Solberg dominates Rally of Japan

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

OBIHIRO, Japan (AFP) — Norway's world champion Petter Solberg was firmly in the driving seat after the second day of the inaugural Rally of Japan, the 11th race in the 16-race World Rally Championship.

Solberg, who had started the day in his Subaru Impreza with a 13 second lead over world championship leader Sebastien Loeb of France, raced ahead consistently throughout the day's 11 special stages.

Loeb, in a Citroen Xsara, remained in second place ahead of Estonia's Markko Martin in a Ford Focus and Carlos Sainz of Spain in a Citroen Xsara.

With the conditions on Hokkaido island changing dramatically overnight, Solberg appeared to make the better choice of tyres to cope with the slippery surfaces.

"We made a mistake with our tyres," Loeb said. "We...