Motorsport: Solberg's eye on Master of Gravel

Petter Solberg says life's too short to hold back. Photo / Tony Welam

The last World Rally Championship winner who mastered the Master of Gravel, Sebastien Loeb, is in town and determined to win on Kiwi soil again. Petter Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills last won in New Zealand in 2004, were world champions in 2003, and he's back with a new team.

Petter Solberg World Rally Team is a private team run by Solberg. As well as the team's 15 core members it has many helpers who have contributed to its the success so far this year.

Solberg also has a car almost identical to six-time world champion Loeb's Citroen C4 and has proven he's still well on the pace. He's running in second, behind Loeb and ahead of Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen.

Superwheels caught up with Solberg at the driver signing on Sunday at the SkyCity Atrium - which, by the way, had fans queuing across the floor and out the door.

SW: How are you feeling about being back in New Zealand?

PS: "The rally car arrived early Sunday morning, and the team will do a pre-event test Monday. We have learned a lot about how to set up the car for a gravel rally, and I think the result in the three last events shows we are working in the right direction. Tomorrow is to make sure we know how the car needs to be on this specific rally. I really like it here in New Zealand ... this is one of my favourite rallies.

It's been a while since I won a rally but we have been very close recently to winning and fighting at the top."

SW: So, looking forward to getting on with the racing then?

PS: "This is the rally I have a chance to go for the big attack, as it's not so hard on the car. In Turkey I was backing off a little bit because in places it's too expensive to damage the car. But here in New Zealand are some of the most beautiful stages in the world so I'm going to go for it. Except for the first day when Loeb has to go first and is at a very big disadvantage - and so are we, going in second."

SW: Sebastien Loeb regards you as one of his threats as you've always been fast on New Zealand roads. But in 2008 the new Subaru didn't seem to be at its best, shall I say?

PS: "I have been fast every rally but it makes a big difference when you have a car that works compared with one not working. From 2000 up until 2005 the Subaru was very, very good in rallying. The years after that it was tough, I must say. But now we are back in business and very passionate about getting back to racing and trying really hard with all our hearts."

SW: How good a feeling is it to be a privateer, second in the championship and beating most of the works' teams?

PS: "I don't think it's popular with everyone but we are putting in a lot of effort. The happiness and the energy are pushing the limits and what the whole team is doing is quite unbelievable. Everybody is behind us and all our sponsors are with us and I'm not taking any salary. Everything goes towards the rally car. In fact I'm using my own money to show the sponsors and everyone else my commitment. I have been doing motorsport since 1982 and am not so good at anything else and there's not much point going to the grave with too much money. Life is too short, you have to just go for it."

SW: Although you're 40 points back from Loeb, it's a long season so anything can happen, can't it?

PS: "Exactly right. It only takes one race for Loeb to score no points and for us to win to close the gap. It can happen so quickly that things can turn around. I know Loeb is good but we have a good team behind us. I'm not panicking if I don't win the round. If it comes, it comes."

Loeb is the defending New Zealand round champion from 2008. The FIA rally commission decided it would alternate the event between New Zealand and Australia from last year, when the Aussies hosted the race.

It was recently announced New Zealand is not on the 2011 calendar of the FIA WRC and there is a risk it will not make it back on to any future calendars. This could be the last chance Kiwis get to see not only the best international dirt drivers, but one of the greatest ever to grace a gravel track, six-time world champion Loeb.

A total of 21 stages will be competed for during the weekend, covering 396.50km and there will be a remote service every day. The ceremonial start is at the Viaduct Harbour, Thursday at 6.30pm, followed by a super-special stage at the Auckland Domain, with racing proper starting at Waipu Gorge, 9.03am Friday. On Saturday the teams head south to Franklin and Hampton Downs and on Sunday the drivers contest the Whaanga Coast and Te Hutewai before finishing at the Viaduct at 3pm.

PETTER SOLBERG

World Rally Championship record

Nationality: Norwegian
Active years: 1998 - present
Teams: Ford, Subaru, Peter Solberg World Rally Team
Rallies: 152
Championships: 1 (2003)
Rally wins: 13
Podium finishes: 39
Stage wins: 343
Total points: 484
First rally: 1998 Swedish Rally
First win: 2002 Rally GB