Germany : OMV World Rally Team - Preview
The OMV World Rally Team (Citroen Xsara WRC) is revving up the engines once again. The OMV ADAC Rallye, starting on Thrusday, is a very special event of the World Rally Championship for Manfred Stohl/Ilka Minor and Xavier Pons/Carlos del Barrio - due to the common sponsor OMV it is in fact the home rally for the OMV World Rally Team. But this is not the only reason for Stohl and Pons to give their best.

Nothing is left to chance at the most important WRC race this season. That was the reason for extensive tests last Friday and Saturday in the OMV ADAC Rallye area. Both Manfred Stohl as well as Xavier Pons were able to complete 150 kilometres.

After the Rally Monte Carlo it posed the opportunity for the 33-year-old Austrian to renew his acquaintance with tarmac. For Pons they were the first attempts with the Citroen Xsara WRC on this surface altogether.

Everybody seemed content after the completion of the training. Stohl: “After seven rallies on gravel it was extremely important to get back the feeling for tarmac. Now we have found the right set up and are confidently looking forward to the run. Kronos Racing have once again done a fabulous job and prepared the Xsara perfectly.“ Pons also gained valuable experience. “Except for a slight slip on our last turn everything worked out fine. We`re feeling quite at home on tarmac.“



Securing the lead among private teams
Xavier Pons has fond memories of the OMV ADAC Rally in any case. Last year the 25-year-old Spaniard won the Production-World Rally Championship at this event. Pons: “Of course there are huge differences between serial cars and a WRC. But the characteristics of the OMV ADAC Rallye suit us. We hope to put that into action with the Xsara WRC. My first WRC points 2005 should be a realistic goal.“

Manfred Stohl on the other hand hasn`t had too much luck with the OMV ADAC Rallye so far. But there is no need for anger management for the Austrian. “I like this rally. The special stages in the vinyards especially remind me of home. Even though our results so far weren`t too encouraging we`re still convinced that we`ll reach a top ten place in 2005.“

It is also important for Stohl to secure his excellent seventh intermediate ranking in the FIA World Rally Championship. Just as important as defending the lead among private teams. The OMV World Rally Team already provided the best ranked non-works-car in Monte Carlo, New Zealand and Argentina.

355 special stage kilometres on 19 special stages
The OMV ADAC Rallye commences on Thursday (25th of August 2005) with the showstart in Trier at 20.00. 19 special stages are scheduled from Friday to Sunday (26th – 28th of August) with a length of 355,40 kilometres. The overall length measures exactly 1.298,19 kilometres. The finishing line will be crossed on Sunday (28th of August) at 15.30 in Trier.


Tags: germany, omv, citroen, stohl, pons,