Solberg goes Stateside!

Petter Solberg, the man they call 'Hollywood', got the chance to live the dream last weekend when he flew to Los Angeles for a promotional trip hosted by Subaru America.

Solberg was in the USA as special guest at the American Championship 'Rim of The World Rally' based 70kms from Los Angeles in the town of Palmdale California.

Although the sport of rallying isn't yet as popular in the states as it is in Europe, its popularity is growing rapidly. And thanks to three hours of TV coverage per WRC round on the American Speed channel, and the promotional efforts of teams like Subaru World Rally Team USA, more than 800 enthusiastic Subaru owners turned up to meet their hero!

On Friday morning Solberg donned his race-suit and gave four promotional rides in a Group N Impreza on a private stage in the hills surrounding Palmdale. From there it was back to rally HQ and the chance to meet some of his fans at an autograph session. One hour later and the queue still hadn't gone down much - but it was time to take a break and give a lucky prize draw winner the ride of his life around the Palmdale Super-special stage.

There was more signing on Saturday, and as Solberg handed out time-cards to the rally competitors even they were keen to get a reminder of the visit. At least three drivers had their race-suits signed, most programmes bore his name, and the winning car in the production car class crossed the ramp with Solberg's autograph on its bonnet!

Next up was a charity auction for another spin around the super special with Solberg. Bidding started at $100, but quickly rose to $400, $500, $600... in the end a bidding frenzy between two (female) admirers was settled with a bid of $1200. ''Quite cheap'' according to Solberg. The lucky winner certainly got her money's worth. In front of hundreds of spectators Solberg thrashed the Subaru around the stage before stopping half-way, performing a few donuts, and waving to the crowd while perched on the roof of the car - apparently steering with his feet is something he learnt when he was a rallycross driver...

Sunday. And by 11am things had changed. The rally over, Solberg moved down to LA for a day of filming with a TV crew from rally broadcasters ISC. Their brief was to record Solberg's day in tinseltown - and they managed to do quite a lot. From climbing up to the Hollywood sign, driving a 1950's Mexico rally car along Rodeo Drive, stopping for a burger in Beverly Hills and going a bit Baywatch in Santa Monica it was a busy day.