PICS: Henning 're-models' 307 in Oz off.
OMV Peugeot's Henning Solberg was the sole 'works' retirement on the Rally Australia over the weekend, the fourteenth round in the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship.
Henning was one of six 'manufacturer' backed drivers' to encounter problems on the opening day along with the likes of Subaru number two driver, Chris Atkinson, Stobart VK's Matthew Wilson and Luis Perez Companc and BP Ford team leader, Marcus Gronholm - although the latter did not retire after his off in SS3, he just lost over 10 minutes!
OMV Peugeot's Henning Solberg was the sole 'works' retirement on the Rally Australia over the weekend, the fourteenth round in the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship.
Henning was one of six 'manufacturer' backed drivers' to encounter problems on the opening day along with the likes of Subaru number two driver, Chris Atkinson, Stobart VK's Matthew Wilson and Luis Perez Companc and BP Ford team leader, Marcus Gronholm - although the latter did not retire after his off in SS3, he just lost over 10 minutes!
Henning's moment came on the second run through Murray North [SS6], when he was caught-out on a left hand corner and rolled his OMV-backed Peugeot 307 WRC car 50 metres off the stage, chopping down no less than ten trees in the incident.
"We got off the ideal line during a very fast left turn which you drive at full speed," explained Henning. "At such a moment you don't stand a chance on this loose gravel. We took off right into the woods. I don't even remember whether I turned over."
The Norwegian and his co-driver, Cato Menkerud, who had been sixth overall, were uninjured in the incident. However, unlike the other casualties on day one, they were unable to re-start on Saturday under the SupeRally as the car was too heavily damaged.
