At the beginning of the first day of the Rally of Spain OMV Kronos Citroen WRT-driver Francois Duval was still a bit cautious until he finally put his foot really down on the third special stage and proved that he belongs to the top drivers on tarmac. Result: best-time ahead of World Champion Sebastien Loeb (Fra/Citroen C4 WRC). And on the next stage third place meant another top result for the OMV driver in the Citroen Xsara WRC.
Hard and slippery
Following this conditions didn’t suit him as much anymore but he nevertheless securely stayed within scoring ranks. Duval: „It was a little bit too hard and slippery for my taste. The car was moving around a bit much.“ Thus the Belgian OMV driver and his French co Patrick Pivato finished the first day of the Rally of Spain in good fifth overall place – although only 9,6 seconds ahead of Petter Solberg (Nor/Subaru Impreza WRC), which promises a hot infight for Saturday.