Sweden Rally 2006: OMV Peugeot Norway - Shakedown
The Uddeholm Swedish Rally is definitely something special for all teams. And the OMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team is no exception. During the shakedown on the four kilometres long course one could see the joy on each driver`s face.
Manfred Stohl even completed the course eleven times. Henning Solberg was still testing tyres and set-up but he is almost completely satisfied with his Peugeot 307 WRC.

Devious Stohl corner
Two years ago Manfred Stohl had to bury his hopes already during the shakedown of the Swedish Rally. Drifting off the road his roll bar was so severely damaged that the OMV driver was not allowed to compete. This year the OMV Team Stohl/Minor wanted to take a real close look at this section and completed the shakedown course no less than eleven times. Now they not only know the “Stohl corner” inside out but they also reached second-best shakedown time. Stohl: “It was real fun. Bozian Racing has perfectly prepared the Peugeot. Now the seat is in the right position and I have a better overview. And I also realised how devious this ‘Stohl corner` from two years ago really is. But I`m confidently looking forward to the weekend.“

Grip on the car
Henning Solberg also did exhaustive tyre and set-up testing on Thursday morning. The car was still reacting a bit nervously but it should be in order by the time of the start on Friday. “I`m content to 97 percent. The Peugeot seems to be perfect. And I`m also feeling right at home in Sweden,“ the Norwegian OMV driver said and added: “I`ve got a great starting position for Friday and am really looking forward to this rally.”

Tracks in the snow
On the first day OMV driver Manfred Stohl won`t have any luck searching for tracks in the snow. Being the third car in starting order all special stages will be unchartered territory. Stohl: “That is surely a disadvantage. I don`t have too much experience here. That is why I`m convinced that drivers with a higher starting number, like Galli, Petter Solberg but also my OMV teammate Henning will achieve excellent times. Then again, Loeb also will have to deal with this since he will take up the race from second position.” Stohl was favourably surprised by compatriot Andreas Aigner of the Red Bull Skoda Team: “He completed a sensational shakedown. It looked positively awesome.”

130,89 special stage kilometres
The Uddeholm Swedish Rally will commence on Friday at 06:50 local time in Hagfors. Six special stages with an SS-length of 130,89 kilometres are scheduled for the first day. The first car is expected back at the service in Hagfors at 17:31 local time.

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