Australia : OMV World Rally Team
The OMV World Rally Team (Citroen Xsara WRC) definitely has reason to rejoice. Manfred Stohl and Ilka Minor reached a sensational third place at the season`s finale of the FIA World Rally Championship in Australia.
This means the second podium place this season for the 33-year-old OMV driver after his second place in Cyprus. At the end of the rally he provided an exciting fight with local hero Chris Atkinson. After 26 special stages Stohl got the better end by mere six seconds. Therefore he was able to defend his ninth place in the WRC final results.

Best private team of 2005
Even though there is no official ranking in the FIA World Rally Championship in this category: the OMV World Rally Team was the best private team this season. 22 points mean ninth place in the WRC final results, ahead of several works drivers. And Ilka Minor was the only woman in the WRC to stand on the podium twice.

Minor: “This third place means more to me than the second place in Cyprus. There we gave a tactical performance. Here we had to fight to the last metre.“ The balance of the OMV World Rally Team is rather impressive as well. “We`ve reached places 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 this year. That is really exceptional. Next year it will be time for a victory,“ explains Kronos Racing Team Manager Marc van Dalen. Chances for fulfilling this promise are good since Citroen Sport World Champion Sebastien Loeb will be “pulling in” to Kronos Racing in 2006.

Future yet undecided
In spite of great performances Manfred Stohl has not yet signed a contract for 2006. OMV is currently examining three offers. “We don`t have to decide until December, 15th. It is paramount to find a team where we can give an equally good performance. In the beginning of the year we`d envisioned a top ten place in the WRC. And with ninth place we have realised this goal. The two places on the podium were an added bonus – and have raised the level for next year,“ explains Brigitte Mühlwisch, who is responsible for sponsorship at OMV.

Only 55 days left
The rally season 2005 is dead – long live the next season. The first WRC event in 2006 will commence in only 55 days in Monte Carlo. If negotiations should turn out well, Manfred Stohl will be competing in his 95th WRC race in the principality on the Cote d`Azur – where a seemingly unimaginable success run had begun in 2005 for the 33-year-old OMV driver.


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