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RumorMill: Petter Solberg to Race in U.S. for 2011

19 Nov , 2010   David  

This rumor actually has come credibility behind it, however unlikely it may seem. Petter put on a spectacular show as a privateer this year, but does not want to try it again next year. He is in talks with both Ford and Citroen for a WRC manufacturers seat, but nothing is confirmed.

Petter Solberg stands next to his Citroen rally car

Petter Solberg is hoping for a WRC manufacturer seat next year, but there are other possibilities as well.

Solberg said recently, “”I’m tired of having to chase the deals. For the last two years, I have been on planes and in meetings non-stop. And when I haven’t been doing that, I’ve been driving, testing and working with the team. I feel like I haven’t seen my family for two years. I don’t think it’s fair to carry on like this. I want to go to a manufacturer team and I want to fight, that’s all.” That is very understandable, it has to be tough trying to scrap together the money and then focus on driving each event.

Here’s where the interesting part comes in, when asked what he might do if he doesn’t get a manufacturer drive, he said he was likely to take 2011 off from WRC. He said he would consider driving in Le Mans or coming to the U.S. to race for the year. “I could look at Le Mans, or there are some possibilities to race in America. It would be something new,” said Solberg.

Although Petter doesn’t explicitly say what he would be doing in the U.S. there is a distinct possibility that he could mean an opportunity with the Subaru Rally Team in Rally America. With Travis Pastrana leaving Subaru to go to Nascar it would make sense that they would be trying to fill his spot with another high profile name. Petter also has a rich history with the Subaru World Rally Team, so Petter and Subaru rejoining forces could be of great interest to both parties. That could be very exciting for RallyCar/Rally America if it were to happen.

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