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Solberg back in World Rally Car
Former world champion Petter Solberg will return to the wheel of a World Rally Car when he tackles Rallye du Condroz-Huy (1 - 2 November) in Belgium.
The Norwegian, recently crowned inaugural FIA World Rallycross champion, will drive a Citroen C4 WRC prepared by Marc VDS Racing Team. He will be partnered by Phil Mills, with whom he won the 2003 FIA World Rally Championship for Subaru.
Solberg’s rivals include Citroen’s Kris Meeke, who will pilot a DS3 R5, and Citroen Racing director Yves Matton, who will also drive a C4 WRC. Matton will be co-driven by Daniel Elena, the man who guided Sébastien Loeb to nine world titles.
“I have great memories of the C4 in the World Rally Championship. But it’s important not to forget that I haven’t competed in a rally for two years,” said Solberg, whose last World Rally Car outing was at Rally de España in 2012 in a Ford Fiesta RS.
“It will take some time to find my bearings again. That will also be the case with Phil. Our last event together was in 2010 and we’re going to have to relearn how to write pace notes!” he added.
Matton first tackled Condroz in 1987 in an Opel Manta GT/E and finished fifth in both 1991 and 1992 in a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. After a long absence he returned to the rally in 2008 and finished third last year in a Xsara WRC.
“When you have tasted Condroz with a WRC, it’s hard not to return each year with a competitive car,” said Matton, who is a member of Huy Motor Club.
“I’ll never forget that it is Rallye du Condroz which instilled in me the passion for motorsport in general and rallying in particular,” he added.
The asphalt rally comprises 22 stages covering almost 243km in two days.
