The all new impreza WRX 2008 wilmake its debut in Rally of Greece this weekend. I hope Solberg can reignite his WRC title challenge with this new car.
Source:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23052008/23/solberg-good-feeling-new-car-already.html
Solberg: I have good feeling with new car already.
Fri 23 May, 10:18 AM
Petter and Atkinson excited ahead of first event with Impreza WRC2008.
Subaru World Rally Team duo Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson have both been given a boost ahead of the Acropolis Rally next weekend, following confirmation that the squad will switch to using the all-new Impreza WRC2008.
Petter has had a torrid time in recent events and the Norwegian hasn’t scored now since the Uddeholm Swedish Rally back in February, the second round in the World Rally Championship.
Having taken nil points from Mexico, Argentina, Jordan and Sardinia, ‘Hollywood’ will need a good result in Greece to kick-start his season and give his confidence a well needed lift.
While the Acropolis won’t be an easy event for the new car, the 2003 World Rally champion is already feeling positive about the machine, even though he has only had limited testing in it.
“We finished third here last year and this time we have the new car, so I’ll be really pushing for a strong result,” Petter vowed.
“It’s a very difficult event; very rocky and hot, and the stages have always been very rough so it’s hard on us and the cars.
“We’ve had a few days in the new car now, so I have a good feeling from it and really hope that we’ll be in a good position to fight at the front. I’ll be at 110 per cent, definitely.”
Chris Atkinson meanwhile has had a far more positive year thus far, with four podium finishes already under his belt. Sardinia however was also a disappointing event for the Aussie and while he scored and finished sixth, he was way, way, way off the pace in the 2007 spec car.
Like his team-mate, he is delighted that he will now get his hands on the redesigned car and he is hoping to be a lot closer to the likes of Sebastien Loeb, Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.
“It’s the first time out in a new car so it’s very exciting but you’re always a little cautious! If the feeling’s good I’ll be pushing straight away,” he promised. “There’s no reason not to, and obviously I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see where we are with the car.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough event as there are so many variables, so it won’t be easy but I hope we can take another step in the right direction and start to close up to the frontrunners.”
