Unfortunately no spectators
Manfred Stohl had already completed almost 36 kilometres of the fourth special stage which lead over 43,88 kilometres. But then he approached a left turn too fast and slipped – rear first – into a ditch beside the road. Even though the Citroen Xsara WRC remained completely undamaged the OMV driver was not able to get back onto the road again.
Stohl: “It is a pity. I had a really good feeling at that time and we were also very fast on our way. Alas, too fast for that turn, as well. We didn’t slip too far off the road, too. Just far enough as not to be able to get back onto the course on our own. Unfortunately there were no spectators at that spot. In fact, not a single one. That was it then for the first day of the rally. Now we will start within SupeRally on Saturday and see what is still possible. It will be a good training under racing conditions, in any case.”