A great weekend has come to an end for the Petter Solberg World Rally Team here in Bulgaria, with a fantastic third place in the rally. This was the first rally this season on tarmac, and with a new codriver the team is very happy with the result.
“This feels so great,” says Petter Solberg. “Two weeks ago we didn’t even have a codriver, so being at the podium today feels like a big achievement. What Chris has done this weekend is absolutely amazing, and being on the podium is a big bonus. The car has worked perfectly during the rally and the team has made a great effort in getting us where we are today. It makes me really proud when our little private team is able to actually have a proper fight with the big manufacturers.”
Sebastien Loeb won rally Bulgaria, and Dani Sordo ended second. Another Citroën-driver, Sebastien Ogier, ended fourth, making it 4 Citroën C4’s in the top 4. A total of 13 stages have been competed in Bulgaria, and Petter and Chris set the fastest time on 5 of the 13 stages.
Codriver Chris Patterson was also awarded the “Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally” Award for his great effort in Rally Bulgaria.
– I am so happy today, says Chris Patterson. – Who would have thought this? Two weeks ago I were at home reading the Sunday news, and today I am at the podium in a WRC-event. And on top of that, I’ve got the “Spirit of the rally” award. It is absolutely fantastic.
Tomorrow morning the Petter Solberg World Rally Team heads home, and start preparing for the next event on the championship calendar, Rally Finland 29 – 31 July 2010.
Final positions :
1. S Loeb/D Elena FRA Citroen C4 3hr 02min 39.2sec
2. D Sordo/M Marti ESP Citroen C4 3hr 03min 08.7sec
3. P Solberg/C Patterson NOR Citroen C4 3hr 03min 15.5sec
4. S Ogier/J Ingrassia FRA Citroen C4 3hr 04min 34.2sec
5. M Hirvonen/J Lehtinen FIN Ford Focus RS 3hr 05min 57.0sec
6. J-M Latvala/M Anttila FIN Ford Focus RS 3hr 07min 07.7sec
7. P-G Andersson/J Andersson SWE Ford Focus RS 3hr 08min 04.4sec
8. F Turan/G Lsiros HUN Peugeot 307 3hr 09min 43.2sec
9. M Wilson/S Martin GBR Ford Focus RS 3hr 12min 07.8sec
10 H Solberg/I Minor NOR Ford Fiesta S2000 3hr 15min 45.2sec
– Credit: Petter Solberg World Rally Team