While most of the headlines on the final day of a dramatic Rally New Zealand centred around the leading drivers, it must not be forgotten that the most decorated person to come out of event was in fact
Henning Solberg.
Although he didn't win, claim a podium, or even score a point, Solberg's seven stage wins 18 meant his name was the most prolific at the top of the timesheets.
Furthermore, all of those stage wins came on day two and three after Solberg lost several minutes on the first three stages of the event after suffering power steering problems. Dropping him to 45th position, Solberg embarked on an immense comeback to just miss out on the points in ninth place.
Although he was undoubtedly helped by his advantageous road position, his dominant effort was still a fine achievement, not least because it also gave the Munchi's team a valuable additional point.
“We have made some good steps this rally and I will take a lot away from it. After our problems on Friday I got this opportunity to drive at my own pace and it allowed me to try new things and set some great times along the way.
“We threw away last year's notes and made new ones for this rally and I think this also helped a lot. It was great to set seven fastest stage times and also to finish ninth which meant we could score a point for the Munchi's team and help them in the championship.”
All in all a good rally for the small Argentine team after
Federico Villagra drove steadily to claim a single point for himself in eighth, as well as a pair of points for Munchi's as well.
“I am very happy to be here at the finish with both drivers' and manufacturers' points. It was our goal to finish in the top-eight on this event and that is exactly what we have achieved so I am very pleased with this. It has been a tough rally and we have had some small problems with the brakes but it is great to finish with no real problems all weekend.
