Henning Solberg runs Norway rally event

Solberg shines on front-wheel-drive debut

FIA World Rally Championship driver Henning Solberg has successfully contested his first ever event in a front-wheel-driver car by winning his class on the opening round of the Norwegian Rally Championship, the Mountain Rally, in a Bio-fuelled Ford Fiesta ST.

Contesting the event as a fun exercise and to refresh his pacenoting skills with co-driver Cato Menkerud, Solberg won his class convincingly to finish the event as the leader in the Norwegian Fiesta SportingTrophy series.

While Solberg does not intend to defend his lead of the FST series due to commitments with his Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team, he did however enjoy his first experience of a front-wheel-drive car at race speed.

"This was a fun event and I am really happy to finish top in the Fiesta championship because I have never even driven a front-wheel-drive rally car before," said Solberg. "I borrowed the Fiesta from my friend and it was a really great car to drive and it was great to be able to win for Ford of Norway who have helped us a lot in 2007," he added.

Overall the Norwegian finished in 15th place, coming home first in the two-wheel-drive category. This is the first time since 2003 that Solberg has been leading a class in the Norwegian Rally Championship.

"I am now focused on getting off to a good start with the Stobart team in the WRC as we head to Monte Carlo next week. These Fiestas are a lot of fun and for sure I would like to rally one again some day," concluded Solberg.

-credit: m-sport.co.uk