Solberg vs. speed limit - pending ban for Rally Sweden

[Mr. S]

Petter Solberg has been given a suspended ban from Rally Sweden after being caught speeding on a road section during the Monte Carlo Rally last night.

The Ford driver, who finished third in the event, was caught doing 106km/h in a 50km/h limit at 21.10 local time on Saturday, following the final stage of leg four.

A statement from the organisers said: "On being questioned, the driver explained that indeed, he was accelerating at the said speed in trying to pass a slower car and in doing so, he passed the continuous centre line on the road, but was then braking immediately. He apologised for his lapse."

The stewards felt Solberg had infringed article 151c of the International Sporting Code by committing an "act prejudicial to the interest ... of motor sport generally".

Solberg was given a reprimand, a 1,400 euro fine and a suspended ban from the next event he contests, which will be Sweden. But the ban will be imposed retrospectively "should the driver commit any speeding offence of 50 per cent or more of an applicable speed limit in any of the next six WRC rallies in which he participates during the 2012 season" - so he risks disqualification from Sweden if caught speeding again.

Source

Well, so he at least admitted his misbehaviour - and to be frank: he's probably less of a danger than 80 year olds driving at half the speed allowed.

 

[Furinkazen]

Good to see Petter still as eager as ever after these years

(Why not go in WRC thread by the way?)

 

[Mr. S]

I was afraid it'd be overwhelmed by all the other things - besides, it's foo funny.

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

He got caught speeding in Sweden last year too and got a driving ban, his co-driver did the final stage.

 

[nitrorocks]

That is stupid. Was it during the Rally or was he just driving a regular car around? Because I remember in the Wales Rally GB a couple years ago, the police caught the drivers for speeding during the stages.

 

[Speedster502]

That is stupid. Was it during the Rally or was he just driving a regular car around? Because I remember in the Wales Rally GB a couple years ago, the police caught the drivers for speeding during the stages.

It was during the rally - on a road section between the stages. Same goes for the Wales Rally GB incidents you talk of. They can't get caught during the stages as that's where they are supposed to be going fast!

On the subject matter...I have the feeling this won't phase Solberg one tiny bit, especially considering he's done it before. I am however hoping that missing out on Sweden won't effect his championship hopes too much.

 

[niky]

Common for drivers to speed between stages. (Common but not right) Simply because they're always pressed for time. The sooner you get to the next section, the more time you have to rest or do repairs.

Not a big thing, really, but he should have known better. No need to go 50 km/h more than the other guy to overtake him...

 

[hawkeye122]

No Need? Yeah. But speaking from experience, I can tell you its much more fun

 

[niky]

Worst part is there was a continuous center line he crossed. I'm not sure if it means the same thing as here, but usually a continuous center line (often yellow) means it's dangerous (and illegal) to pass in that area.

 

[Azure Flare]

"Screw speed limits, I'm Petter Solberg!"

 

[Mr. S]

Worst part is there was a continuous center line he crossed. I'm not sure if it means the same thing as here, but usually a continuous center line (often yellow) means it's dangerous (and illegal) to pass in that area.

Same in Europe.

In this example, people could switch lanes from left to right but not from right to left.