PSRX lead driver Petter Solberg is setting records in the first season of the FIA World Rallycross Championship by becoming the first driver to win three events in a World RX and he is enjoying every moment.
In the 2013 FIA European Rallycross Championship, Solberg was one of the fastest drivers in the field, however bad luck or mechanical reliability robbed him of an event win. This year, Solberg has taken three wins and leads the Drivers Championship from Reinis Nitiss by 28 points as the series moves to Round Nine in two weeks time.
At Loheac in France last weekend, Solberg continued his front running pace by taking a race win in Heat One, following that up with 2nd place in Heat Two saw the 2003 WRC Champion in 2nd place after Day One. Day Two saw Solberg improve with 2nd place in his Heat Three race and 3rd in his Heat Four race meant he would progress to the Semi-Finals. Winning Semi-Final Two put Petter on Pole for the Supercar Final which he went on to win.
Solberg spoke of how much hard work was needed over the World RX weekend in France by himself and his team, “We started Saturday without a perfect car, but my mechanics did a lot of changes overnight. As usual, these guys were the best around and didn’t switch off the lights in the workshop until one in the morning. But by then, they had transformed the car for me.
On Sunday, I had speed, traction and stability in the semi-finals. Not only did that give me confidence, it also gave me performance and the chance to save our tyres. Ultimately, it gave me the chance to dominate the final from pole position. The final was quite straightforward for me, but the celebrations are never straightforward, I am so happy!
I came close to winning here last year, so to finish the job is perfect. It was also a good way for me to finish with a new lap record, that one was for the team – my mechanics helped me so much again. I couldn’t have done this without them.
Despite the joy of a third World RX win however, Solberg’s focus remains on the fight for the title.
“My strategy now is to continue being clever and collect world championship-winning points at each race. There’s still a long way to go – and a 28-point lead isn’t much if we should experience any kind of problem. But for now, I will enjoy the moment of another win and the enjoyment of extending my World RX lead.”
There was further joy during the weekend for Petter as his son Oliver won the Swedish Crosskart Championship on Saturday. “Knowing that Oliver had won the championship was such an incredible motivation for me at my race,” said Petter. “I’m sure this will be the first of many for him and hopefully there will be more titles for PSRX to celebrate this year!”
