An impressive 3rd at Cyprus
- This is unbelievable! I cannot describe the feeling I had when I was standing on the podium today. I mean, third place with a private team in a private car! The guys in the team are so good, they have been working flat out to get the car ready for the rally, and of course during the rally. They all are amazing. And also a big thanks you to all my sponsors and Citroen. Notting of this would be possible without you!
After a thrilling weekend, Petter and Phil could drive up on the podium to receive their 3rd place award at Cyprus. It all started with some good splits on Friday, and continued with two knock-out stage wins on Saturday afternoon. They started Sunday in fourth position, but already on the first stage they passed Sordo on the final classification and came third. The last time someone made it to the podium as a privateer with his own car, was when Malcolm Wilson did it in 1993.
The Petter Solberg World Rally Team was also honored with ”The Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award” for its good work at Cyprus.
The winner of Rally Cyprus is Sebastien Loeb, who today took his 50 WRC win. Mikko Hirvonen ended second. Henning Solberg had to retire from the rally on Friday, after a collision on the roadsection. He did compete under SuperRally regulations Saturday and Sunday.
Next event is Rally Portugal, 2. – 5. April 2009.
Overall classification Rally Cyprus 2009
1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +27,2
3. Petter, Citroen +1.49,4
4. Dani Sordo, Citroen +2.26,3
5. Matthew Wilson, Ford +6.41,0
6. Conrad Rautenbach, Citroen +11.11,9
7. Federico Villagra, Ford +13.18,5
8. Khalid Al Qassimi, Ford +19.54,9
Woo hoo! Well done Petter! Good to see you competitive again, your smiles are our smiles.
Aldri gi opp!
Regards,
Pete in England
Congratulations on 3rd place. It will go with ZENKAI next time
Wow Petter!!! It’s incredible!!! This is straordinary!!! The Real Hollywood is returns! You,Phil and all the team are fantastic. I want a victory now! I hope soon…Congratulations
Dany from Rigosa,Italy!
Congratulations Petter and Phil! Just goes to show that even without the SWRT you guys are still a force to be reckoned with! We really hope to see you in more WRC events to come!
-Aaron & All of DirtyImpreza.com
Jeg visste det. Har hatt troen hele tia at du kom deg på pallen igjen. Keep up the good work!
!!!Congrtulations!!!
Petter & Phill you are the best!!!
You are doing all possible: you have good concentration, good driving in this different and difficult conditions. Respect!!!
Please, try to save such progress on next rally.
I know fighting for the podium wont be easy. Gronholm is back and if Latvala wont be missing they manage to still the podium in Portugal.
The main thing for you try to be realistic. To show all people your stability crossing the finish line without any probems. Proving that trables was Subaru not YOU..
Then find more sponsors and then you can choose your car which can be much better and competetive not only for podium, because you can figting for the win..
Wish You all the best!!!
highlight of the season so far……well done pswrt for a fantastic performance
10/10 rally fans salute you
Amazing drive petter a huge congradulations to pswrt,it just shows that you should never gve up
well done petter and phil hope you have as good of a drive next time.I know that you can catch miko and loeb
go on petter!!!!!!!!
grandes los dos petter y phill, son unos grosos en argentina ganas vos petter, hay olor a bosta de loeb
Congratulations Petter Solberg World Rally Team!
I’m very very HAPPY!!