Rally Portugal: OMV Kronos stage one notes

OMV Kronos Citroen WRT takes up Rally Portugal

o No risk-taking at tarmac super stage at Algarve Stadium

o Carlsson/Giraudet in good eighth overall place

The OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team took up the "Vodafone Rally de Portugal" on the super stage in the Algarve Stadium on Thursday evening. These 2,03 kilometres long show-super stage was completed on tarmac as opposed to the remainder of the rally. And with gravel tyres, at that. One more reason for the OMV drivers Manfred Stohl and Daniel Carlsson not to take any risk. Carlsson, the Swede of the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team, finished in eighth place. Stohl took place 14.

Nothing to gain but a lot to lose

Even prior to the opening super stage it was a given for Manfred Stohl that he would try to offer a good show for the audience but not take too much risk. And when Jari Matti Latvala additionally slipped off the course during the first turn the OMV driver also had lost the motivating factor of an immediate opponent. Stohl: "You are at the limit at every drift with gravel tyres on tarmac. I am sure that the rally will offer different criteria than this super stage. You can only lose here." Thus he currently lies in 14th place, 6,9 seconds behind leader Marcus Grönholm in the intermediate standings.

Daniel Carlsson was quite impressed by the setting. Even though the 30-year- old Swede of the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team was beaten in the immediate duel with Petter Solberg (Nor/Suaru Impreza WRC) he nevertheless lies in eighth place, 5,7 seconds behind the lead. Carlsson: "It is a lot of fun but has obviously little to do with this rally. However, it is very important for our sport."

Grönholm in a league of his own

On the 2,03 kilometres long course, Markus Grönhom (Fin/Ford Focus WRC) finished impressive 2,3 seconds ahead of second-placed Spaniard Dani Sordo (Citroen C4 WRC). Third place was a tie between Petter Solberg and World Champion Sebastien Loeb (Fra/Citroen C4 WRC).

Six special stages on Friday

The first leg will lead the competitors over 122,79 special stage kilometres on Friday. The start will be at 09.30. The first car is expected at the leg finish at the Algarve Stadium at 17.30.

-credit: omv kronos