Corona Rally Mexico 2006: OMV CEE WRT - Preview
Following Georgi Popov (Bul) in Monte Carlo, Stepan Vojtech will be competing in the Corona Rally Mexico as the second OMV driver in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship.

It is the second start for the Czech in the World Championship, following the OMV ADAC Rally. But it will be his first time in a series car and on gravel. Therefore expectations aren`t too high, especially since the whole P-WRC-elite will be competing at the third WRC round this season. Main goals are crossing the finish ramp on Sunday in Leon and gathering valuable race kilometres. For the Rally Mexico shall not remain the only WRC outing this year for the OMV driver.

Tests on former shakedown course
Preparations were taken seriously. The OMV CEE World Rally Team had already departed for Mexico last week. On Monday it was finally time to get to know the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, prepared by the tuning wizards of Stohl Racing.

The necessary chassis set-up was accomplished on the shakedown course from two years ago. “This course is an excellent choice to prepare for the Rally Mexico. It is very close to the characteristics of the actual special stages," explains OMV CEE Team Manager Günther Aschacher. The OMV Duo Stepan Vojtech/Michal Ernst was enthused, as well. Vojtech: “The car has been perfectly prepared. We felt at home right away. I`m convinced that I`ll be able to give a good performance even though we obviously lack experience on gravel."



Crossing the finish ramp on Sunday
Stepan Vojetch`s goal is clearly defined. The OMV driver absolutely wants to cross the finish ramp on Sunday. This means not taking too much risk on the preceding 360 special stage kilometres. Vojtech: “We`ll take it easy at the beginning. There are a lot of high-class P-WRC drivers competing. It wouldn`t make sense to put the foot down right from the start. On the other hand it enables us to learn our current international standing." But it shall not remain the only WRC event this year for Stepan Vojtech. In three weeks already the Czech OMV Team will be competing in Spain with a Peugeot 206 WRC. And the OMV ADAC Rallye in Germany in August is on the agenda, as well.

360 special stage kilometres on 17 special stages
The Corona Rally Mexico will commence on Thursday (March, 2nd) at 21.00 in the picturesque former silver mining town Guanajuato. 17 special stages with an overall length of 359,54 kilometres are scheduled from Friday (March, 3rd) to Sunday (March, 5th). The overall length measures 1.002,47 kilometres. The finishing line will be crossed on Sunday at about 11:30 (local time).

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