Prime Minister and Petter Solberg to open Rally Norway

On Thursday 9th February Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and  former World Champion Petter Solberg will carry out the official opening of Rally Norway, and wave the flag for the first car to start.

The following day the Prime Minister will follow the rally, accompanied by Petter Solberg as an expert guide.  David Richards, who ultimately owns the TV broadcasting rights to the WRC, will also be in the group.  Rally Norway has applied for WRC status from 2007 and David Richards, among others, has some nfluence over which events make it into the WRC calendar. In addition Stoltenberg will be introduced to representatives from the FIA, the international governing body of motorsport and sporting organisers of the WRC.

"Jens is backing Rally Norway like Gro did for Lillehammer (Winter Olympic Games 1994).  It's a very valuable signal, because we know what happened when Gro talked with Samaranch," says Rally Norway Managing Director Even Wiger.

The Prime Minister is also using Friday of Rally Norway to meet officials from the kommune (local government) and local business in the region, and he has scheduled time to meet school pupils and members of the public.

"We are looking forward to showing Stoltenberg that Rally Norway is an event that stimulates motivation and growth," adds Even Wiger.

Rally Norway, which is a candidate for the WRC this year, takes places on 10th and 11th February, with its HQ in Hamar.