Solberg set the fastest times in both the free practice and the subsequent qualifying stage. The 4.64-kilometre qualifying special stage in Galtryggen was extremely close, with the top ten drivers within a mere 1.4 seconds.
The younger Solberg has initiated a friendly competition against his father, the 2003 world champion Petter Solberg, who is also competing after a long break. At least in the qualifying stage, the younger Solberg was clearly faster than his father, as Petter was 3.5 seconds behind his son. Solberg Senior was only the 17th fastest in the qualifying stage.
The second fastest in the qualifying stage was local driver Isak Reiersen, who was just three-tenths of a second slower than Solberg. Latvian Martins Sesks, driving a Toyota, was third, followed by Miko Marczyk and the better-known rallycross driver Johan Kristoffersson. Finland’s Mikko Heikkilä was the sixth fastest in the qualifying, just under a second off the lead.
Norwegian Mads Østberg surprisingly ended up 11th in the qualifying. He had been the second fastest in free practice, but in the qualifying stage, he was one and a half seconds behind Solberg.
The Royal Rally of Scandinavia starts on Thursday evening with a 2.23-kilometre spectator special stage. The rally features a total of 17 special stages, covering just over 191 kilometres.
Royal Rally of Scandinavia, qualifying stage results:
1. Oliver Solberg Skoda 1:55.269 2. Isak Reiersen Skoda 1:55.301 3. Martins Sesks Toyota 1:55.944 4. Miko Marczyk Skoda 1:55.948 5. J. Kristoffersson VW 1:56.193 6. Mikko Heikkilä Skoda 1:56.238 7. Hayden Paddon Hyundai 1:56.271 8. Frank Tore Larsen VW 1:56.285 9. Eyvind Brynildsen VW 1:56.357 10. Mathieu Franceschi Skoda 1:56.690 11. Mads Östberg Citroen 1:56.744 12. Efren Llarena Skoda 1:56.924
