Now for those who may not be as familiar about WRC as say, Formula One, here is a quick crash course: Today’s WRC is a 16-leg event held over 16 different countries in five continents. Each race is held in different surfaces ranging from asphalt (tarmac) to gravel to snow and even to rock and sand. Temperatures can range from blistering desert heat to driving rain with near-zero visibility to freezing snow with treacherous grip. The cars are either four-door sedans (Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) or three-door hatchbacks (Citroen, Peugeot 307, Ford Focus).
This season has had three races so far (Monte Carlo, Sweden and Mexico) with the fourth (Rally New Zealand) scheduled this weekend. Not boding well for the defending champ is the fact that he is in 5th place with 13 points behind joint leaders Sebastian Loeb (who won the first two rallies) and Markko Martin (who won in Mexico) with 20 points each, Marcus Gronholm with 16 points and Francois Duval with 14. Let’s hear now what he has to say:
Philippine STAR: Three races down, 13 races to go. Fifth in the championship that you are defending. What do you make of your chances?
Petter Solberg: We just do our best. We work on the car, the tires, the engine, the aerodynamics — but exactly what I cannot tell you (laughs). I work very hard with my co-driver (Phil Mills). I always put pressure on myself. This car is simply the best rally car I have ever driven. It’s very fast and works so well at high speed.
STAR: In what area do you particularly need to improve?
Solberg: We are currently struggling in tarmac and we are all working to erase our deficit on this surface, both in my driving and with the car.
STAR: To what would you attribute last year’s championship victory?
Solberg: We were very good on gravel. We had good tires. And we had a pretty good driver! (laughter from everyone)
STAR: What can you say about the penalties you incurred in Mexico?
Solberg: Well, what can I say? We won nine stages out of 15 — until the alternator failed. We pushed the car into service and we were penalized 5 minutes and 40 seconds, enough to drop us down to 4th. The car weighs 1300 kilos! I couldn’t push it any further. It’s part of the game, but at least we got some points.
STAR: With the season contested on so many different surfaces and conditions, how do you adjust your driving style in each?
Solberg: I just try to be as smooth as possible. Most drivers are going too much sideways. I do only very little of that, regardless of when I’m driving on tarmac or gravel or snow.
STAR: Which is your favorite rally?
Solberg: Each and every one is my favorite.
STAR: Who do you think would be your most formidable opponent this year?
Solberg: I am most scared of Loeb and Gronholm, especially Loeb.
STAR: How would you compare WRC to Formula One?
Solberg: Well, in F1 they have three months off. In WRC we race from January to December. We drive in very different track and weather conditions. It can get very, very hot inside the car. Nothing beats a proper rally car. It’s got so much kick, you’ll never forget it! In terms of fitness, we are better trained than most F1 drivers.
I’ve never dreamed of F1. This reminds me of the time Michael Schumacher rode in my rally car in Sweden last January. What he told me I cannot tell you. All I can say is, when he got out of my car, he was jumping up and down! He just loved it!
STAR: Are you into computer virtual rally games?
Solberg: Oh yes! PS2, RC — I play with everything!
STAR: How did you get started in racing?
Solberg: I was driving at the age of six. I was a mechanic at 10. Everyone in my family was racing: rallies, hillclimbs, autocross — even RCs! Me and my brother were champions. My parents were champions. My uncles were champions. Even my wife was a champion! And my young son already wants to do the same.
STAR: What is you favorite rally car?
Solberg: My favorite rally car is my Subaru Impreza WRC. But I also love one of my earlier rally cars, a Volvo 240, which I still have. I won both the Norwegian Rallycross and Hillclimb championships with that car in 1995 and 1996. It weighs only 800 kilos and has 300 horsepower.
STAR: How about road cars, which is your favorite?
Solberg: The Petter Solberg Edition Impreza WRX! I love four-wheel-drive and I love lots of power. I have about seven Subarus at home.
STAR: Do you drive fast on the road?
Solberg: I only drive fast in rallies. I am a very safe driver on the road.
STAR: Why do you drive with your mouth open? (I asked this question on behalf of the Philippines’ 2000 Rally Driver of the Year/2003 Co-driver of the Year Art Guevarra, who put me up to it.)
Solberg: (laughs) Good question! I actually didn’t know that I drive with my mouth open until I saw the in-car shots. I drive that way because I am concentrating very hard plus my seat is very low and I have to raise my head a bit to see the road well. It also helps me with my breathing.
STAR: How would you describe yourself, and why are you called Hollywood?
Solberg: I’m a very easy person. I’m very simple. I love my fans. I take care of them. I love to dance and party, which is why they call me "Hollywood". Check out pettersolberg.com!
(Catch AXN’s Rally New Zealand Preview on April 16, 8pm with a replay on April 17 at 12am and 6pm. Rally New Zealand’s race highlights will be on April 20, 11pm with a replay on April 24 at 12nn. There is also a Monte Carlo Rally Shakedown on April 27 at 11pm.)