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Petter confirmed for next two rallies184 dagen geleden
 
Petter Solberg has confirmed he will tackle the next two rounds of the World Rally Championship in his Citroen Xsara WRC, but will test a new car next week.

Solberg clinched the final sponsor needed for him to continue in the WRC last week, when he revealed a new livery for the Xsara including the logos of oil firm Shell.

Despite that deal, the 2003 world champion says he is still not certain to be seen on every one of the six remaining rounds of the championship. Australia and Catalunya are the events he could miss.

"It's very good news to get the extra sponsor confirmed," Solberg told AUTOSPORT. "We will continue to see what happens with the car. We have some new ideas for Greece, but I will also test something else after that rally.

"I can say I will be in the car [Citroen Xsara WRC] for the next two events and we'll see after that. If the test with the other car goes well, then we'll use it in Finland."

Solberg pointed out that shipping costs were the chief reason for potentially skipping Rally Australia's return to the WRC calendar.

"Australia is an expensive rally, but nothing is decided yet," he said. "Spain is the other possible one to miss, because it's asphalt and you need more for an asphalt rally, but let's see. Everything can still happen, but we'll test the car next week and take it from there.

"The good thing is that we're in Greece and we're going to be out a lot more for the rest of the season - but I still want to be fighting at the front."

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PSWRT gets SHELL sponsorship.188 dagen geleden
 
Petter Solberg has announced a sponsorship deal with oil giant Shell for the rest of the season and 2010 as well.

The deal will commence from the Acropolis Rally onwards and should enable Solberg to contest the remaining WRC rounds this year.

The Shell sponsorship though, could effectively rule Solberg out of the chance to drive for any of the current manufacturer teams in the near future, due to a likely conflict of interests between rival oil companies, with BP backing the Ford teams and Total sponsoring the Citroen ones.

There is still no announcement yet as to whether Solberg will change the Citroen Xsara WRC in the immediate future, though the backing of Shell could open up the possibility of obtaining a more competitive machine.

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Petter considering car change198 dagen geleden
 
After scoring his second podium finish of the year on Rally d’Italia, Petter Solberg is once again considering a car swap ahead of the next round in Greece.

The rally in Sardinia was Petter’s first in his upgraded 2006-specification Xsara WRC, and although he said it performed better than the active differential car he has campaigned so far this season, the Norwegian is still after a car with true podium potential.

Solberg completed the rally route in fourth place but was later promoted to third place when Sebastien Loeb was given a two-minute penalty for breaking safety belt regulations. “We were leaving the Service Park for the finish ceremony in Porto Cervo when we were told about the penalty,” said Petter.

“It was good event for me and for the whole team. We have been fast many times, and third place makes up for the one we lost in Argentina. Too bad for Loeb, but there is nothing I can do about that.

“We had a good fight with Sebastien. When I woke up on Sunday morning, I was ready and it was good to be fighting again. We had good first two stages, then we had a problem with the steering after service. I fixed it after the first stage and then we were on the limit on the last two. There was nothing more we could do.”

One thing his could do is get a quicker car. And ahead of another hot rally in Greece next month, Solberg admitted he was still considering this option - with a Peugeot 307 the most likely replacement.

Petter said: "I feel stuck in the corner. I have done a few rallies now and I know where I am. We are going to have this question, me and Phil, and see what we can do for the next rally. It will be the same temperature on the next rally, we have to really think - I don’t want to waste time. I’m having a lot of fun, but now we have to sit down and analyse. I know it’s not possible to push harder in the warm temperatures. I still have a little bit to go

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Petter gets a Podium!199 dagen geleden
 
The final day of Rally Sardinia started off as a thriller, but ended with pure joy. After a real fight with Sebastien Loeb on the Sunday stages, Petter made it to the podium and Loeb ended 4th. Petter started the day with 2,2 seconds lead on Loeb, and had a 2,3 seconds lead after the morning loop of stages. - This is proper rally, you know, Petter said when he arrived in the servicepark for the midday service. To be able to fight and push for good times in this way, this is what rally really is about. I have enjoyed every second of it.

On the final three stages, the battle kept on, but Loeb finally managed to pass Petter on the overall classification. - We can push real hard when the temperature is not so high, but when we came back after service, it was a lot warmer on the stages and we lost a lot of power and were not able to push as hard as we wanted to. But I can promise you, we were constantly on the limit, chasing for seconds.

When leaving the servicepark for the official finish ceremony in Porto Cervo, we were told by the stewards that Loeb got two minutes penalty with regard to his puncture on Saturday. After Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena had changed the tyre, inboard camera shows that Daniel Elena didn’t fasten his seat belt, according to the regulation.

- Rally Sardinia has been a good event for me and for the whole team. We have been fast many times, and today’s third makes up for the one we lost in Argentina. Too bad for Loeb, but there is nothing I can do about that.

Jari Matti Latvala won Rally Sardinia, with his team-mate Mikko Hirvonen on second place. Next event is the Acropolis Rally in Greece, 12 - 14 June.

Overall classification, Rally Sardinia 2009

1. Jari Matti Latvala, Ford
2. Mikko Hirvonen, Ford +29,4
3. Petter, Citroen +1.57,6
4. Sebastien Loeb, Citroen +3.43,7
5. Evgeny Novikov, Citroen +5.11,8
6. Matthew Wilson, Ford +7.29,3
7. Mads Østberg, Subaru +13.20,6
8. Henning, Ford +13.21,2

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Petter up to 3rd...just!200 dagen geleden
 
Latvala kept his lead, although it is now down to 9 seconds. Hirvonen closed the gap throughout the day to finish 2nd after Day 2. The main challenger, Loeb, lost one minute on SS11 due to a puncture, however this was the best it could possibly have been because a puncture normally takes at least 2 minutes to sort out.

Petter Solberg ended Saturday’s competition third overall in his 2006 spec Citroen Xsara, 1min 02sec behind Hirvonen. But if the Norwegian is to hold the position to the end he’ll have to keep Sebastien Loeb behind. And with the gap between them just 2.2sec, Petter isn’t counting his chickens. “It’s been a good day for me, but Sebastien will be on a big attack now so it will be difficult,” he acknowledged.

After an incident packed afternoon, the last stage of the day brought one final WRC casualty. Adapta Subaru Mads Ostberg retired his car 1.5km before the finish line. Earlier, Henning Solberg, Rautenbach and Ogier all retired, while Dani Sordo lost about 5 minutes in the last two stages due to turbo problems.

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Petter stays 4th...201 dagen geleden
 
...but tactics mean he's in easy touching distance of 2nd!

The first day at Sardinia is complete and Petter is 4th overall, only 4 seconds behind Loeb who is third. Latvala is leading the rally and his team-mate Hirvonen is second.

- I am quite happy with the day. We lost some time with a overheating on the first stage, and we also had a stall at the second run through the same stage. And at the end of day, we managed to keep the 4th. Tomorrow is a new day, I know that a couple of the stages will be a real challenge, and we will not settle for less than the podium.

Rally Sardinia continues with 6 more stages tomorrow. First car will be on the stage at 0845hrs.

Overall classification - day 1 Rally Sardinia

1. Jari-Matti LATVALA 1:24:14.5
2. Mikko HIRVONEN +39.8
3. Sébastien LOEB +42.8
4. Petter SOLBERG +46.4
5. Evgeny NOVIKOV +1:04.7
6. Henning SOLBERG +1:08.2
7. Mads ÖSTBERG +1:16.6
8. Dani SORDO +1:37.3
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Petter 4th after first loop202 dagen geleden
 
Good run for Petter so far. Overheating engine on SS1. Good times on SS2 and SS3. Within reach of 1st and encouraging road position.

Times after Stage 3:

1. Jari-Matti LATVALA 42:40.2
+0.0
2. Sébastien LOEB 42:54.8
+14.6
3. Mikko HIRVONEN 42:58.5
+18.3
4. Petter SOLBERG 43:01.4
+21.2

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Pirelli Blog from wrc.com202 dagen geleden
 
Blog one: Thursday 21 May. 1800hrs.

Did you know that James Bond returned to Sardinia today? I’ve just done a photo shoot for the organisers at the same location were they did the movie “The spy who loved me”. They dressed me up in a black tuxedo, gave me a gun and offered me a dry martini - shaken not stirred. And you know me - I loved every part of it.

I flew directly to Sardinia from Nice on Sunday, and for me the trip took only about 60 minutes. Unfortunately my luggage was not that lucky. After travelling around the world for five days, it showed up today. My team-mates were applauding when it finally arrived - I’ve being borrowing clothes from them all week. Actually I was quite happy about not having any clothes, as I found [team chef] Lorraine’s underwear very comfortable!

Well, back to what we are really here for - rallying. The week started with a test on Monday. With a brand new, old, car, we actually had a lot of work to do. The major difference from the old car is that we now have a bigger intercooler, and we have mechanical diffs. Then we had two days with recce, and since 50% of the stages are different compared to last year, we had a lot do.

But that’s not all, since I’m running my own team now; I also have to do some work at the Service Park. Floors need to be washed, new logos have to be put on both the rally car and our trailer, and guests have to be served. I’m not complaining, believe me, I enjoy every part of it.

Anyway, Sardinia is a great place to be, and the scenery some places is stunning. But the stages are really, really rough in some places, and it will be quite a challenge for our new car. Hopefully she will handle it.

I’ll report back later to let you know how we’re getting on.
Petter.

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Petter 3rd in Sardinia Shakedown203 dagen geleden
 
Petter ended with the third fastest time on today’s Shakedown in Sardinia. After 4 runs through the 3,75km long stage, Petter returned happy back to the servicepark in Olbia. -

"There is quite a difference between this car, and the old one. For sure, this is still an old car, but it’s more upgraded. We also have mechanical diffs now, and I think that suits this car better."

Rally Sardinia starts Friday morning. First car is on the road at 0932hrs.

Shakedown times

1. Loeb 3.15,0
2. Henning 3.16,1
3. Petter 3.18,2
4. Sordo 3.18,9
5. Hirvonen 3.19,4
6. Latvala 3.19,4
7. Wilson 3.20,5
8. Østberg 3.22,4

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Rally Sardinia Preview203 dagen geleden
 
This weekend we are ready for the 6th event on the 2009 calendar. We have moved from Argentina to the beautiful Italian island Sardinia in the Mediterranean.

- Sardinia is a rally I like quite well. The stages are twisty, narrow and sandy, and some of them are quite fast. It will be exciting to see how the Xsara will be with the new 2006 spec. Hot temperature will also be challenge, as the weather forecast says it could be as hot as 30 degrees Celsius, Petter says.

Servicepark and Headquarter is based at the port of Olbia, and the stages are in the mountains surrounding the city. Petter and Phil won this event in 2004, while Sebastien Loeb won in 2008.

After Rally Argentina Petter spent a few days in Dubai with his family, . He also did some PR work for his sponsors in Norway.

60 cars are on the entry list for Rally Sardinia, which starts Friday 22. May.

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