Another week and another win for Petter Solberg’s PSRX team. The Norwegian was in unstoppable form at Britain’s round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship today – taking his second victory from three races.
Solberg dominated the opening day of competition at Lydden Hill yesterday, winning both heats. He was even more impressive today, winning his semi-final and final to open up a 29-point lead at the top of the table. Petter’s victory was his seventh World RX win since the start of last season and his 13th podium in 16 races.
Solberg said: “To be honest, I was a bit lucky during the race. In the third heat we had a fuel pump issue, but luckily it happened three corners from the end. It could have gone much worse!
“And then, in the final, I had a puncture in the last corner. Hey, I have been unlucky for many years in rallying – so I guess it’s my turn here in World RX! One needs a bit of luck to be at the top in professional sports.
“Both in the semi-final and the final, I had great starts and came out first so I could control the race at the front. After two laps, I got the information that I lost some tenths, so I had to start pushing to make sure I stayed ahead of Ekström. Out from the joker I was maybe a tenth in front, but the exit there is so muddy and slippery, so I had to push all I could to make it.
“I was actually a little bit over the limit there…
“After being second behind [Sebastien] Loeb for so many years in the WRC, I understand now that I must have grown up late when it comes to tactics. My team and I have had extreme focus on tactics for the last two seasons, and it pays off for sure. Ekström and Kristoffersson will be hard to beat, so even though we have 29 points lead in the championship, you can lose it easily in one weekend.
“My mechanics and I will go home and continue the hard work to get even more details in place. I’m so happy that I was able to give this win to my team and mechanics – several of them are English and had their families here to visit this weekend. They all deserve the success!”