Subaru will also stick with the same driver line-up they had in 2005, with
Petter Solberg leading the team, while Stephane Sarrazin, who will only do the four asphalt events this season, will drive the second nominated car on the Rallye Monte Carlo.
Chris Atkinson will take part in a third Impreza, entered by the Banbury based team under the Subaru Australia banner.
"Our new Impreza WRC2006 will make its debut in Monte Carlo," said SWRT team boss, David Lapworth. "The testing we've done on asphalt so far has been good and we're pleased with the starting ground. This year will be a big shake-up for everyone and who'll be fastest will be one of the biggest questions of the rally.
"The drivers' championship itself won't be affected. There are still the top three drivers, [Sebastien] Loeb, [Marcus] Gronholm and Solberg, all with very good teams and the battle for the championship will be as hot as ever. With the same faces and names it will be business as usual. Our goal is to win that drivers' championship with Petter.
"Petter certainly has a shot at winning every rally, but our eye will always be on the championship. We start each event looking to win, but we won't sacrifice points at the expense of the title. If a win is on the cards in Monte Carlo we will go for it, but if the weather doesn't suit us we'll strategically go for points – this isn't a case of Monte Carlo or bust!"
Manufacturer 2.
OMV Peugeot Norway WRT:
[Manfred Stohl, car #7 and
Henning Solberg, car #8].
The OMV Peugeot Norway WRT will be run by Bozian Racing and will enter Manfred Stohl on all 16 events this season, while his team-mate, Henning Solberg will do 12.
After being the top privateer runner in 2005, and taking in 10 events, Stohl is delighted to being doing all 16.
"Sixteen rounds seem almost incredible to me," he said. "It also offers many advantages. Doing sixteen rallies you spend so much time in the car that it will seem like driving to work in the 307 WRC! It is also a matter of rhythm. You get a very good feeling for the car. And if things don't go so well one week you get the opportunity to do better two or three weeks later."
The team completed their first test with the 307 WRC over the weekend, running for two days near Lyon.
"I'm very confident for my first start in Monte Carlo," noted Henning. "The team has prepared the car perfectly."
Stobart VK Ford:
[
Matthew Wilson, car #9 and Pieter Tsjoen, car #10]
