Solberg aids Jean-Joseph’s rallying return

Petter Solberg is giving Simon Jean-Joseph a helping hand to get back behind the wheel of a rally car.

The former factory Citroen, Ford and Subaru driver tackled 26 world championship rallies but was forced to curtail his career when he suffered a serious facial injury in a water skiing accident back in 2008.

Last season, the double European champion formed part of Solberg’s safety note crew on asphalt events after completing a stint working in Citroen’s competition department.

He will contest the Auxerre Gravel Rally from 30 April-1 May in a Petter Solberg Engineering Citroen Xsara WRC alongside long-term co-driver Jack Boyere.

“Since my accident I gave up my professional career,” said the 41-year-old from Martinique. “In addition to the tests that I do for the Automoto programme on TF1, I’ve launched a small coaching and management company linked to motorsport. This has helped me to remain in touch with the sport by working with drivers, teams and organisers. Since last year, I’ve been collaborating with Petter Solberg, whether as a safety crew driver on asphalt rallies or in various projects including the development of his team, Petter Solberg Engineering. When the idea of driving one of his cars came up in a discussion, I didn’t take long to jump at the chance.”

He continued: “This rally is a good way to showcase the know-how of a team that’s been in the WRC since 2009. The team’s equipment and skills are at the disposal of other clients in both national and international championships.”

To increase the challenge facing Jean-Joseph and Boyere, the route of the French gravel championship qualifier won’t be revealed until the morning of the start when crews will get the opportunity to complete one reconnaissance run of each stage.

Jean-Joseph has won the event twice in the past: in 2000 he triumphed in a Group A Subaru Impreza before winning again in 2003 in a Renault Clio Super 1600.