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A rally car returns to service after running on some of the toughest roads in the world and it's your responsibility to ensure it's fixed and ready to go after a 30 minute service. The car needs a lot of work, but where do you start? It's not a problem for Petter Solberg's number one technician Steve Whitehead. Here, he tells us about his job.
Tell me about your job?
I've been working for the Subaru World Rally Team for over 10 years. I started as an apprentice, working in various different departments and attended college one day a week studying mechanical engineering. After my apprenticeship was completed I worked in the Subaru sales workshop for five years, then transferred to the Subaru World Rally team as a technician five years ago. At the beginning of 2006 I started working as the number one technician on the team's third car, then over the summer break I was asked whether I wanted to become the number one technician on Petter Solberg's car. Of course I was very excited but at the same time a little nervous.
What are the main differences between working as a technician and now a number one technician?
The main difference is that I have a lot more responsibility now. I have to ensure the car is built to the correct specification by delegating work throughout my team to ensure deadlines are met and car part records are kept up to date. Then on rallies I am ultimately responsible for completing all the necessary jobs during the time allocated in service.
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Germany was your first event as Petter Solberg's number one technician, how did the weekend go for you?
It was very busy from the beginning. After Petter's shakedown accident we had to assess the damage and see if it was possible to repair the car for Petter to continue in the rally. Once we knew the car could be repaired, the team were brilliant, getting into action and working as hard as we could to get the car ready to compete in the rally. As Petter's number one technician I had to delegate work to the team members to ensure everything possible was being done to achieve this. It was a very challenging situation to deal with for my first event as number one technician! However it wasn't a first as I have been in similar situations as a technician working on Petter's car after he's picked up damage on other rallies. However it was then very disappointing for the whole team after all our hard efforts on Thursday when Petter retired from the rally on Saturday.
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What's Petter like to work with?
Petter is quite relaxed, but also very focussed and professional. He is very clear in providing information regarding any changes he would like to help improve his performance.
What preparations did you have to do before Finland?
The car needed to be changed from asphalt to gravel specification. This involved approximately 150 component changes - my job is to ensure these changes are all made to a high standard. The transmission system used for Germany was used again in the car for Finland, the same engine should have been used for both events as well but as Petter retired from the Rally Deutschland with engine failure he was allowed to use a new engine in Finland. It was a very busy time - we had less than three days to complete all of the work.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I honestly enjoy most of it, especially travelling to all the different countries we visit in the championship. I remember when the pressure was quite high in 2003 when, close to the end of the season, Petter needed every available point to win the drivers championship. With the determination in the team we knew it was achievable, and that was one of the most enjoyable and satisfying times of my job so far.
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2006
2006