Arctic Rally debut for Solberg
- Oliver Solberg looking forward to making his debut in the Hyundai i20 R5
- Private entry on Arctic Lapland Rally offers early-season seat time
- 19-year-old Solberg impressed with the i20 following first test
- Hyundai Motorsport star hoping to find time to thank Joulupukki
Oliver Solberg heads north, far north, to make his competitive debut in a Hyundai i20 R5 at next week’s Arctic Lapland Rally.
The Hyundai Motorsport driver tested an i20 R5 for the first time close to his Torsby home in Sweden earlier this week and is now looking forward to a competitive debut at one of the world’s most infamous winter rallies.
“The Hyundai i20 R5 felt really nice in the test this week,” said Solberg. “It’s good to experience a new car for the first time — especially when the conditions on the road are so nice. The roads were full snow with big snow banks, some of the best conditions I ever had to drive with.
“When you have good, consistent conditions, it helps to make an interesting first impression with a new car. I’m happy with the i20, the engine feels strong and we made a good first test. Of course, I have to spend more time with the car. I have to get to know the i20 more and more and find my way with it. That’s what I am looking forward to doing in Finland next week, but already I am very happy and comfortable with it.”
Solberg’s first competitive outing in 2021 also brings a first appearance in Finland, a country widely regarded as the sport’s spiritual home.
“I think we all know how much rallying means in Finland,” said Oliver. “The plan was to go to Neste Rally [Finland] last year, but we all know that didn’t happen, so my first time is in Arctic Lapland Rally — this is also a big adventure.
“I heard a lot of stories about this one, where we have really low temperatures and a proper, proper winter. I did some work looking at some of the onboards, studying some of the video from previous years and the roads look fast.
“I know I am saying this about all the rallies I’m doing, but I can’t wait for this one. Christmas has been nice, a good time to relax, but I’m not so good for relaxing inside. I need to be outside and outside in a rally car!”
As usual, the Rovaniemi-based Arctic Lapland Rally, which starts on Friday, qualifies as a round of the Finnish Rally Championship, which will mean plenty of Rally2 competition for Oliver and co-driver Aaron Johnston.
“I know there will be a lot of fast drivers there,” said Oliver, “and I know experience is counting for a lot when you are driving in Finland. For me, this is the first time I compete in the Hyundai i20 R5 and the first time I drive on this rally, so I will just focus most on what I am doing. I need to take the experience and to get to understand more of the car. When you are testing, all the time you are on the same piece of road. Next week, the rally is different.”
As well as the rally, no visit to Lapland and Rovaniemi would be complete without a visit to one man. Will Oliver be going?
“I don’t know,” he smiled. “I know he has been a busy guy recently, maybe he’s taking some time off now. Definitely, he brought me the best present ever last month!”
Joulupukki — a Finnish figure also known as Father Christmas or Saint Nicolas — will be present in his Rovaniemi home and is reportedly looking forward to meeting Hyundai Motorsport’s latest recruit.
