Not yet


by Tim Whittington |

Younger Solberg says Rallycross can wait.

It’s not unusual to see one or other of the Solberg brothers hanging out when the European Rallycross Championship visits Scandinavia and this year’s Norwegian-Swedish double-header brought visits from both Henning and Petter. The older of the two, Henning drove in the Norwegian event, making it to the B final in M Technologies’ Citroën C4 and, during the course of the weekend, confirming that he will build a new Fiesta VII-based Supercar in which to drive in events on a more regular basis in future (see Rallycross World Magazine #90, July 2011).

At Höljes Petter Solberg showed up and, as he had done at Momarken a few years ago, spent time in the paddock catching up with drivers he raced against in the formative stages of his career. The 2003 World Rally Champion gave Sverre Isachsen a useful steer on tyre choice in Saturday’s rain affected practice and qualifying and, on Sunday, took a short turn on the track himself. A group of Crosskarts had been gathered to give a short demonstration run and Solberg drove a 650cc version of the off-road kart while his 9-year-old son Oliver drove the 85cc kart in which he currently leads his class in the Norwegian championship. “Crosskarts is great training for kids, Oliver won his first event this year and is leading the championship for his age group. The 650cc [which weighs just under 300kg] kart is fast, good fun to drive,” said Solberg. On the subject of Rallycross itself, Soilberg said he had not plans yet for a return to the sport in which he cut his teeth, “I’m busy with a Pikes Peak project, that’s something a bit different and it’s an event I want to do so I’m not thinking about a Rallycross car yet. Anyway, I’m not old enough to race here!” he said, making a tongue in cheek sideswipe at the likes of of Ludvig Hunsbedt and Morten Bermingrud whom he has known since his earliest days as a Rallycross driver.

 

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