SUBARU driver Petter Solberg celebrated his 28th birthday in style by winning last weekend's Network Q Rally GB - his first WRC win.

His efforts in the Cardiff-based event also boosted him into second place overall in the drivers' championship and the Norwegian plans to go one better next year by clinching the world title.

He said: "Next year it should be possible to win the championship because I've done all the rallies now.

"I've got the experience and I've a good feeling in the car and tyres and everything, so it should be possible to do good things."

Solberg's win on the Network Q Rally went down to the final day as he sought to overhaul Ford's young driver Marko Martin, who was second.

After world champion Marcus Gronholm crashed out of the rally in spectacular style, Solberg and Martin ran closely at the top of the leader board before Solberg pulled out a 20-second advantage on the final stages.

"It's my first full season and all I wanted to do was to get experience of the rallies and get ready for the following years," said Ford driver Martin. "I think next year could be quite a bit better than this one.

"I didn't take any risks and that made the difference. Petter drove at 100 per cent and I was at 99 per cent, but we built the year gradually and it was a wonderful end."

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson sees Martin as a successor to Sainz who, with Colin McRae, has left the team.

But there was no joy for Hampshire-based Justin Dale, who was given a last-minute call to join the works Mitsubishi team, deputising for the injured Alister McRae.

The 31-year-old from Stockbridge crashed out on the first day after low sun blinded him.

With the season now finished the teams are regrouping in preparation for the 2003 season opener in Monte Carlo in January.

Colin McRae has switched from Ford to Citron, Carlos Sainz has also left the blue Opal and is looking for a new team, while the youngsters at Subaru and Ford are gearing up for the start of a new generation of front-runners vying for the championship, which will next year be defended by Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm.