Sweden : OMV Kronos Citroen WRT - Leg 1The OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team has finished the first leg of the Swedish Rally with both pilots within scoring ranks. Local hero Daniel Carlsson lies in seventh place following a sensational race to catch up. The Austrian
OMV Team Manfred Stohl and Ilka Minor currently take eighth overall place. But they are not far behind the top ranks.
Daniel Carlsson and Denis Giraudet are getting a better and better grip on the Citroen Xsara WRC. Following 19th place at the initial special stage on Thursday evening the 30-year-old Swede started a race to catch up.
While Friday morning was still under the sign of getting to know car and conditions, the afternoon saw the OMV duo were not too far from the front-runners.
With third-best overall time on stage seven, Carlsson demonstrated for the first time what could be possible at his home rally. After the first leg he lies in seventh overall place in the intermediate standings.
“Considering that it is a new car and that I also have a new co-driver I am rather content," said Carlsson. "In the afternoon we accepted some time loss on the first two special stages in order to attack on the long special stage. That payed off.
I am very confident that we will move up even further on Saturday. After all, we are only 21,5 seconds behind the podium."
Manfred Stohl also believes in an improved performance on Saturday. So far the 34-year-old Austrian has had a trouble-free rally – except for the choice of tyres which could have been better in the afternoon.
Stohl chose 8 millimetres long spikes when a shorter version might have been more efficient. “It is extremely slippery," said Stohl. "But that is the same for all drivers. Perhaps I was a bit too cautious. Yet I am not discontent since I am not far behind. Tomorrow we will face a very long leg with almost 142 SS-kilometres. Then the overall ranking will surely look differently."
OMV Citroen Kronos WRT
