Rally driver Petter Solberg destroys swathes of vineyard and an electricity
pylon during a spectacular rally crash in Strasbourg, France.


Norway's Petter Solberg lost his chance of a podium finish in the Rally of
France Alsace on Saturday when he crashed out in bizarre fashion.


Solberg, who started the day in fourth place, veered off the road on the
opening stage, careered through a vineyard, over the road and into another
vineyard before crashing into a utility pole.


The pole then fell, narrowly missing spectators who had come to aid Solberg.
The wires earthed to a car and wires in the vineyard, producing sparks and
puffs of smoke.


Solberg retired from the event and there were no reports of any injuries.