla airport. It took about 10hours by airplane from Tokyo to Jyvaskyla. PSSC staff, Tone, picked me up at the airport. I was relieved that she was very nice and kind. After I checked in to the hotel, I went to see her to go to dinner. She said, ”Petter comes here in a couple of minutes.” I was shocked since I hadn’t thought I could meet him on Wednesday! My heart started pounding! One minute later he appeared. He was really busy but he kindly talked to me in simple English slowly, and we took a picture together.
21:00 Tone took me to the service park next to Jyvaskyla station. It took only a few minutes from the hotel by walk. It’s 21:00 but not dark.
Day 1 Thursday 31 July
7:30 Shakedown. I went to the Subaru service park. I was surprised since I watched “Solberg 5” impreza just 2 meters away! How loud the exhaust noise was! I saw Petter again. He gave me autographs not only for me, but for Tokyo Subaru Jonan branch that was the shop I bought my Legacy. They always work very hard so I really wanted to get it for them. Petter was willing to give it in spite of just 30minutes before the shakedown. And he cared if I was enjoying this trip. And then, Tone introduced Phil to me. I gave him a love letter from Viki! I got to know her on this site in last October and now she is my best friend!
18:00 SSS Killeri 1. I left the hotel at 18:00. It took only 10minutes by car. There were a lot of spectators. I was jumping when Petter was driving, otherwise I saw only the back heads of tall Finnish. After Petter finished the stage, he opened the door and waved his hand to the spectators.
Re-start Day 1 Friday 1 August
11:47 SS5 Vellipohja 2. I enjoyed the scenary on the way to Vellipohja. A lot of lakes and beautiful forest….it was like a picture! I watched Petter turned the corner smoothly from the third row. It was very fun cheering him with Norwegian supporters! They asked me to bring the song to Rally Japan. “Petter Solberg♪Petter solberg♪ole♪ole♪♪ole♪Norge!” I must convince shy Japanese to sing that song!
14:00 I had lunch at the Subaru service park. It tasted wonderful!
14:57 Petter arrived the service park and waved his hand to the spectators.
15:27 Petter went out to SS8.
19:00 BBQ at the Subaru service park. I talked to Norwegian supporters and asked them how to pronounce some Norwegian. I had a really good time but one of them asked me, ”Do you eat a dog?” No way!
Day 2 Saturday 2 August
8:30 I left the hotel to Kakaristo. It was only 10 degrees! It’s just like November in Tokyo! On the way to Kakaristo, Tone took me to a gravel road that used to be SS. We talked about pace note. “jump” “big jump” We were just like Petter and Phil! Actually she drove the car at about 40km/h so we didn’t jump!
10:30 SS16 Kakaristo 1. There were a lot of spectators and shops. I talked to Finnish. They asked me, “Who is your favorite driver?” I answered immediately,”Petter Solberg!” The view was wonderful and wide. In the forest, I heard that the exhaust note was getting bigger, and the FIA course staffs whistled, then rally cars came in front of us and run incredibly fast. It’s so exciting! Petter had a trouble with his car but I know he always does his best!
14:10 Lunch at the Subaru service park. I looked at the screen that showed the present results.
14:38 Petter came back to the service park. He waved his hand to the spectators as always even though he was extremely busy.
15:08 Petter left the service park to SS19.
19:00 At the Subaru service park. I was surprised that as soon as he arrived there, the mechanics changed the engine and suspension only within 45minutes!
Day 3 Sunday 3 August
10:30 SS24 Ruuhimaki. It took only 30minutes from the hotel to the parking near SS24 then 10minutes by walk. I was in the first row at the last corner close to finish gate. It’s very dusty but I felt the power of the rally cars climbing the hill! I was really happy that Petter got the fastest time at this SS!
I had a wonderful time whole of this weekend. It’s absolutely VIP weekend! We parked the car in the restricted area with “magic” media pass and took a rest in the Subaru service park.
At the airport, I was a little upset because fantastic rally trip has ended. But my luck hadn’t run out! When I was waiting the airplane suddenly Petter appeared there! He found me and talked to me kindly. So I showed him the video that I recorded his driving at the last SS today and talked about a lot of things about 15minute in total! He is really nice, kind and always cares a lot about his fans.
Petter,
Thank you very much! You have really made my dream come true! I will never forget this wonderful trip! I’d like to say thank you in Norwegian. “Takk. Mange takk!” I keep supporting you as much as possible! See you in Rally Japan!
Tone,
You took care of me a lot and very well. And you put up with my bad English for 5days! Mange takk! I really appreciate your help!
Kazuko (Kazu from Japan)
Petter ended 6th in Finland, while team-colleague Chris Atkinson ended 3rd. The winner of Rally Finland 2008 is Sebastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen ended 2nd. Petters brother, Henning, ended 5th.
Petter has been in the same position through out the rally, but finished Rally Finland with a stage win on SS24 Ruuhimäki.
Overall Classification Rally Finland 2008
1. Sébastien Loeb, Citroen 0.0
2. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +9.0
3. Chris Atkinson, Subaru +3:17.0
4. Dani Sordo, Citroen +3:30.9
5. Henning Solberg, Ford +3:57.7
6. Petter Solberg, Subaru +4:04.1
7. Matti Rantanen, Ford +6:11.1
8. Toni Gardemeister, Suzuki +8:18.7
@Petter_Solberg #WRC CYPRUS 2009 Troodos Mountains http://t.co/9SVWI4tG
Junto a Petter Solberg... campeón mundial de rally! http://t.co/ajJ1B6AM
@Petter_Solberg Remember this ? #WRC CYPRUS 2009 , best holiday ever http://t.co/dvpLIpKr
Петтер Сольберг... http://t.co/BvWKosU6 #Все_про_Авто
RT "@damonf1: WRC Petter Solberg: Suecia y México serán determinantes: http://t.co/PKA2VVuH"
RT @damonf1: WRC Petter Solberg: Suecia y México serán determinantes: http://t.co/1f3b6OfL
WRC Petter Solberg: Suecia y México serán determinantes: http://t.co/1f3b6OfL
RT @starpainted: @Ingrridt Your English really isn't that bad. It could always be worse. What if your English was similar to Petter Solberg's. Ah, the shame.
#ff @kblock43 @Petter_Solberg @OfficialWRC @FordWRC @RallySportLive @KevinSchwantz
