Rally Argentina 2009
Petter Solberg retired from Rally Argentina, and got robbed at service.
- This was not what we came here for, Petter said when he returned back to service after the stop. We were third, and I intended to keep that position, but then we lost the fuel pressure. 5kms before the finish line it all stopped. No fuel pressure at all, and there was nothing we could do about it. We had no other choice than to retire.
The weekend started well for Petter and Phil, with a stage win on Friday. They had to tackle a few problems on Saturday, when they lost the boost and later a puncture and an overheating engine. But managed to be 4th at the end of day 2. Sunday started out good, but came to a sudden end when they lost the fuel pressure and had to retire.
Then, just as the team members were packing everything at the servicepark, someone stole Team Manager Ken Rees’ briefcase. With all the team documentation, plans, laptop, money, and passport. – What a day, Petter says. First we got ripped off from our third place, and then we got robbed. When you travel around the world like we do, the briefcase is your office and loosing that is a disaster. The money can be replaced, but can you imagine all the work hours that briefcase contained!
Sebastien Loeb won the rally, and Henning Solberg ended third. Mikko Hirvonen had to retire with engine problems on Saturday.
Petter is now going for a week’s holiday together with his family, before starting to prepare for Rally Italy Sardegna (21. – 24. May).
Overall classification Rally Argentina 2009
1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Dani Sordo, Citroen +1.13,1
3. Henning Solberg, Ford +4.04,1
4. Federico Villagra, Ford +5.59,7
5. Matthew Wilson, Ford +6.10,9
6. Jari-Matti Latvala, Ford +9.50,0
7. Al-Attiyah, Subaru +23.11,6
I am so sorry to here your suitcase was robbed – it must be awful after your disappointment of retiring. Although you should be very proud of your rally. You deserved a podium, and proved that you still have the speed so a manufacture should snap you up next year.
I hope you can relax next week on your holiday, and the suitcase is either recovered or easily dealt with and your plans and information restored.
All the best.
I´ve been keeping the ears close to the WRC radio this round, you started so good on friday – too bad the overheating and the punchture set you back a bit on saturday. But I was so happy to hear you crawl back to third – but then you too was struck by disaster.
Good luck with the preperations for the next round, you did show you got the speed to fight on the top even if you´re not on par with the horses, and if the old lady likes the beautiful Italy better – I really hope you can be on the podium again then!
One thing you will never loose, is your fans. That´s for sure.
By the way, you should make images like that one in this post available to purchase for prints or as prints. I´d love to have that on my office wall. And I doesn´t even like Citroens.
Nei fy fa……
Leste på TV2.no at politiet hadde gjennomsøking av bilene som forlot området i etterkant, så vi krysser fingrene for at iallefall laptopen og planene blir funnet igjen.
Pengene var jo synd, men pass og førerkort kan jo erstattes.
Men dritbra kjøring i helga!!!
Du viser nok en gang at Petter Solberg er i verdenseliten!
Kos deg på ferie(“,)
Pity the day ended sooner than expected for the PSWRT. Recharge and get ready to fight again in Italy!
Tomas
Oh no no no… Pity… the day for retire…
But be all right! I’m sure you will succeed in ITALY:-)
To PSWRT I wish you good luck:-)
Go GO Fight!
Mitsuo
sorry the weekend ended so badly for you guys, its terrible that someone would steal something so important to the team, gypsy! Have a good holiday with your family Petter, god knows you all deserve it!
Hello Dear Petter.
I am sorry for the bad news..Was a hard weekend, but you Never Give Up!!
We always support you. Keep smiling and fighting.
Have a nice holiday with family.
Good Luck in Italy.
GO-GO-GOOO Petter.
Gaby from Argentina.
Pick yourself up,
Dust yourself off,
And start all over again!
Easier said than done but you and the team have the strength to do it. Good luck in Italy.
Kate
Us rallyfans here in South Wales follow you and your team, and wish you a few troublefree rounds now, before you and Phil come here to clinch a local win (local for Phil). All of us here at The Ashgrove Inn, right next to Walters Arena look forward to seing you again!
We still have a couple of rooms free for Rally Wales (GB), but we ONLY want true rallyfans!
Synd at det skulle ende sån, du som kjørte så bra!!!
Tror nok at fabrikkførerne “vart skemt no ja”. når de ser hva du får til med en gammel bil! Stå på Petter jeg heier på deg for du ER
BEST!!!!!!!!!
Stor trøste klem fra Thomas 9 år
i’m so sorry petter, but you never give up, love so much, and very very good luck at italy, kisses from spain.
Sorry to hear of your troubles guys but NEVER GIVE UP!
The times and stage win from friday were pure class,its great to see the old Petter back.
Have a good holiday and all the best for Sardinia.
That’s a sad notice!
We very sorry Petter!, I just try to put this news on a newspaper from córdoba, I want to see this news on the newspapers in the next days. I hope that briefcase appear so you dont loose the information.
Have a nice week Petter…and sorry for the bad english!
And we always say: AGUANTE PETTER!
Sorry to hear about the briefcase. Its annoying to think that someone would do that and all that was of value was the money. I bet who ever took it wouldnt even know what else the stuff in it is. However, it was another also ran performance for the weekend. If you had of finished it would have been just pure luck that you got a podium.
Hi Petter,
I know that all of the PSWRT staffs have been working really hard. So I’m really sorry to hear about the briefcase.
Please relax with your family!
Have a nice holiday!
Again a message from south Wales! Its a terrible shame to hear about the robbery, had heard a rumour that you were looking at a focus could you clear it up for me please? Would be nice to see you on the heels of loeb you have the skills
Hey
I wish you good luck in ITALY
Its encouraging for me too see what you have done.So fast you have found a Team and you drive with an older car like the other driver and you have good results
I crossed fingers for you and hope you stay a long time in the WRC..
greeting from France
Maike
PS: Im copilot from my dad we drive an subaru legacy
Hi
I’m from Argentina and I’m terrible sorry to read you have been robben. I’m Ashamed.
On the other I was at the rally chearing for your on every pass. You and your team were the winners here!!!
You did the a great job team and there is always another fight!!!! your still my hero!!
Hello
Sorry about the car.But better luck in Itali
Why dont Citroen give you a C4 Wrc with 2009spec
just to make the competion more interesting.
Go Peter !!!
You did a great rally, bad luck in the final day.
Now, as Argentine feel shame for the stole, there are always some fool who makes us look bad to the other thousands who love the rally.
Sorry man.
Come to Italy with all!
unlucky petter and pswrt
great battle for the 3 days to be robbed so close to the finish
once again you drove the xsara to the limits!
have a nice holiday
oioioi hhffuuffhuff for en skremmende OG irriterende opplevelse. jeg hadde blitt småkvalm av og bli så forstyrret når man minst forventer det!Ja håper VIRKELIG du klarer og få slappe av idag,vennen!selv om rumpesprekken svir. hihihi! *måtte le*