Solberg Fastest in Shakedown

Loeb must beat Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm by eight points and Subaru's Solberg by three without losing ground to either Markko Martin or Toni Gardemeister on this weekend's British round of the championship, if he is to clinch the world title this weekend.

Solberg's best of his three times through the soaking wet stage was 2:26.7, more than three seconds quicker than Loeb, who was only sixth quickest.

Gronholm was second fastest, one and a half seconds off Loeb's Citroen.

Former World Champion Colin McRae, about to start his first WRC event since the same rally two years ago, was only 14th quickest.

The rally gets underway for real tomorrow morning with the 27.89km stage of Brechfa 1.

Shakedown times:

Pos  Driver       Make              Time
 1.  Solberg      Subaru Impreza    2:26.7
 2.  Gronholm     Peugeot 307       2:28.2
 3.  Duval        Citroen Xsara     2:29.0
 4.  Stohl        Citreen Xsara     2:29.4
 5.  Gardemeister Ford Focus        2:29.8
 6.  Loeb         Citroen Xsara     2:29.9
 =.  Atkinson     Subaru Impreza    2:29.9
 8.  Rovanpera    Mitsubishi Lancer 2:30.3
 9.  Galli        Mitsubishi Lancer 2:31.0
10.  Solberg      Ford Focus        2:31.1

All Timing Unofficial