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Petter Solberg targets further success at Lydden Hill

Crowd favourite Petter Solberg tops a record 37-car entry all gunning for glory in the UK's first ever round of the exciting new FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy.

The 39-year-old Norwegian superstar arrives at Lydden Hill in Kent for the AUTOSPORT World RX of Great Britain (24-25 May) leading the World RX standings after winning the opening round held earlier this month in Portugal.

"I'm really looking forward to Lydden," enthused Solberg who is nicknamed ‘Hollywood' on account of his extrovert personality. "The circuit is a lot of fun to drive, because of all the elevation: it's a bit like a mini-Spa. I have to say that Pat Doran [circuit owner] has done a great job: you can see that he's put a lot of investment into the track to make it fantastic for the drivers and the spectators too."

Petter is no stranger to success in the UK and is loved by British fans. As a member of the iconic Subaru World Rally Team he won Wales Rally GB, Britain's round of the FIA World Rally Championship, no fewer than four times. He also clinched the 2003 World Rally Championship title on British soil before switching back to the sport of rallycross at the start of last season.

"The British fans are so enthusiastic, with a passion for the sport just like mine," he said. "British people really ‘get' rallycross because it's always been part of their motor sport. And of course I have lots of fans in Britain, too, because we won the Rally GB many times, including my world title. So I'm very, very happy to be coming."

Having competed at Lydden in the past, Solberg knows all about the challenges it presents. "The layout is quite technical but you also need commitment and bravery," he explained. "The secret is probably just to carry as much momentum as possible into the corners, but for that you need a good chassis set-up. Rallycross is all about finding the best all-round compromise. It would be easy for me to make a car that was mighty on the asphalt, for example, but you might lose out on the gravel. That's especially the case for Lydden, with all the high-speed transitions."

After now scoring his maiden World RX with his PSRX run Citroen DS3 Supercar, Petter is aiming to build on that performance as the thrilling new series prepares for its only UK appearance in 2014. "We won the first round in Portugal, which was great, but that just makes me all the more determined to carry on like this for the rest of the season. That's why I can't wait to get to Lydden - it's going to be another absolutely fantastic weekend," he predicted with a big grin.

Following a sell-out crowd in Portugal, the World RX is expecting another packed house in Britain - indeed advanced ticket sales for the AUTOSPORT World RX of Great Britain are at record levels. Tickets are available via either the official www.lyddenhill.co.uk website or the Ticket Hotline on 0844 858 8518 (calls cost 6p per minute plus network extras). Discounts of up to 20 per cent are on offer for those booking before the mid-night deadline on Tuesday 20 May. Tickets purchased after 9am on Friday 16 May, however, will not be posted but available for collection at the venue. Accompanied children aged 12 and under are admitted free.