Rally Norway : OMV Peugeot Norway - Preview
The OMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team (Peugeot 307 WRC) is facing its next assignment just five days after the WRC round in Sweden: Henning Solberg/Cato Menkerud will compete at the Rally Norway.

A rally that consists of 300 SS-kilometres, taking place from February, 10th to 11th 2006 in the vicinity of Hamar. Perfect snow conditions make for equally perfect road conditions. The work of the teams is eased by an indoor service park – about 13.000 sqm are at the disposal of the rally teams in the “Hamar Olympic Hall”.

In good company
Henning Solberg is in the best of companies. Among others Daniel Carlsson (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC) and Thomas Radström (Subaru S10 WRC) will also be competing. “Of course I want to win this event in my native country but right now I`m feeling the pressure,” says the OMV driver, adding: “It`s going to be a tough fight and I don`t want to disappoint the fans – I`ll give my best even if the mates who now Sweden inside out are highly motivated, as well.”

Perfect course conditions
Co-driver Cato Menkerud is equally impressed by the event: “We`ve got a lot of snow – perfect road conditions for us. I`m sure that the spectators will be enthused – Norway is ready for the WRC.”



Viking ship as harbourage
The Hamar Olympic Hall is also lovingly called viking ship in Norway. The 13.000 sqm large hall was built for the speed skating events at the 17th Olympic Winter Games 1994. Currently it is being used as harbourage by the rally teams. “The indoor service park eases work immeasurably for my crew. After all, we had a lot of work to do after Sweden. That is definitely easier to accomplish with a roof over your head and plus degrees and lightens the whole crew`s mood,” says OMV Peugeot Norway Team Manager Jacky Bozian.

278 special stage kilometres on 14 special stages
The Rally Norway will commence on Friday (February, 10th) in Hamar at 7.00 (local time). 14 special stages with an overall length of 278,31 kilometres are scheduled from Friday to Saturday (February 10th – 11th). The overall length measures exactly 912,92 kilometres. The surface consists to 100% of snow. The finishing line will be crossed on Saturday (February, 11th) at 17:41 (local time) in Hamar.

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