Account not yet settled
Manfred Stohl still has an account to settle with the Rally of Spain. Following his testing-accident last year the 35-year-old Austrian had finished in twelfth overall place. Stohl: “Each time we cut Ilka’s and my own ribs hurt like hell. Which made it very hard to focus on driving. Besides that I really like it in Spain. But one surely can’t compare this rally to the WRC-run in Germany. The grip should be much stronger here. And that definitely suits us.“ In any case, the OMV driver hopes for a problem-free rally since at the last three events retirements and technical problems were the rule rather than the exception.
Great Spain-balance
Francois Duval can look back on an impeccable balance in Spain. In 2003 he came in fourth with a Ford Focus WRC. In 2005 he finished second in the Citroen Xsara WRC and last year saw him in sixth place in a Skoda Fabia WRC. Therefore the Belgian OMV driver is a legitimate candidate for a podium place. Duval’s second place in Germany also had another positive consequence since, beside Spain, he will also compete in the OMV Kronos Citroen Xsara WRC in the next tarmac WRC-run in Corsica which will take place one week later. Duval: “I am very happy that I was offered this opportunity. It proves that success is being rewarded. I hope that I will be able to return the favour by reaching further top results.”