Norway has been handed a late entry to the 2007 Race of Champions following confirmation that brothers Petter and
Henning Solberg will team up to take on not only title-winning teams such as France and Germany, but also Team Scandinavia, in the Wembley classic.
Despite flouting the initial premise of the competition, which used to pair one race and one rally star - and, at times, with two-wheeled champions as well - the Norwegians will carry
World Rally Championship honour to London, where they will face up to familiar opposition provided by the likes of
Sebastien Loeb and Marcus Gronholm, as well as the cream of the circuit racing world, including seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, multiple Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, three-time
WTCC king Andy Priaulx and Champ Car ace Sebastien Bourdais.
“We are very happy to invite Petter and Henning to the Race of Champions and the RoC Nations Cup,” said organising president Fredrik Johnsson, "This year, most countries are represented by two racing drivers or one racing and one rally driver, but Norway will be the exception with two very talented rally drivers known for their spectacular driving style!”
Just eight points separate the ultra-competitive Solberg siblings in fifth and sixth positions in the WRC standings, but that rivalry will be put aside for the 16 December event, where they will work together in pursuit of the Nations Cup and for the pride of their homeland in the individual Race of Champions.
“Fantastic!” was 2003 WRC champion Petter's reaction to Norway's inclusion, “This is the first time that Norway will be represented in the RoC Nations Cup and I think we will be a strong contender. I'm sure we will get the support of many Norwegian fans that will travel to Wembley.”
Although Petter has suffered a tough season in the works Subaru, brother Henning - a five-time Norwegian national rally champion - has surpassed expectation as part of the
Stobart M-Sport Ford team. Neither Solberg has contested the RoC before, and become the second set of brothers to compete, after Colin and Alister McRae both made the final in 1998. Ironically, the 2007 event is set to mark the untimely passing of the elder McRae, following his tragic helicopter crash earlier this year.
“It's a great honour to be invited and to represent Norway together with my brother,” said Henning, “It's going to be lots of fun.”
