Biography Petter Solberg
Petter Solberg
Date of birth: 18 November 1974
Place of birth: Askim, Norway
Lives: Monaco
Marital status: Married to Pernilla, one son Oliver
First rally: 1996
WRC debut: 1998 Sweden
Hobbies: Quad–biking, radio-controlled cars, fishing, riding snow-mobiles and driving on frozen lakes, all with Oliver
Petter Solberg’s rise through the rallying ranks was meteoric. Having joined the Subaru World Rally Team in 2000, it took him just three full
seasons to claim the most coveted prize in the sport – the World Rally Championship title.
‘Hollywood’ as he is known is one of the most effervescent and popular drivers in the world championship. A superstar in his native Norway,
crowds of his most loyal supporters turn up at every WRC event to cheer on their hero. While Solberg’s crowd–pleasing antics are a firm
favourite with rally fans across the world, there’s a burning determination for continued success at the highest level. He has a relentless
work ethic and his sights set on breaking former team–mate and Finnish rally legend Tommi Mäkinen’s record of four WRC titles.
A family affair
Petter started his rally–driving career on the fields of his parents’ farm near Oslo when he was eight years old. His parents were both
keen rallycross drivers, and, together with his older brother Henning, Petter inherited their enthusiasm for cars. As an 11–year–old
Petter helped his parents build and maintain their autocross cars. Too young to compete himself, he raced radio–controlled cars and became
Norwegian Champion at the age of 13.
Second race, first win
Solberg made his competitive driving debut on a round of the Norwegian Autocross Championship in late 1992 – the day after he passed his
driving test. His second race took place the following year and he won! He quickly progressed from autocross to rallycross and then to
hillclimbing, using a Ford Escort Mk2 given to him by his brother.
From events to championships
In 1995, Petter acquired a Volvo 240, also from big brother Henning, and became Norwegian Champion in rallycross and hillclimbing, a feat he
was to repeat in 1996. That season he won an unprecedented 19 of the 21 events he started. In September 1996, Petter made his rally debut.
This time he was behind the wheel of a Toyota Celica GT4. The following season, he acquired a Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD formerly driven by
leading Swedish rally driver Thomas Rådström. Petter used the car to clinch another hillclimb title. More significantly, he’d made the
step across to rallying and would end his first Norwegian Rally Championship campaign in fifth position.
World Championship debut
For 1998, Petter remained with a private Toyota, but this time it was a more contemporary Celica GT–Four. This car delivered Solberg
’s first major rally championship, when he lifted the silverware in his domestic series. This was the season where he made his World
Rally Championship debut, finishing 14th on the Swedish Rally.
Call–up from Ford
By now Petter was getting noticed and in 1999 he signed to drive for the Ford World Rally Team, making his works debut in Sweden with an
Escort WRC and Phil Mills as his new co–driver. Soon afterwards Petter’s career received a surprise boost thanks to the
misfortune of a teammate. When Thomas Radstrom was injured prior to the Safari Rally, Petter flew out to Nairobi as a last–minute
replacement for the Swede. Despite having no experience of the event, or the new Focus WRC he would be driving, he finished an excellent
fifth overall in Kenya. With Radstrom still sidelined, Petter remained in the Focus for the Rally of Portugal, where he finished 11th
before rounding off the year with ninth place on the Rally Great Britain.
Subaru switch and that crucial first win
Petter remained with Ford for the first half of the 2000 season, but in August switched to the Subaru World Rally Team. Despite some early
setbacks he maintained a level–headed and positive approach. His efforts were rewarded in Greece with a superb, then, career–best
second place on one of the World Rally Championship’s toughest events. For 2002, Petter partnered Tommi Makinen at Subaru and during the
season took podium positions five times.
"I want to win as many points as possible in the first part of this year with the current car. We will start with a measured approach to the season, but of
course we will be pushing. Before the new car arrives it would be good to win a rally, but for sure points are the priority." Petter Solberg
Petter Solberg is one of the foremost rally drivers in the world. The effervescent and aptly nicknamed Hollywood is as gregarious as he is dedicated and focussed.
Intensely competitive, his drive and determination took him to World Championship honours in 2003, just three seasons after joining the Subaru World Rally Team.
His passion for cars and speed started when he was still too young to enter rallies, and he became Norwegian radio–controlled Champion at the tender age
of 13. Petter’s rally–driving career commenced on the fields of his parents’ farm near Oslo, where he developed his flamboyant but precise car
control from the age of just eight. With his parents both keen on rallycross, it was no surprise that his debut in the Norwegian Autocross Championship came as
soon as he was old enough, aged just 17.
One of the most popular drivers in the WRC, he is a superstar in his native Norway. It is hard to pick a rally stage that is not lined with his loyal supporters,
adorned in Norwegian flags, who travel the length and breadth of the globe to support their hero.
After narrowly missing out on the title in 2004 and 2005, and scoring only two podiums in 2007 after what has been a series of difficult years, Petter is more
focussed than ever on taking to the top step of the podium. Hungry to once again taste the champagne of success, more victories are sure to be on the way for
the affable Norwegian.
Career history
2007: Fifth place, World Rally Championship
2006: Sixth place, World Rally Championship
2005: Second place, World Rally Championship
2004: Solberg claimed five rally victories, including his third consecutive win on Rally GB, to finish second in the World Rally Championship
2003: A spectacular win on Rally GB, the final round of the season, delivered Solberg’s first World Rally Championship title
2002: Second place, World Rally Championship
2001: Solberg scored the highest WRC finish of his career, with second in Greece
2000: Signed by the Subaru World Rally Team in August
1999: Solberg signed his first works WRC deal with the Ford World Rally Team, and debuted in an Escort in Sweden. He sat alongside Phil Mills for the first time.
Solberg replaced Thomas Radstrom on the Safari Rally, Rally Portugal and Rally GB.
1998: Solberg’s first major championship victory came in the Group A Norwegian Rally Championship. He also made his WRC debut, finishing 14th on Rally Sweden.
1997: Norwegian hillclimbing champion
1996: Norwegian rallycross and hillclimbing champion, driving a Volvo 240. In September, Solberg made his rally debut aboard a Toyota Celica GT4
1995: Norwegian rallycross and hillclimbing champion, driving a Volvo 240
1992: Debuted in the Norwegian Autocross Championship
Resourced from www.swrt.com
