After Subaru decided to suddenly withdraw from the World Rally Championship, it took only a little more than a month for Petter Solberg to assemble his very own WRC team.

The original Solberg energy was there for all to see and experience when he proudly introduced his team and new Citroen Xsara WRC in his home town of Spydeberg in Norway.

"This is a dream come true. I have wanted to put together my own WRC team for a long time, but I must admit I had not planned for it to happen in exactly these circumstances or in this timeframe," he said with a grin.

"But we are ready now and I am looking forward to this weekend's test and Rally Norway," he added with a smile.

Not even two months have passed since Subaru announced its immediate withdrawal from its World Rally Championship activities, leaving Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills effectively without a contract for 2009.

Petter Solberg's wife Pernilla has been actively involved in putting the team together ever since the situation changed.

"I promise you Petter did not just sit down and complain or feel sorry for himself," she insisted.
"He was on the phone at once, talking to people all over Europe and he was not discouraged in any way by the thought of trying to make meetings and deals happen right in the middle of the Christmas and New Year holiday period."

Solberg has brought together a team of extremely capable staff, including former Subaru World Rally Team logistics manager Ken Reese who now assumes the role of team boss for the Petter Solberg World Rally Team.

Francois Xavier Demaison takes mechnical and technical responsibility for the car. The Frenchman, who has worked for Peugeot, brings with him three mechanics, also from France, along with Norwegian Tore Dahl and Sven Inge Neby from Sweden. Dahl worked for SWRT previously while Neby is known for his work with the Walfridsson family's various projects.

Karine Vassant from France and British Charles Hodge are the engineers, completing the PSWRT technical team. All the little details have been covered, as Solberg also brought in Lorraine Glaister who had been responsible for the Subaru team's hospitality and catering for several years.

In regards to his targets for the coming season with his new Citroen, Solberg said that he wanted "to make some noise at the top."

Source: http://www.rally-live.com/en/headlines/ ... 0554.shtml

I hope he can get a podium finish .

is the Xsara quick enough?

I think it is plus there are some ex factory engineers on the team . Loeb did it in 2006 with a privateer team , duval was leading at the end of day one during 2007 rallye Germany . With a driver like petter you may never know.

Let's hope he can prove a point that he still can beat the best.

gr8 goin Petter running overall 4th in his newly built Xsara @ cyprus kudus to him.....

Norwegian Petter Solberg has finally got his hands on a set of mechanical upgrades he hopes will boost the competitiveness of his Xsara WRC.

Since the last rally in Argentina, Petter’s privately owned Xsara - which is run in co-operation with Citroen Sport - has been completely stripped and rebuilt.

The car’s bodyshell - originally made in 2001 - has been swapped for a newer version and the car has been reassembled to a 2006 specification, giving it a bigger intercooler, revised engine cooling ducts and the mechanical front and rear differentials Solberg has been trying to get hold of since February.

Petter said he hopes the revised car will be better suited to the tough and hot conditions in Sardinia - an event he won with Subaru in 2004. Solberg first drove his overhauled car at a test in Sardinia on Monday.

“I am very pleased with the cooperation with Citroen,” said Solberg. “And I think this upgrade gives us a more competitive car. We will do this rally now, and then see how it goes before we decide anything regarding the future. This season has been unbelievable, and together with my fantastic team I think we have only seen the start of it!”

No wonder he is still the best....Go Petter gooooooooooo

Petter Solberg ended the opening day in fourth place in his privateer Citroen.

Petter in new C4 on asphalt

http://www.pettersolberg.com/html/2009/ ... etters-c4/

hmmm...little too late dont you think?