Now available from HPI Racing is a 1/43 scale diecast replica of the Subaru Impreza 2006 WRC driven in the WRC Rally Japan by Petter Solberg. This version is packed with features that make it an exact replica of the car run in the event... off-road wheels and tires, window sun shields, and all of the correct logos and sponsors. The #5 factory Subaru is driven by factory ace Petter Solberg, the hero of worldwide Subaru rally fans.

These precision diecast metal models are 1/43 scale, a convenient size for any desk or display case. Incredible attention has been paid to make the shape of cars as true to scale as possible. Fine exterior details like radiators, disc brakes, brake calipers, mirrors, wings, exhaust, headlight buckets, mirrors, tow hooks, radio antennae and sponsor logos combine to make the models extremely realistic. Each car has a fully painted and detailed interior, complete with a roll cage, racing seat, fire extinguisher, steering wheel, dashboard and even defroster lines in the rear window. These models come mounted to a display platform that includes a clear plastic protective case, and the car can be easily removed from the platform for individual display.

Remember all of these fantastic recreations are made in limited quantities, once gone they will never be available again.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION [#5 - Petter Solberg / Subaru Impreza WRC 2006 Japan]

Petter "Hollywood" Solberg began his driving career on his parents' farm near Oslo, Norway, at the tender age of eight. At thirteen, however, he was already a champion - the Norwegian national radio-controlled car champion! But a career in larger machinery beckoned.

The Norwegian enjoyed a meteoric rise in the World Rally Championship after entering the WRC in 1998 with Ford's M-Sport team. In 2000, however, he switched to Prodrive's Subaru World Rally Team, and has become closely linked with the blue and yellow of Subaru.

Solberg would end up waiting until the 2002 Wales Rally GB to win his first WRC event, as the 2001 season saw him run in a supporting role for his teammate, the late Richard Burns, who won the title that season.

2003, however, saw Solberg battle a quick young driver by the name of Sebastien Loeb in the Wales Rally GB to win his first WRC title - beginning a celebration that would lead to Solberg earning the nickname "Hollywood."  In addition to the title, Solberg has thirteen WRC Rally wins on his resume.

However, the 2006 season saw Solberg accumulate no wins, and the Rally Japan, where he was partnered on the Subaru World Rally Team by Chris Atkinson and Toshihiro Arai, was the perfect illustration of how his season went. Solberg showed his innate speed was well and truly intact, as he jostled for a top-three position early in the first day before braking problems slowed him to tenth. The next day saw him storm up the board back to seventh after setting quickest time on two of the day's stages, but the final day, his braking problems resurfaced and he wound up eight, right behind the Japanese Arai.

Solberg, who would end up finishing the season sixth in the championship, was less than impressed with his Rally Japan.

"We watched the battle at the top of the rally and I wish I was involved," he said. "I can't wait to get back into those fights again. There's a lot of hard work from all of us to be done."