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At the end of September, after competing on the Tour De Corse, Petter Solberg crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Israel. The purpose of his visit was to participate in promotional events for the SUBARU distributor in the country. Because revisions in the law governing motorsport activities are expected in the near future, he was invited as a guest to PR events, though it is legally difficult to hold motorsport events in the country under the present laws.

On the first day of his visit, Solberg went sightseeing to some of Judaism's holiest sites in Jerusalem, including the Wailing Wall and various ruins in the city. The following day he moved to the capital, Tel Aviv. A big restaurant in Tel Aviv facing the Mediterranean was the site of the launch of the new 2008 1.5 litre Impreza. The press conference was a colourful affair, with a huge number of domestic celebrities including singers, TV personalities, and media gathered for the event. Guest of honour Solberg made the following speech.

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"I think that everybody has the image of SUBARU equalling AWD. However, the features of SUBARU are far more than just that. Overall, the cars are very good, and posess exceptional balance. In fact, the greatest strength of SUBARU is the car's balance. Of course the AWD system and the high safety standards are also well known. I have been partially involved in the development and evaluation of the 2008-model Impreza, and I am extremely pleased with the excellence of the finished product. Moreover, SUBARU is a like a family. I love the people I work with, and am thrilled to be driving and fighting for SUBARU. The moment one becomes a SUBARU owner, you become part of that family." Solberg readily understands the development of the cars and contributes ideas. His pertinent evaluations make him a fundamental part of the development process alongside the engineers. "SUBARU engineers always talk about how their four wheeled vehicles grip the road and feature pleasant handling, making for a comfortable and easy ride.

I totally agree with that assessment. What I'm looking for is a World Rally car and road car that are exactly the same."

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	Copyright © STI

Solberg visited the event site in the northern part of the city of Tel Aviv the following day. A specially-constructed pavement area was set up and a gymkhana-style performance conducted. Adjacent to this, a gravel road section was prepared and rally drives performed. Some 1,300 spectators were on hand to witness the event. It was reported that a lot of people other than SUBARU owners were also in attendance, due to information on the event being posted on the Internet. At the heart of the AWD performance demonstration on asphalt, a British-built car and a Legacy played tug-of-war in what became a scene of the rival's screaming tyres and engines racing. A Legacy went up against a Japanese-made FF car on a wet asphalt surface proving the efficiency and stability of its AWD system. Without any doubt, the technical excellence of the SUBARU AWD system was a major draw for the assembled spectators.

Solberg's demonstration runs on asphalt were the climax of the event. The WRC champion's superior technique thrilled the many spectators on hand, culminating in Solberg jumping out of the car and giving �ehigh-fives'to the fans in a sincere gesture, and responding with his signature smile.

This activity will no doubt plant the seed enabling the growth of motorsport in Israel. Petter Solberg's welcoming character is also perfect for telling how wonderful motorsport is, and contributes to the improved image of SUBARU in this country. Solberg played the role of ambassador here perfectly.