Mixed feelings at the OMV Peugeot Norway WRT
The 74th edition of the Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo already had been a test of toughness for drivers during the training.
Snow and ice turned the special stages into quite an experience. And things got even worse during the shakedown.
OMV driver Manfred Stohl was the first to deal with the nine kilometres long stage. A test pilot-experience he will never forget. The glassy conditions had little in common with rallying.

Henning Solberg, on the other hand, already feels quite at home at his first assignment in the principality since snow and ice are hardly unchartered territory for the Norwegian.

Let`s slip and slide
Manfred Stohl didn`t take any liberties on Thursday. When the shakedown started in Sospel at precisely 8.00 the OMV driver was already in pole position. The OMV duo Stohl/Minor were the first to tackle the nine kilometre long stage. But the first turn had him already regret this early wake-up call. Stohl: “It was naked ice – and things got even worse at the second turn. I`ve never seen anything like it. My self-confidence is at a low point right now. I can only hope it will return in time for the start on Friday."

OMV team-mate Henning Solberg is obviously less concerned with the adverse conditions. "As a Norwegian one is used to these kind of conditions. My biggest challenge is the fact that this is my first WRC-run on tarmac," said the ex-world champion`s brother.

Storming the premiere
During the next days thousands of spectators are expected even though the special stages in the Sea Alps are difficult to access. In the early morning hours the shakedown in Sospel had already been downright stormed by fans. Which led to a surprise for Manfred Stohl.

"At the third turn I had a close encounter of the third kind: family sight-seeing, including the dog – in the middle of the road," recounts the somewhat shaken OMV driver.

Tags: manfred-stohl, omv, monte-carlo, peugeot-307, henning-solberg, yassen-popov,