Petter 4th in Portugal

  - The afternoon loop today was really good, and I’m quite happy with the performance this weekend. We knew it would be much tougher than Cyprus, but still I reckon we have done well. Both Citroen and Ford came to Portugal with improved motor and chassis, still we are fighting with them. We also got more damper-experience and this is good for Argentina. We are fourth, and that is not so bad, the three in front are manufacturer-teams, and we are the best privateer. Also, we are three Norwegians in the top six.

Petter ended fourth in Rally Portugal, and secured 5 points in Drivers Championship. Sebastien Loeb won the event, and Mikko Hirvonen ended second. Dani Sordo ended third, and Henning climbed up to fifth overall. Mads Østbergs rounds up the great Norwegian result with his 6th. Marcus Grønholm had an accident on Saturday and was forced to retire. Jari Matti Latvala rolled off the road on Friday, end retired.

Petter was next on the road after Marcus’ accident, and got caught in a lot of dust when passing him. The organiser adjusted his time with 11,7 seconds as a result of that. Dust has been a big issue this weekend, especially on Sunday. Earlier there was a little breeze blowing the dust away before the next car came through, but on Sunday there was no wind. As a result the organiser decided to run the cars with a 3 minutes gap between.

Quote Team Manager Ken Rees
“We came to Portugal, and it’s only our third event. It’s a different event than both Norway and Cyprus as it was faster and more crests and Petter had to learn without any testing. The event went well for us with a 100% reliability of the car and Petter driving both quickly and neatly. We achieved what we came for, which was a good result and points. At many stages we have had various minor technical problems with the car which cost us some time and possibly a place on the podium. At the end we achieved fourth overall, moving us a place up in the World Championship and this for a small private team is a great achievement. Looking ahead to Argentina, we are looking forward to this event as this is one that Petter likes. He has previously been competitive there, although then he was in full factory supported car. The conditions in Argentina can change rapidly from hard, dusty surface to very muddy, slippy conditions as the storms can come quickly and change the roads considerably. As a team we look forward to going and continue our assault on the world championship and come away with more valuable points.”

Next event is Rally Argentina, 23. – 26. April. Petter are flying in to Cordoba the weekend before, and will use the next two weeks to relax and get well from the two viruses he’s got.

Overall Classification Rally Portugal 2009

1. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen
2. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +24,3
3. Dani Sordo, Citroen +1.45,4
4. Petter Solberg, Citroen +2.44,6
5. Henning Solberg, Ford +5.46,3
6. Mads Østberg, Subaru +6.20,8
7. Federico Villagra, Ford +12.59,5
8. Khalid Al Qassimi, Ford +18.21,7

Rally Portugal day 2

The second day in Portugal is finished, and Petter is number four. Sebastien Loeb passed Mikko Hirvonen on the overall classification during the day, and is now in the lead. Hirvonen is second. Petters older brother, Henning, is in sixth position, but with only 1 second behind Matthew Wilson on fith.

Like yesterday, the day started with a bit of a drama on the first stage. Marcus Grønholm rolled on the stage, lost almost a minute and half, but managed to get going. However, Petter was just behind him at got caught in the dust. – I didn’t see anything because of all the dust, it felt like I was all over the road, Petter said after crossing the finish line. Marcus had to retire from day, and will not restart again tomorrow. Petter also lost some time when the wipers didn’t work after driving trough a watersplash.

Rally Portugal continues with 5 more stages tomorrow. Loeb will be first car on the road, and Petter is number four. First stage starts at 0750 local time.

Overall classification, day 2 Rally Portugal

1. Loeb, Citroen
2. Hirvonen, Ford +26,8
3. Sordo, Citroen +56,4
4. Petter, Citroen +1.59,6
5. Wilson, Ford +3.22,9
6. Henning, Ford +3.23,8
7. Novikov, Citroen +4.59,4
8. Østberg, Subaru +5.00,2

Half way day 2

Three of todays six stages are completed and Petter is fourth. Sebastien Loeb is now in the lead and has pushed Hirvonen down to second. Marcus Grønholm rolled on todays first stage, and had to retire.

- It’s not so bad today. I lost some time when I got caught behind Marcus, and also when the wipers didn’t work after a watersplash on the last stage. I’m pushing for third, it’s a long way I know, but anything is possible!

Overall classification, halw way day 2

1. Loeb
2. Hirvonen +6,9
3. Sordo +37,5
4. Petter +1.25,5
5. Wilson +2.12,2
6. Henning +2.33,2
7. Østberg +3.43,8
8. Novikov 3.45,3

Portugal – images

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shakedown Portugal

Petter ended with the second fastest time at shakedown in Portugal today. Jari-Mati Latvala was fastest on the 5,28km long test stage. Shakedown were stopped twice today, one stop was caused by Bernardo Sousa, who went off with his S2000 Fiat. Sousa’s codriver hurt his shoulder, and had to get medical help.Shakedown times

Latvala 3.08,1
Petter 3.08,2
Hirvonen 3.10,5
Wilson 3.11,9
Novikov 3.12,2
Henning 3.12,4
Loeb 3.13,1
Sordo 3.13,3
Villagra 3.13,7
Ogier 3.14,0

Before it starts – Portugal

On the Wednesday before the rally the car has to be approved by FIA and the local scrutineering. Today they all came to Petter Solberg World Rally Team to make sure everything is OK. The checked the car and also all spares, to make sure we only use parts according to the homologation. In the afternoon we take the car to the official scrutineering for the final approval. But not only the car need to be correct, we also have to bring drivers suits, helmets, shoes and underwear, everything needs to be according to FIA regulations. And, just to assure you all, everything were OK.

So, there is lots of work to be done here at the servicepark, when Petter and Phil are on the road for the recce. There are meetings and interviews and decisions to be made. Engineer Charles were interviewed by WRC.com about dampers today, you can see it on WRC.com soon.

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Ready for Rally Portugal

This week we are heading to Portugal, for the fourth event this year. Rally Portugal is Petters third rally this season, and he is looking forward to the weekend.

- Rally Portugal is a tough rally and it will be exciting to see how fast we can go here. We were fast in Cyprus, and with even more time with the car I hope we can set some good splits.

Rally Portugal was back on the calendar in 2007, for the first time since 2000. Sebastien Loeb won in 2007 and Petter ended second. A total of 18 gravel stages will be completed during the weekend, and it all starts with a super special at the Algarve Stadium Thursday afternoon. 75 entrants are on the entry list, one of them is Marcus Grønholm who will drive a Subaru for Prodrive this event.

After the podium at Cyprus two weeks ago, Petter flew directly home to Monte Carlo, and ended up in bed for the next week. A really tough stomach-virus knocked him out of business.

- I had a lot of things scheduled for that week; interviews, tv-shows and an event together with my main sponsor Johs Lunde. I had to cancel them all and stay in bed. Feeling a lot better now, and I hope to stay well for some time!

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