|
Questions to Petter Solberg
Letter from SWRT
28 July 2006
 |
 |
| Copyright © STI |
Why have you chosen to stay at Subaru?
At Subaru I have a very good team of people behind me, that's everybody including the mechanics, engineers, management and those at Subaru in Japan. Okay, I had some problems in my career when I started at Subaru but the team supported me very much and since then we have always stood together, through good and bad things. But the most important thing about this career is winning. Now I know it's difficult at Subaru just now, but I know that Subaru has all the abilities and all the qualities and the best people to handle this situation. I am very, very confident that we will start winning again soon. I would not have signed if I felt the team wasn't ready to win very soon.
What about the current car, what sort of potential has it got?
It has much more to give. Already it's working much better and I have tested a lot of things that have shown improved speed but still there are some things missing. The engineers have found out some of the reasons, we have a good direction now and we will work together so that I am 100 per cent happy with it. Hopefully we can unlock more of its potential very soon.
How soon before we can see you winning rallies again?
It all depends on how quickly we can get the car truly competitive. As soon as that is done we will start winning again.
What do you think you can achieve between now and 2009?
I want to say some big words, I really want to say I'm going to win all the Championships but that would be stupid. What I can say is I have a lot of confidence in my ability as a driver. A lot depends on how quickly we can improve the performance of the car in general but I don't think it'll be too long. Once we're able to start pushing again then I think there will be some very, very good times ahead.
|
|
|
 |
| Copyright © STI |
Chris Atkinson lends a hand to Rally Australia
Subaru World Rally Team driver Chris Atkinson flew to Perth on Tuesday 25 July to help launch ticket sales for his home event, Rally Australia. Twenty-six year old Chris had been spending time with his friends and family on the Gold Coast in the east of Australia, but travelled over 3,600km to support the 2006 rally, which will take place from 27 to 29 October.
It was an early wake-up call for Chris on Wednesday 26 July as he was interviewed by Western Australia radio station 96fm for their popular breakfast show. He then headed off to the Cloisters Newsagency on Perth's main Hay Street - as our photos show, Chris was there to hand over the first ticket to an avid rally fan, who got a slightly bigger ticket than he bargained for!
 |
|
| Copyright © STI |
Next on the agenda was a visit to the Multiple Sclerosis Society care centre in Wilson in the suburbs of Perth. There Chris was introduced to the work of the MS Society, the chosen charity of Rally Australia, by its CEO, Marcus Stafford. After a brief speech and question and answer session, Chris signed posters for the centre's patients. He later enjoyed a tour of the facility and afternoon tea.
"I was delighted to help my home event, Rally Australia. It was a good day," said Chris. "I was also pleased to be able to support the Multiple Sclerosis Society. I've seen first-hand what a great job they do and hope they'll get lots more exposure from the rally. I'm looking forward to coming back to Perth in October."
|
 |
2006
2005