It’s a family affair for the Solbergs
- PSRX Volkswagen Sweden
rounds off super-successful season at Gymkhana Grid
- It’s Solberg versus
Solberg for the first time
- Can anybody beat king
Kristoffersson in the town which bears his name
It’s a familiar
family scenario all over the world… the teenage son wanting to establish
a bit of authority over his parents. That’s what Saturday’s all about in
the Solberg house.
It’s Gymkhana Grid time at Carnival City, Johannesburg on Saturday and,
for the first time ever, 18-year-old Oliver Solberg will go head-to-head
with the three-time FIA World Champion he calls Dad.
It had to happen and it’s happening this week: Solberg versus Solberg;
Petter versus Oliver.
And, as if Oliver doesn’t have enough to contend with, Petter’s bringing
his mate Johan Kristoffersson – a man who knows quite a lot about winning
things.
Johan and Petter will drive the Volkswagen Polo R Supercars which have
dominated this year’s FIA World Rallycross Championship, while Oliver
gets Petter’s nine-year-old Citroen Xsara WRC.
“It doesn’t seem very fair does it?” laughed Oliver. “I have only 380
horsepower, but they both have nearly 600 in their cars! It’s not going
to be easy…
“It will be quite strange to compete against my father. We have tested
and raced against each other at home quite a lot – obviously I am always
winning – but this will be different. This is the first time for us
racing in a proper competition.
“Being a bit more serious, it will be really nice to be competing with
Dad. I think the biggest problem for the weekend could be for my Mum –
who does she support?”
Petter is a predictably proud parent looking ahead to Saturday.
“It’s fantastic to be racing with Oliver,” he said. “It’s a really nice
way to end the season. He’s got a good car there, that Xsara was one of
my favourites – and don’t believe what he’s telling you, for sure he has
some tricks in that car. I know, I built it!”
Last year’s Gymkhana Grid winner Johan is chasing a second South African
win in six days, having won last weekend’s World RX of South Africa in
Cape Town, the Swedish star’s 11th World RX victory of
the season.
“I love working and competing with the Solberg family,” said Johan, “but
Saturday is going to be something special… facing two of them!
“The Gymkhana Grid is a really nice event. It’s a place to do some
drifting and some donuts and have some fun in the car. It’s a cool event
in a cool place with a lot of fans coming to watch. Like Petter said,
it’s a nice way to end the season.”
And the final word has to go to Pernilla Solberg, PSRX Volkswagen Sweden
team principal, mother of Oliver and wife of Petter. Tell us, Pernilla,
will you be supporting Oliver or Petter?
Pernilla: “A Solberg, for sure! And Johan, naturally!”
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