Solberg still up for title fight
Solberg still up for title fightGermany - Subaru - Petter Solberg
Reigning world champion Petter Solberg has remained defiant about his chances of defending his title, despite a rally-ending shunt on today’s first run through the Panzerplatte stage that marked his third retirement from the last three rallies.
Solberg crashed out of OMV ADAC Rallye Deutschland just 400 metres into the final stage of the morning loop. Although both Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills were uninjured in the accident, Mills has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
“Just after the start of SS12, we went over a crest and the car went a little off the road and into a huge concrete block,” Solberg explained. “We then rolled a number of times and went into more concrete. It was a big shock, but the main thing is that Phil seems to be okay – we can always build another car! The team has been really supportive, but the car is not so good now. It’s been very difficult here, but it has been the same for everyone.”
Current championship leader Sebastien Loeb – who is presently leading the rally by a comfortable 50-second margin from his Citroen team-mate Carlos Sainz – could potentially leave Germany with a 32-point lead over Solberg with only six more rounds of the 2004 season left to run.
“At the moment, I’m not feeling good, and, for sure, the accident wasn’t fun, but I’m not too stressed,” Solberg said. “There’s a long way still to go in the championship and we’ll be back again in Japan. We’ll be putting on a good show on the gravel, so just watch us go, as we’ll be going for the win.”
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