Rally Argentina: OMV BIXXOL Thursday summary

Sensational beginning for OMV BIXXOL Rally Teams Sensational beginning for the OMV BIXXOL Rally Teams at the "Rally Argentina". The OMV drivers amazed their opponents right at the super stage in the River Plate Stadium of Buenos Aires. Most of ...

Sensational beginning for OMV BIXXOL Rally Teams

Sensational beginning for the OMV BIXXOL Rally Teams at the "Rally Argentina". The OMV drivers amazed their opponents right at the super stage in the River Plate Stadium of Buenos Aires. Most of all newcomer Claudiu David (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX). The Romanian of the OMV BIXXOL Team finished in second place, only one tenth of a second behind group N best- time. Stepan Vojtech/Michal Ernst, who are eligible to score points for the FIA Production-Car World Rally Championship in Argentina, only had to surrender to Pole Leszek Kuzaj and finished this class also in second place.

Incomparable

Long after the super stage in the sold-out River Plate Stadium of Buenos Aires (almost 70.000 spectators) Claudiu David still couldn't believe in his good fortune. At his WRC-premiere everything had gone even better than planned on the first special stage. The Romanian of the OMV BIXXOL World Rally Team reached second-best time in group N, just 0,1 seconds behind winner Kuzaj. David: "This is incomparable. A wonderful feeling. But I know that things won't go on like this since the really tough stages are yet to come. Still, this second place alone already has made the trip worth the while." The OMV duo David/Belide is not entitled to score points in the P- Car WRC at this rally.

A powerful sign

Stepan Vojtech, who also achieved an outstanding result at the super stage, is equally self-confident. The OMV BIXXOL Rally Team CZ reached second place in the P-Car WRC-ranking. OMV driver Vojtech: "That boosts our self- confidence. We have proven that one has to reckon with us. It is very satisfying when the feeling and the result coincide. We are on a roll and have to take advantage of this opportunity. Last year the Rally Argentina threw us off. This year we shall overcome."

Eight special stages on Friday

Following the excursion to Buenos Aires the rally will only restart on Friday at 9:00 (local time). Eight special stages and 124,50 special stage kilometres are scheduled. The first leg will be rounded off by a super stage in the stadium of Cordoba (19:05 Uhr), which, as opposed to the opening, will be completed on gravel. The finish line of the first leg will be crossed at circa 19:45.