Two drivers will compete for the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team at the “ADAC Rallye Germany”. Francois Duval has been nominated for the second Citroen Xsara WRC in time for the entry deadline. The chances for a top result at the tenth run to the FIA World Rally Championship should increase with the assignment of the 26-year-old Belgian who has already reached the podium in Germany twice as second-placed. Manfred Stohl is looking forward to the immediate comparison with a teammate once again.
In the five-year-history of the Rally Germany it was Francois Duval who came dangerously close to five-times winner Sebastien Loeb even twice. The Belgian finished second only to the Frenchman in the years 2004 and 2005. Thereby neo OMV driver Duval already steered the Citroen Xsara WRC in 2005 with which he won the Rally Australia the same year. The latter also marked the last appearance of Duval in the Citroen in November two and a half years ago. Duval: “I am very happy and want to thank my partners who have made this assignment possible. I know that we can be very fast with the Citroen Xsara WRC in Germany and will cause quite a surprise.“
Comparison is extremely important
OMV driver Manfred Stohl welcomes the fact that he won’t be the only one to carry the flags of the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team in Germany. The comparison with a teammate motivates last year’s fifth-placed of the German WRC-run even more. Stohl: “Francois Duval undisputedly is one of the three best drivers in the WRC on tarmac. He furthermore knows the Citroen Xsara WRC. I can only profit by the comparison and collaboration – that is why I am looking forward to it.“
Confidence thanks to home advantage
The Rally Germany is a kind of „home rally“ for OMV Kronos Citroen Team Principal Marc Van Dalen. Van Dalen: “Duval doesn’t live too far from the rally course. And it also is the nearest WRC-run for our company Kronos-Racing. And the tradition of OMV at this rally is well known. Furthermore, both Duval and Stohl already reached top five results here. Plus: the Citroen Xsara WRC is the most successful car at this rally. Eight of 15 podium places went to this car type during five years. This in combination with the home advantage should make for a satisfying performance.“
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