It was a day of ups and downs for the OMV World Rally Team in Germany. A good beginning with Manfred Stohl in tenth intermediate place was followed by his flight into the vinyards after a technical defect – clinging to the hope of getting repairs done on time for tomorrow.
Xavier Pons steadily climbed up from place 16 and now lies in twelfth overall position after day one.
After Manfred Stohl`s spectacular 30-metres-flight into the vinyards during SS 3 the Kronos Team crew has salvaged the car to transport it back to the regrouping into the servicezone at Lake Bostal.
Now they have 2,45 hours time to get the car, that seems only slightly damaged form outside, back on the road again. Should they be successful Stohl would be able to start on Saturday thanks to the SupeRally regulation. A final decision will not be announced before midnight.
Stohl adn Ilka Minor were left unharmed: “We had our piece of luck, of course. We had already had problems with the stuck accelerator on SS 2 but I was able to solve them with my shoe. After a thorough electronics check the car went smoothly once again – up to the accident. Then I didn`t stand a chance, we took off at full speed over the embankment. Now all that`s left is hope.”
Good interim result
Spaniard Xavier Pons was able to improve his position after a cautious beginning. After 16th place on SS 1 he now lies in twelfth place: “Too bad the engine stalled in a switchback on SS 4, the fifth stage was okay, on SS 6 I slipped slightly and hit an obstacle with the right rear tyre and lost the car`s balance. Tomorrow I hope to close in on the top ten with a consistent performance.”


Tags: manfred-stohl, abandon, omv, germany,