Sweden : OMV Kronos Citroen WRT - PreviewFor the first time this season the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team will compete with two cars at this weekends Swedish Rally. Following the solo-show by Manfred Stohl in Monte Carlo the team now gets reinforcements.
The
second Citroen Xsara WRC of the OMV Kronos Team will be steered by Daniel Carlsson and co-driver Denis Giraudet. The local hero reached third place last year at his home rally. And the fact that Manfred Stohl is in good form makes OMV Kronos Citroen Team Principal Marc Van Dalen confident, as well. He expects a podium place on the coming weekend.
It will be a double-premiere for Carlsson at the Sweden Rally. For the first time he will steer the Citroen Xsara WRC to the pace notes of his new co-driver, Frenchman Denis Giraudet. The new OMV driver is confident, nevertheless: “I didn't get too many opportunities to test the new car so far. But I am sure that we will get along with the Xsara very well. It is surely an advantage that I will start into the season at my home rally. Yet I am convinced that we will be even stronger barely two weeks from now in Norway. But I definitely plan to fight for a podium place in front of my fans in Sweden. Their support will push me to a peak performance.“
Manfred Stohl hasn't had much luck at the Sweden Rally so far.
In 2004 the 34-year-old Austrian had to retire following a spectacular rollover during the shakedown. And in 2006 Stohl had been in excellent fifth overall place, just behind this year's team-mate Carlsson, when a missing snow wall forced him into SupeRally. This year the OMV duo Stohl/Minor plans to do better. Stohl: “As a matter of principle I really love driving on snow. Unfortunately this has not yet brought in a good final result. But I am convinced that we will be able to compete for points this weekend. The Xsara WRC is definitely competitive. Now it is up to us. And I hope to meet some requited love this time around in Sweden – since I really like this rally very much.“
Prior to the beginning of the recce on Tuesday Stohl and OMV Team-mate Daniel Carlsson completed one day of testing on Monday.
Marc Van Dalen, Team Principal of the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team, is confident for the second run to the FIA World Rally Championship. He expects a podium place for both Carlsson/Giraudet and Stohl/Minor do have the potential for it.
“We didn't have much time for preparation prior to the first rally in Monte Carlo. But this time around we are perfectly prepared and very confident for the Sweden Rally. Daniel has already proven that he can reach the podium in Sweden. And I am sure that Manfred, as an Austrian, basically grew up driving on snow. Furthermore, it will be important that we gather points for the manufacture ranking.“
Currently the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team lies in fourth place with two points. But in Monte Carlo Manfred Stohl and Ilka Minor had been on their own.
OMV Kronos Citroen WRT
