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WRC - Super Solberg

Youth came to the fore in the World Rally Championship this season, with Petter Solberg heading up the charge of the new wave of rally stars

After breaking his WRC duck on the 2002 Rally GB, Solberg went on to claim his first title this year, taking four victories and winning over a legion of fans with his intense driving and exuberant personality.

Solberg's closest challenge came from Sebastien Loeb. The young Frenchman outpaced his illustrious Citroen team-mates, Carlos Sainz and Colin McRae, and only missed out on the title by a solitary point.

Markko Martin also established himself as a force for the future, taking a pair of victories with the new Ford Focus WRC03.



However, the old guard didn't go quietly into the night. Outgoing champion Marcus Gronholm took three wins, while Carlos Sainz used his guile and consistency to mount a title bid. Richard Burns didn't win a rally, but he too could have won the crown. Sadly, a brain tumour eliminated him from contention on Rally GB.

Meanwhile, four-time WRC champion Tommi Makinen decided to call it a day, while Colin McRae has seemingly been left high and dry after a mixed season with Citroen.

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