Petter Solberg fastest on SS9, takes provisional 3rd

Ford’s driver Petter Solberg charged through the stage and with fastest time managed to move ahead of another Norwegian, Mads Ostberg. Solberg is now occupying 3rd step of the podium ahead of the final stage later this evening.

“I really liked this stage and the car is fantastic! I am still learning but feeling is so good”, Solberg said at the end of SS 9. With Ostberg losing over 12 seconds on this stage Solberg is now 11.6 seconds ahead of his younger compatriot.

At the top Jari-Matti Latvala added few more seconds and is now 17.2 ahead of Mikko Hirvonen. Latter was 8th fastest on SS 9 and complained of his tires. With time lost on ninth stage Hirvonen came within striking distance of Petter Solberg and with 2.8 seconds separating the two we’re in for an exciting battle for all three podium places.

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