Solberg delighted with own team
Petter Solberg said the formation of his own World Rally Championship team is the realisation of a dream - although he admitted that the circumstances were not ideal
The 2003 world champion lost his drive when Subaru withdrew from the WRC in December, but from his home rally in Norway next weekend onwards he will drive a 2006-specification Citroen Xsara under the Petter Solberg World Rally Team banner.
"This is a dream come true," said Solberg at a press conference to launch the team in his home town of Spydeberg in Norway.
"I have wanted to put together my own WRC team for a long time, but I must admit I had not planned for it to happen in exactly these circumstances or in this timeframe. But we are ready now and I am looking forward to this weekend's test and Rally Norway."
A number of former Subaru personnel have joined Solberg's team, who will be led by ex-SWRT logistics manager Ken Reese.
"I have been working flat out, and I'm really proud to the present my new team today," said Solberg.
"I have a lot of brilliant people around me, and they have all been working 24-hour shifts for me the past weeks. Without them and my sponsors, this would not have been possible."
Solberg will test the Citroen in Norway for the first time this weekend, and expects to contest the remainder of the 2009 championship with it.
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