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Solberg could return to Catalunya Rally tomorrow despite heavy accident on stage one

Petter Solberg could return to the Catalunya Rally tomorrow following his first-stage departure from the event this morning

The Norwegian damaged the front-left suspension on his DS3 WRC mid-way through the Pesells test and was forced to stop not far up the road.

Despite the damage to the car, it is hoped the Petter Solberg World Rally Team will have the car fixed in time for day two.

Solberg's co-driver Chris Patterson explained the accident, saying: "It was so difficult, there was a lot of dust. The road was very, very loose and we went into a left-hander a wee bit deep.

"We hit a concrete step which was completely buried on the inside of the corner, we could never have known about this - it wasn't visible on the recce at all. It broke the wheel immediately. We dragged the car a little way further and parked it safely."

Patterson admitted he and Solberg tried to stop the next crews from making the same mistake, but he could do nothing to save Ken Block who hit the same block with the same outcome.

"It was too narrow and too dangerous to get in there and wave people down," said Patterson. "We put some rocks in front of the block to try and built it up a little bit, I think we saved a few cars. This is so disappointing.

"We were really pleased with the way things went in France, only to be thrown out at the end and we've had another kick here. But we never give up in this team."

A decision on whether the car will run again will be taken later this afternoon.

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