The son for the President of the Finnish Motorsport Federation (AKK) and the younger brother of a successful rally driver Mika Sohlberg, Kristian Sohlberg started competing at the age of 15 when he entered to ice races with a VW Beetle. Soon speed came an enjoyment to a young and ambitious guy. It lead into purchase of a Ford Escort RS2000 rally car.
Ín his first competition season 1997 Kristian started his rally career as a b-junior and completed races with variable success. Season 1997 final rally led into victory and Kristian gained position of A-junior.
In his second rallying season, 1998, Kristian rallied in Finnish Junior Rally Championship and other various rallies as A-junior. In season 1999 Kristian sold his Ford Escort RS2000 and purchased group-F Toyota Starlet. His best result in season 1999 was 3rd position in Finnish Junior Rally Championship serie. In same season Kristian rallied 10 other rallies where he successed eight victories.
IIn season 2000 Kristian stepped into world of Finnish Rally Championship. Season best result was 5th place in Rally of Uusikaupunki. WRC-rounds in Sweden and Finland ended with dissapointing retirements.
In summer of season 2001 Kristian gained his best result by winning a international rally in Germany. He also gained 4th place in Finnish Championships with group-N Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI.
Season 2002 was the breakthru for World Rally Championship. Kristian entered and rallied in FIA Production Car World Rally Championship. He was very competitive and consistent in the series. However three dissapointing retirements forced him to satisfy for 2nd place in the series. Season 2002 and the result prooved Kristian has potential for becoming a Champion.
Time |
Rally |
Result |
01-03.02.2002 |
WRC Sweden (PWRC) |
1st |
|
WRC France (Corsica) (PWRC) |
Retirement |
19-21.04.2002 |
WRC Cyprus (PWRC |
Retirement |
01-02.06.2002 |
San Marino European Rally, Italy |
7th |
29-30.06.2002 |
International Pirelly Rally, Finland |
3rd |
17-19.07.2002 |
San Martino European Rally, Italy |
2nd |
10-11.08.2002 |
WRC Finland (PWRC) |
2nd |
23-25.08.2002 |
WRC Germany (PWRC) |
2nd |
04-06.10.2002 |
WRC New Zealand (PWRC) |
1st |
01-03.11.2002 |
WRC Australia (PWRC) |
Retirement |
For the season 2003 Kristian had a plan to contest the Junior World Rally Championship, but suddenly came a possibility to become the first driver to agree a customer programme with Ralliart Europe and to tackle three rounds in the World Rally Championship in a works-specification World Rally Car run by the Team Mitsubishi Ralliart customer program. His best result in season 2003 was 14th place on the Germany in the outmoded Lancer WRC02, but he had held sixth before crashing in New Zealand and convinced Mitsubishi´s new chief Sven Quandt that he has the potential for better things.
Time |
Rally |
Result |
23-25.01.2003 |
Arctic Lapland European Rally, Finland |
Retirement |
07-09.02.2003 |
WRC Sweden |
12th |
09-13.04.2003 |
WRC New Zealand |
Keskeytys |
23-27.07.2003 |
WRC Germany |
14th |
For season 2004 Kristian with his backgroud team made a contract with Mitsubishi. Due the agreement Kristian shared second works-Mitsubishi WRC in selected rounds to gain WRC experience. However at the end of the season Mitsubishi didn't use option for season 2005 and therefore Kristian was left without a seat in WRC.
Time |
Rally |
Result |
05-08.02.2004 |
WRC Sweden |
Retirement |
14-14.03.2004 |
WRC Mexico |
Retirement |
16-18.04.2004 |
WRC New Zealand |
Retirement |
14-16.05.2004 |
WRC Cyprus |
Retirement |
15-18.07.2004 |
WRC Argentina |
Retirement |
06-08.08.2004 |
WRC Finland |
Retirement |
08-09.10.2004 |
Valvoline Finnish Rally, Hyvinkää |
Retirement |
During the season 2005 Sohlberg rallied in Finnish Rally Championship with Mitsubishi Lancer WRC Step-2 rally car and gained bronze medal in the series. He also rallied in selected WRC events with Turkis Atolye Kazaz private WRC team with their Subaru Impreza WRC S10 and Ford Focus WRC'02 rally cars. Season was taughtful. Good results gave extra boost for season 2006. In Finnish Rally Championship Kristian showed his speed to be very competitive.
Time |
Rally |
Result |
25-28.01.2005 |
Arctic Lapland Rally, Rovaniemi |
2nd |
09-12.02.2005 |
WRC Sweden, Karlstadt |
Retirement |
18-19.02.2005 |
SM Vaakuna rally, Mikkeli |
6th |
11-12.03.2005 |
SM Peurunkarally, Laukaa |
3rd |
18-19.06.2005 |
SM Waltikkarally, Valkeakoski |
6th |
22-24.06.2005 |
WRC Greece, Athens |
11th |
29-31.06.2005 |
European Rally in Azores |
Retirement |
15-16.07.2005 |
SM O.K Auto rally, Kouvola |
2nd |
29-30.07.2005 |
International Pirelli rally, Tampere |
1st |
06-08.08.2005 |
WRC Finland, Jyväskylä |
Retirement |
| 09-10.09.2005 |
SM Uusikaupunki rally |
13rd |
| 01-02.10.2005 |
SM Valvoline rally, Hyvinkää |
Retirement |
Season 2006 promised a lot. Kristian continued his rally career with Atolye Kazaz private Subaru Impreza WRC with his co-driver Kaj Lindström. However the main events of the season, WRC Sweden and WRC Finland Kristian was forced to retire due technical difficulties in the begining of the rallies. In WRC Sardinia (Italy) Kristian gained his best-ever performance in WRC by finishing the rally to 6th place.
Time |
Rally |
Result |
Report |
| 26-28.01.2006 |
Arctic Lapland Rally, Rovaniemi |
3rd |
Report |
03-05.02.2006 |
WRC Sweden |
Retirement |
Report |
18-21.05.2006 |
WRC Sardinia (Italy) |
6th |
Report |
18-20.08.2006 |
WRC Finland |
Retirement |
Report |
In past few years the World Rally Championship has been turned from ultimate competition into playground of rich drivers. Nowadays it is not important how you drive because only your wallet size matters. This is why me and my background team decided to seek better solutions to show my skills. And this was the reason I rallied in PWRC.
Season 2007 started well with two bronze medals but after two retirements I lost battle for the Championship. To my home event my background team gave me possibility to show my skills behind the steering wheel of WRC. Expectations were high but unfortunately those were hit to pieces only few hundred meters before the finish line of second stage. Broken bottom arm caused me to crash out from the game in a fast paced left corner. Sadly my season 2007 ended with hard feelings.
Time |
Rally |
Result |
Report |
| 09-11.02.2007 |
Uddeholm Swedish Rally, Karlstadt |
3rd |
Report |
09-11.03.2007 |
Meksikon MM-ralli, Leon |
3rd |
Report |
04-06.04.2007 |
Argentiinan MM-ralli, Cordoba |
Retirement |
Report |
01-03.06.2007 |
Kreikan MM-ralli, Ateena |
Retirement |
Report |
| 03-05.08.2007 |
Suomen MM-ralli, Jyväskylä |
Retirement |
Report |
|
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