Petter Solberg retires from WRC

[torquemada]

http://www.6righttightens.com/petter...m-wrc-for-now/

Petter Solberg made a decision today that he would end his 15 year run at the top level of Rallying to try his hand at something a little different.
The Norwegian has had a pretty good run in the sport, joining 4 different teams and taking 13 rally wins, 15 second places and 24 3rd, 456 stage wins and a total of 852 points, and of course he took the World Championship title in 2003.
6RT wish him the best in whatever he does, and we hope to see him back in a WRC very soon!
“I am so grateful and happy for what I have experienced during my 15 years in the WRC. For now it’s really quite sad, you know, I would have loved to have driven for a few more years, but I do realise there will not be a WRC program for me next year. I have said I am willing to drive for free, but at this point, I will not pay to drive. This is not to say that you will never again see me in a WRC car, but for now, I think it’s best. I know I am good enough to fight in the top for many years still, but I fully understand the difficult financial situation for the 2013 season for M-Sport, so I wish the team all the best in the future,”
“The sport has given me so much, but I want to give a special thank you to all of my fans that have supported me through thick and thin, and given me such a great feeling about what I do, and for being a large reason of why I do it. I do hope you all understand, and I hope you’ll continue to follow me on to my next venture. I promise to bring you something worthy of this. My team and I are hard at work as you read this, and we can’t wait to let you know what are plans are”

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[Tim_]

Maybe he'll take a sabbatical until Sebastian Loeb retires.

[sackytar]

WTF really!

[Counterfit]

He should do a reverse Kimi and drive in F1 for a couple of years. Too bad there aren't any seats to be had.

[DaveyPetey]

WRC is falling apart. What happened?

[Counterfit]

Sebastien Loeb happened. Also rule changes, ****ty management, recession. I think that covers it.

[paved1]

Damn shame. You could tell he truly enjoyed the driving and the sport for its competition. You could see it anytime he was interviewed during a rally, damn shame.

[kayen]

Well it was bound to happen, considering Factory Ford dropped out for WRC '13 Season. Doesn't help MINI dropped out after they just started their WRC campaign as well.

[DaveyPetey]

Anyone know how IRC is holding together? PWRC?

[wvallwheeldrive]

I think he will be back with Hyundai in the 2014 season, this won't be the end of Solberg.

[RB5 Clone]

I heard that Petter is working with STI Japan to spec out a proper BRZ-WRC....

[zeeto]

He's not retiring...

Hello everyone. First off, I want to say thank you. You can't imagine the feeling I get seeing and reading all of your messages and support, both here and via multiple outlets around the web. Honestly I'm always so amazed by it. Especially now, it feels great.
The decision to withdraw from the WRC for 2013 after all of these years was not an easy one. The reality is that no matter how much we were hoping that there was a proper seat for us, it was made very apparent that there was not. At this point in my career, I had to make the call. I had to step away for now, and make a change.
The main thing that I want you all to realize, is that my statements and actions should by no means be viewed as me retiring. This is my life, and I'm definitely ready and prepared for more time behind a wheel, and more success.
With all of this being said, I also wanted to confirm that we are working on some very exciting plans for 2013, and I look forward to sharing that with you as soon as we're able. It's going to be a fun and competitive time for all of us. I promise you that..
Thank you again. Never Give Up. - Petter

[chimchimm5]

Sad Petter won't be in for next season...

[Weasel 555]

Originally Posted by DaveyPetey

Anyone know how IRC is holding together? PWRC?

IRC is doing fine its actually changing to ERC for 2013.
click: http://www.worldrallysport.com/forum...ead.php?t=2446

PWRC is also doing great

--------------------------------------

and direct from Petter:

Solberg touched by messages from fans

Petter Solberg has thanked all his fans for their messages of support following the news this week he will sit out the 2013 WRC season.

Speaking on Facebook, the former Subaru and Ford works driver admitted it wasn't an 'easy decision', but that in the end he had no real choice as there was not a 'proper seat' available.

Despite that though, he has insisted he is definitely not retiring and he has reiterated that he has some 'exciting plans' for 2013.

“Hello everyone. First off, I want to say thank you. You can't imagine the feeling I get seeing and reading all of your messages and support, both here and via multiple outlets around the web. Honestly I'm always so amazed by it. Especially now, it feels great,” wrote the 2003 World Rally Champion.

“The decision to withdraw from the WRC for 2013 after all of these years was not an easy one. The reality is that no matter how much we were hoping that there was a proper seat for us, it was made very apparent that there was not. At this point in my career, I had to make the call. I had to step away for now, and make a change.

“The main thing that I want you all to realise is that my statements and actions should by no means be viewed as me retiring.

“This is my life, and I'm definitely ready and prepared for more time behind a wheel, and more success.

“With all of this being said, I also wanted to confirm that we are working on some very exciting plans for 2013, and I look forward to sharing that with you as soon as we're able.

"It's going to be a fun and competitive time for all of us. I promise you that. Thank you again.”

click: crash.net/wrc/news/186717

...

[Counterfit]

*psst* that was posted already.

[Weasel 555]

i know , just making sure everyone is aware

[2005wrxowner1]

He rocked that subaru years ago. Except rally germany, he wrecked every time he went.D'OH! By far my favorite driver, The mop of blonde hair will be missed.

[REDrum]

He just ran out of money...for a while...

[Fast WRX '02]

Without Petter, we wouldn't have the Sti hatch.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by kayen

Well it was bound to happen, considering Factory Ford dropped out for WRC '13 Season. Doesn't help MINI dropped out after they just started their WRC campaign as well.

Thank BMW for that one. All BMW motorsports budget (and by extension the money for Mini WRC) went to BMW entering in DTM. Then again, BMW pulled the manufacruting, driver, adn team title their first year back...

Mini is still in there (Under Prodrive I think) but it's no longer a factory-backed effort. Just support a bit.

It's sad to see what ahppened to WRC. Unfortunately it's just a culmination of back luck and bad rules. Many racing series are struggling like this.

They should just drop the Group A cars and focus on Group N. Less expensive, and better tied to road cars. Or reinstate Group B...

[DaveyPetey]

^This

[wobbletop]

I wonder if him almost plowing into a bunch of spectators and taking out a power pole in a vineyard had any impact on him trying to get a ride next year (I just watched the WRC year in review).

[RB5 Clone]

Originally Posted by wobbletop

I wonder if him almost plowing into a bunch of spectators and taking out a power pole in a vineyard had any impact on him trying to get a ride next year (I just watched the WRC year in review).

Latvala caused a lot more carnage than that, and still landed a ride. So...those reasons are doubtful as to the cause of non-renewal.

[torquemada]

Originally Posted by wobbletop

I wonder if him almost plowing into a bunch of spectators and taking out a power pole in a vineyard had any impact on him trying to get a ride next year (I just watched the WRC year in review).

that was the scene where I lost the respect

that was just plain stupid

[chimchimm5]

Originally Posted by torquemada

that was the scene where I lost the respect

that was just plain stupid

That was my initial thought too until I saw the in car footage.

Loeb would never have over cooked the corner like Petter did. However, once Petter was off road, the typical response is the floor it through the soft vegetation till you get back on the road. Unfortunately, the blind drive made it impossible to see where the road was and he crossed it and went into the other side of the farm without knowing he ever crossed.... then BAM!

It's still a "stupid" move, "to finish first yadayada". But I can see how it happened. I think more drivers than just Petter learned a lesson from that incident.