It is very dissapointing to come home, I recorded half of the Rally Finland, somehow the times got mixed up so I didn't even know Solberg retired until checking wrc.com. Well does anyone know why he retired and what kind of accident he had. This is very unfortunate. Loeb now has a humongous lead after being able to finish the last two rallys and gain points. Whats your take on this and how did the accident happen, do you guys still think Solberg is able to win?

 

Solberg slid into a ditch. Although he was able to get the car out, the steering rack was damaged and he had to retire. Ahh what would have been, he came back the second day (rally restart) and finished fastest in five of the eight stages. And on the second day Subarus took all four of the stages. One for Hirvonen and three for Solberg. Here's to a better Germany rally!

 

He can still come back to win. I'm sure two DNFs in a row don't make him a happy camper, but he still has the best chance of anyone in the championship of catching Loeb.

But, it really has been Loebs year. Consistent and fast is the way to win the Championship.

 

Also, did some more looking into it, but out of the remaining 12 stages after he restarted (under the SupeRally rules curently implemented), he got 8 fastest stage times, 3 top three times and he didn't compete in one (the super special).

 

I think all those times are BS - when you don't have to worry about keeping your car in one piece and get to the finish, you can give it that extra 10%, which you can't afford in the real race.

 

True, for Loeb, hes been kicking butt 4th in Finland major points for him. I'm curious does Solberg get any points whatsoever or manufacturers points for competing on the second day like shiroikage said.

 

Not this year. They are working out a complicated points system for next year, though, where the drivers that restart are able to get points in some fashion.

 

I have to disagree, at the pace those guys are going- not "keeping the car in one piece" can kill you in an instant, the way they run is at 10/10ths all the time,there isn't any "extra 10%" reserved when world champions are racing.

He's still driving to survive, and setting fast times shows he has the skills and the car to hold the drivers title, if he manages not to DNF too much more.

 

I agree totally, Solberg is simply making a statement. He has the skills and is deservedly a true champion. Not to make any excuses for him, but the man had the FLU and was still able to work up from sixth to third before crashing out.