Oliver Solberg couldn’t have done more to win the New England Forest Rally. Driving Subaru Motorsports USA’s WRX STI, he dominated the timesheets and won 10 of 13 stages. He was second fastest on the opener.
 
But… a puncture and a delamination on the other two stages cost Oliver and co-driver Denis Giraudet more than 10 minutes and left them fifth overall.
 
The first tyre problem came on the third stage and dropped him to 24th overall. From then on, Oliver knew his hopes of backing up his Olympus Rally win from earlier in the year were finished.
 
“That problem destroyed the rally,” said the 17-year-old. “From then on it was about keeping the concentration and maintaining a good driving rhythm.
 
“This is the sport, sometimes these things happen and it’s really important to be able to react to that situation, keep cool and drive. Of course it’s frustrating and all the time I want to do the best I can to make the best result for Subaru and for the team. But this wasn’t possible this time.
 
“You have to look at what is possible and achieve that – I think we did that with the fastest times.”
 
The rally was won by Oliver’s team-mate David Higgins.
 
For Oliver, New England brings a three-week road trip to a close. 
 
“It’s quite nice to be going home now,” said Oliver, “but if I had the chance I would start this all again!”