Catalunya - OMV Kronos Citroën WRT - Leg 2It was a racy start into the second day of the Rally of Spain for Francois Duval. Immediately on the first special stage, the OMV driver reached third-best time, only 1.1 seconds behind Marcus Grönholm's best-time. A feat that he
repeated on SS 10.
Thus the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team was able to extend the lead on their pursuer, former World Champion Petter Solberg, to 33.6 seconds by the end. This was also due to two third places on special stages 7 and 10.
On the other hand, that also seems to be the limit since the gap of 45.5 seconds on fourth-placed Ford works driver Mikko Hirvonen will probably prove to be too big to make up on the remaining four special stages on Sunday.
"Weather conditions were perfect today, no rain, bright sunshine. But we've already pushed the Citroen Xsara WRC as far as it would go. If no top-place driver drops out we'll focus on securing fifth place tomorrow," explains Duval.
Following their rollover on the third special stage on Friday, the Austrian duo of Manfred Stohl/Ilka Minor had to retire from the Rally of Spain. And since it never rains but pours it is currently uncertain whether Stohl will be able to compete at all at the Rallye de France – Tour de Corse which will commence in less than a week.
"The Citroen was quite heavily damaged in the accident. The FIA will have to decide whether we will start in Corsica. Currently everything's in a limbo," says Stohl.
Source OMV Kronos Citroën WRT
