Norsk-svenske Oliver Solberg viste et godt tempo i New England Forest Rally i USA. Les pressemelding på engelsk her:
Oliver Solberg couldn’t have done more to win the New England Forest Rally. Driving Subaru Motorsports USA’s WRX STI, he dominated the timesheets and won 10 of 13 stages. He was second fastest on the opener.
But… a puncture and a delamination on the other two stages cost Oliver and co-driver Denis Giraudet more than 10 minutes and left them fifth overall.
The first tyre problem came on the third stage and dropped him to 24th overall. From then on, Oliver knew his hopes of backing up his Olympus Rally win from earlier in the year were finished.
“That problem destroyed the rally,” said the 17-year-old. “From then on it was about keeping the concentration and maintaining a good driving rhythm.
“This is the sport, sometimes these things happen and it’s really important to be able to react to that situation, keep cool and drive. Of course it’s frustrating and all the time I want to do the best I can to make the best result for Subaru and for the team. But this wasn’t possible this time.
“You have to look at what is possible and achieve that – I think we did that with the fastest times.”
The rally was won by Oliver’s team-mate David Higgins.
For Oliver, New England brings a three-week road trip to a close.
“It’s quite nice to be going home now,” said Oliver, “but if I had the chance I would start this all again!”
Oliver’s 16-day festival of fever:
July 4-7 Goodwood Festival of Speed, 3rd in Final Shootout (DS 3 Supercar)
July 13-14 Rally Estonia, 1st in class 7th o/a (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)
July 19/20 New England Forest Rally 5th (Subaru WRX STI)
“The last three weeks has been a bit of a dream,” said the 17-year-old. “Goodwood is something I will not forget for a very long time – so many heroes and such a fantastic moment to race against my Dad. And Estonia was the same, just unbelievable – to go there and win the R5 class by a minute and a half was something very special for me.
“OK, New England didn’t give us the result we wanted. But these roads are so fantastic, so wide, so fast and it’s an amazing place to drive an amazing car. I don’t forget this one. Congratulations to David [Higgins] and Craig [Drew] for their win.”
Oliver on losing his Norges Råeste Bakkeløp record to his Dad:
“It’s been a bit strange not having my father here with me, he’s been in Norway trying to beat my record at Norges Råeste Bakkeløp. My Mum [Pernilla] was telling me between stages how he was getting on – it’s been a really cool time over there for him.
“He’s set a really good record and definitely he’s given me something to go back there and fight for. But, don’t forget, he had a faster car than me!”
Rally detail
New England Forest Rally
Start: July 19
Finish: July 20
Based: Newry, Maine
Surface: gravel
Stages: 13
Fastest times: 10
Result: 5th