91Èȱ¬

Raise Your Game: Why rallying?

Petter Solberg: It's difficult to say. I'm from a farm in Norway and I used to work on mopeds, cars and tractors all the time when I was at home. I was driving around on the farm when I was six-years-old. I've got a passion for it. My parents drove autocross for 10 years. I have a lot of fun and enjoy the life. It's in the blood.

RYG: How important is teamwork for success in the world of rallying?

PS: It's like anything in life - you can't do it without good teamwork and good friends. You have to take care of each other. Me and Phil (Mills) have had a long and good relationship, and it works very well. You have to cheer each other up when it's going bad. When it's going well we have to stay together and share the victories.

RYG: What skills do you need to be a World Champion rally driver?

PS: It's all about your goals in life. Anything is possible. You have to think positively. You have to enjoy whatever you do. It doesn't matter what you do but in motor sport you have to start off in go-karts or motocross. If you start off at too high a level it costs you a lot of money. You have to go out there and just enjoy it. See how it goes and then, if things work out, push on further.

RYG: What have been the highlights of your career?

PS: Obviously the first rally win in 2002 was special. I was seven times Norwegian champion in different classes of motor sport. Every year has a different victory, but it's very difficult to beat winning the World Championship in 2003.

RYG: And the lowlights?

PS: We don't talk about those (laughs).

RYG: What advice would you give to youngsters wanting to be the next Petter Solberg?

PS: First of all get involved in local rallies and motor clubs. Learn how to work on cars and be a mechanic - that's very important if you want to get somewhere. First and foremost, have fun!