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Solberg promises podium charge

Petter Solberg says he will risk all for a podium position on tomorrow's final day of Rally New Zealand

The Norwegian led the event at the end of day one, but dropped time running first on the road through today's eight stages in the Waikato region south of Auckland. Solberg is now fifth, 20 seconds behind current third-placed driver Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford).

"Today has been tough, really tough," said the Citroen privateer. "You know there was no chance, no grip at all. You just can't compare yesterday's road surface with today, it was much worse today.

"Okay, that's how it is, but now I want the podium and I'm going to push to get it. We have a good position on the road for tomorrow and we're going to use it."

Solberg's team manager Ken Rees said: "For 80 per cent of this rally, Petter has been first or second on the road, so to be just 20 seconds off the podium is an achievement in itself. I think he's going to get it."

Works Citroen driver Dani Sordo is six seconds ahead of Solberg going into the final day - and it is the Spaniard who Latvala is more concerned about.

"The gap to Dani is not so big," said Latvala. "I think he can be the one who the fight will be with for the podium."

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