Oliver Solberg confirmed for 2023 RAC Rally

World Rally Championship star Oliver Solberg will drive a Ford Escort RS1800 on this November’s Roger Albert Clark Rally.

Oliver’s father Petter will lend his son the family Escort Mk2 and the 21-year-old will seize the opportunity to drive some of the stages his family has been talking about for generations.

“Before I talk about anything,” said Oliver, “I have to say a big thank you to Phil Mills. Phil has helped so much to make this happen, getting everything ready for us. It’s a fantastic opportunity.

“Unless there’s something a little bit unexpected, my season with WRC2 is going to end at Rally Chile next month. I know there’s a big gap before the start of next year and I was looking for events to do to keep me driving and keep me in the seat. I was talking with Phil and he suggested Roger Albert Clark.

“It’s always been a dream to do this rally. I heard so many stories about the rally and the stages which are used. I was telling my Grandpa [Per-Inge Walfridsson] about it the other day and he straight away said: “You will be going to the Kielder forest; this is one tough place to compete!”

“It’s so cool to hear these stories. Everybody heard so much about the old RAC Rally, it feels like we’re going back in time a little bit and doing this. If we’re going to do a rally like this, it has to be in the Escort. I’m very grateful to dad for letting me drive his car. I will do a day testing before we start, which I’m kind of needing – I think I did around six kilometres on snow and about the same on gravel in this car before. I need some experience and feeling before we start.

“Both of my eyes are absolutely on the finish. This will be the longest rally I ever competed on. It’s going to be fairly tough: five days and I think around 40% of the route in the dark in a car with no power steering – I’m going to be in the gym a fair bit from now until the start!

“Seriously though, this is about having fun – the result doesn’t matter.  It’s about driving and just enjoying the sport in a car and on roads which are as legendary as each other. It’s really a dream to be doing this, so thanks again for Phil and everybody who’s made it happen.”

Rally manager Colin Heppenstall said: “We thrilled that Oliver and his family have chosen to enter our event. It will add another element to a fantastic entry list and we hope that Oliver enjoys the rally. We’d also like to thank Phil Mills for his role is bringing this plan together.”

Please follow the event web site for up to date information www.racrmc.org

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