Subaru World Rally Team star Petter Solberg finished a close third in the Bettega Memorial Rallysprint at the Bologna Motorshow on 13-14 December.
Aboard a factory-entered Subaru Impreza WRC2008, the Norwegian finished third after a series of knock-out rounds on both Saturday and Sunday in a mixed-surface arena resembling a WRC spectator stage.
The initial plan was for Chris Atkinson to take the reigns at Bologna, but the Australian was sidelined after his heavy crash on the opening day of Rally GB when he and co-driver Stéphane Prévot slid off the road on sheet ice. Whilst both Atkinson and Prévot are recovering well having suffered no serious injuries from the impact, Chris was given independent medical advice to miss the Bettega Memorial to ensure that he is fully rested in time for the pre-event Rally Ireland test in the new year.
The Bettega Memorial is one of the most popular motorsport events to take place at the Bologna Motor Show and honours the memory of the late Attilio Bettega, a star of the world rally scene in the 1970s and early 1980s. This year was its 24th running.
Subaru has a good heritage at this prestigious event. Last year SWRT test driver Markko Märtin claimed victory aboard an Impreza WRC2007. In 2005 MotoGP star Valentino Rossi thrilled his home crowd when he drove an Impreza WRC2005, and in 2004 Colin McRae was reunited with the model that took him to the 1995 World Rally Championship.
Top six overall positions:
1, Dani Sordo, Citroen C4 WRC
2, Gigi Galli, Ford Focus
3, Petter Solberg, Subaru Impreza
4, Kris Meeke, Citroen Xsara
Eliminated, Francois Duval, Subaru Impreza
Eliminated, Marcus Gronholm, Ford Focus
Source:
http://www.swrt.com