Stohl and Solberg pleased with resultsLast weekend the OMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team successfully completed the first tests with the Peugeot 307 WRC. Due to snow and ice these initial tests had to be relocated from the planned site in Grenoble. The team, supervised by Bozian Racing, reacted efficiently and fast: on Saturday and Sunday the tests were held about 80 kilometres from Lyon under ideal circumstances emulating the conditions of the Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo.
Conditions à la Monte Carlo
The first test kilometres had been planned for Friday. But ice and snow on the booked site in Grenoble prevented feasible tests. The decision was made to relocate into the vicinity of Lyon where two courses were available. On Saturday tests were held on 3,3 kilometres of partly snow-covered surface while 2,1 kilometres on tarmac surface were one Sunday`s schedule.
New friends for Manfred Stohl and Henning Solberg
“The initial impressions of the Peugeot 307 WRC were fine but I`ve learned not to rely on feelings too much. The first rallies will show how we really will be getting along," OMV driver Manfred Stohl explains. Teammate Henning Solberg is impressed by the engine power of his new vehicle: “I`m very confident for my first start in Monte Carlo. The team has prepared the car perfectly."
Ballast discharged
In the beginning Manfred Stohl had to wrestle with the vehicle length which is 20 cm longer than the one of his car last year. But the problem was duly solved. Said the OMV driver, tongue firmly in cheek: “After a few kilometre the front and rear bumper were missing – and we were back at the old measurements."
Presently the preparations for the first rally are running at full speed. The OMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team is on its way to Monte Carlo where the training for the 74th Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo will commence on Tuesday.
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