A thrilling final at round three of the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WRX) in Belgium saw Petter Solberg (N) take second place and give his world championship chances a timely boost. The former world Rallycross and world rally champion made the best start of the six finalists and, having started from the second row of the grid, used his Joker Lap intelligently to claim his second podium of the season. This latest result means that PSRX Volkswagen Sweden has now taken at least one podium finish at all three rounds so far this season.
Furthermore, both Polo R Supercars have qualified for the final as one of the top six cars at all three race weekends. Going back to last season, that makes it four finals in a row with both PSRX cars on the grid.
World champion Johan Kristoffersson (S) started the final from pole position, but did not get off to a good start. He found himself on two wheels in turn one and almost rolled his car. Kristoffersson went on to end the final in fifth place – partly thanks to being able to ‘lean’ on team-mate and PSRX team owner Solberg in the turmoil at the start. Victory went to nine-time world rally champion Sébastien Loeb (F, Peugeot).
Round four of the World Rallycross Championship takes place in two weeks in Silverstone (from 23 to 25 May) as part of the Speedmachine festival. Kristoffersson will travel to the race weekend in the United Kingdom as championship leader with 75 points – followed by Loeb (66) and Solberg (65). PSRX leads the Team competition with 140 points, 15 points ahead of the Peugeot works team in second.
Petter Solberg (N), Volkswagen Polo R Supercar #11 : « The start was really intense in the final. I was hit on the left and right, then emerged from the chaos in turn one in fourth place. The car still felt good after that – so I went on the attack. Then something broke on lap two, which meant I lost some pace. As such, second place in this tough final, on this tough weekend, is absolutely fantastic. »
Press Release VW,