Solberg targets Power Stage glory

Petter Solberg is planning an all-out attack on the Guanajuato Power Stage later this morning.

Solberg, from Norway, is fifth overall heading into the final day of Rally Guanajuato Mexico but is determined to land the three bonus points awarded to the fastest driver through the event-closing test.

He will carry one spare tyre in his Citroen DS3 WRC in an effort to be as competitive as possible.

“After the problems we’ve had on this rally this would be a good reward,” said the ex-world champion. “We will take one spare tyre to save the weight, not go too mad on the first two stages to save the tyres we have and then push like hell on the Power Stage and see what we can do. There are plus and minus points of our plan but we have to go for it.”

Solberg, who is being co-driven by Briton Chris Patterson, dropped out of contention for rally glory when his car suffered an electrical fault on Friday afternoon. He had been third overall and in striking distance of first place at the time.

Of the 19 special stages run so far, Solberg has been fastest on five of them. If he maintains fifth place and wins the Power Stage he will take away 13 points from Mexico.

The Power Stage concept is new to the WRC this season. Forming the final stage of a rally and shown live on television around the world, it awards bonus points (3-2-1) to the fastest three competitors.

Rally Guanajuato Mexico’s Power Stage is 8.28 kilometres in length and gets underway at 11:06hrs local time. Leading competitors will tackle the test in reverse order.