Petter with podium in Monte-Carlo

Petter and Chris third in Rallye Monte-Carlo.

After 5 days and 433 competitive kilometres, Petter and Chris today drove in to their first podium with Ford. Sebastien Loeb is the winner, while Dani Sordo ended second.

Rallye Monte-Carlo is Petters first event together with Ford, and with only two days of testing prior to the event, he is very happy with the result.

- This is just fantastic, says Petter. – I just love driving this car, it is unbelievably fast, and they say it is even faster on snow and gravel! It is so easy getting into rhythm with the car, and then the rest is just fun! Can’t wait to do Sweden next!

A total of 18 stages have been completed, with Petter and Chris setting the fastest time through four of them.

Next event is Rally Sweden, 10 – 12 February.

Overall classification Rallye Monte-Carlo
1. Loeb, Citroën
2. Sordo, Mini +2.45,5
3. Petter, Ford +3.14,2
4. Hirvonen, Citroën +4.06,8
5. Novikov, Ford +6.03,0

Day 4 – Rallye Monte-Carlo

We have finished day 4 of the 2012 Rallye Monte-Carlo, and only one more day and one more stage to go. 4 stages have been completed today, with Petter and Chris setting the fastest time through 3 of them.

Petter and Chris are still third in the overall classification. Loeb is still in the lead and Dani Sordo second.

- Today has been absolutely fantastic, says Petter Solberg. – The car is amazing and it is so easy to get the rhythm and the feeling with it. I so enjoy driving it and also enjoy the rally itself.

Only one more stage to go on Sunday before the rally is finished. The Power stage starts at 10:08.

Overall classification day 4
1. Loeb
2. Sordo +2.41,6
3. Petter +3.00,7
4. Hirvonen +4.05,6
5. Novikov +6.00,8
6. Delecour +6.55,7

Rallye Monte-Carlo day 3

Day 3 of the classic Rallye Monte-Carlo is finished, and Petter and Chris are still holding third position in the overall classification. Loeb is leading, while Sordo is still second. Three stages have been run today.

Petter set the fastest time through the days opening stage, but a wrong tyre-choice caused him to drop down on the second stage. He had a puncture on the final stage, still he remained to keep the third position.

All cars are now heading down from Valence to Monaco, where the new service-park will be set up. Rallye Monte-Carlo continues with 4 stages on Saturday. First stage starts at 15:11.

Overall classification day 3
1. Loeb
2. Sordo +2.12,4
3. Petter +3.19,2
4. Hirvonen +3.43,0
5. Novikov +4.28,2
6. Delecour +6.39,1

Rallye Monte-Carlo day 2

An exciting battle for seconds sums up the action for Petter and Chris after the second day of Rally Monte-Carlo is finished.

Like yesterday, they are still third in the overall classification, but only 3 seconds adrift of Sordo who is second. Sebastien Loeb is still leading the event. Petter and Chris has been fighting with Sordo for second position overall through out the day, and they swopped places 4 times. Ogier, who runs in a S200 car, retired on the final stage.

Only three stages on the itinerary for the third day, but it includes a very long road section as the event moves from Valence to the harbour in Monte-Carlo during the day. First car starts on the first stage at 08:44 Friday morning, and the first car is expected to arrive the new servicepark in Monte-Carlo at 19:59.

Overall classification day 2
1. Loeb
2. Sordo +1.37,2
3. Petter +1.40,9
4. Hirvonen +3.40,4
5. Novikov +3.51,5
6. Delecour +5.19,9

Live times at www.rallyliveresults.com.

Listen in on www.worldrallyradio.com

Rallye Monte-Carlo day 1

First day of Rallye Monte-Carlo is completed, with Petter and Chris in third place in the overall classification. Sebastien Loeb is leading the event, while Dani Sordo is second.

- It has been a great day, says Petter Solberg. – I’m so happy about the car, but feel really sorry for Jari-Matti right now. It’s too bad he went off. I will continue to push hard for the next days, and hopefully make the correct tyre choice!

Jari-Matti Latvala went of on SS4 today. As there are no SuperRally options, he was forced to retire.

Rallye Monte-Carlo continues with 6 stages Thursday, first car is on the road from 09:33.

Overall classification day 1
1. Loeb
2. Sordo +1.04,2
3. Petter +1.05,2
4. Ogier +2.21,0
5. Novikov +2.26,5
6. Hirvonen +2.30,0

For live timing; www.rallyliveresults.com

Ford targets Monte-Carlo podium to kick title challenge into gear

Just 65 days after ending the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship with victory in Britain, a new-look Ford World Rally Team begins its 2012 campaign next week on the most famous rally of all. After a three-year absence, the classic Rallye Monte-Carlo (17 – 22 January) returns to the series to provide the Ford squad with what could be the most unpredictable fixture of the 13-round campaign.

Much is new in the Blue Oval squad. The team has a new identity and its Fiesta RS World Rally Car, which locked out the podium places on that final round in Britain last November, carries a striking new livery. Lead drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila are joined by former world champion Petter Solberg and co-driver Chris Patterson, who bring a wealth of experience to the Ford line-up.

Rallye Monte-Carlo breaks the mould for modern WRC events with a format that turns the clock back more than 15 years. It offers five days of competition covering more than 433km, and is the longest WRC event since Kenya’s Safari Rally in 2002.

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WRC 2012

The 2012 WRC season is just about to start, and 13 events are on the calendar. It all kicks off with Rallye Monte-Carlo 19 – 22 January. Petter Solberg and Chris Patterson will compete all events in a Ford Fiesta RS World Rally Car for Ford World Rally Team.

2012 calendar
19-22/01 Rallye Monte-Carlo
09-12/02 Rally SWEDEN
08–11/03 Rally MEXICO
29/03-01/04 Rally PORTUGAL
27-29/04 Rally ARGENTINA
25-27/05 Rally ACROPOLIS
22-24/06 Rally NEW ZEALAND
02-05/08 Rally FINLAND
24-26/08 Rally GERMANY
13-16/09 Rally GREAT BRITAIN
04-07/10 Rally de FRANCE
18-21/10 Rally ITALY
08-11/11 Rally SPAIN

Petter in a Ford in 2012

Ford extends World Rally Championship participation with new two-year agreement with M-Sport

• Ford of Europe continues its World Rally Championship programme for 2012 and 2013

• Company signs new two-year agreement with British-based M-Sport, Ford’s long-term rally partner

• Jari-Matti Latvala confirmed as lead driver in Fiesta RS World Rally Car

• Former world champion Petter Solberg joins the team as second driver.

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Petter wins in Bologna

Petter Solberg won the Memorial Bettega rally at Bologna Motorshow today. Italian Andrea Dovizioso came second and Kris Meeke third. Jari-Matti Latvala ended fourth.

- I’m so happy with the victory, says Petter Solberg. – Bologna Motorshow is a great event, so I’m especially happy with a win here. It’s been two good days, with a lot of excitement and thrilling duels, so it feels extra good to be the winner.

A total of 8 cars was entered for the Memorial Bettega rally, which started with qualifying heats yesterday and ended in an exciting final Sunday. The Memorial Bettega nightsprint were done Saturday evening. Petter ended second in the nightsprint, which was won by Kris Meeke.

Night sprint

Came second at the night sprint in Bologna tonight. Kris Meeke won and Jari-Matti Latvala came third.

The Memorial Bettega continues tomorrow, Petter is joint leader with Latvala in his group. Meeke is leading the other group.