by Rob Wilkins
Manfred Stohl has revealed that he might consider competing in the
FIA Production Car World Rally Championship next season, if he cannot put together a package with a World Rally Car car.
Stohl's future in the sport is currently uncertain following OMV's decision to quit the sport. The Austrian, who has enjoyed substantial backing from the company for a number of years, has had a tough season - his best result coming last month on the Rally Japan, when he finished sixth overall in his Kronos-run
Citroen Xsara WRC car.
Speaking exclusively to
Crash.net Radio ahead of this weekend's event in Wales, when asked about the future, Manfred conceded that at the moment things aren't looking especially promising.
“We have had a lot of hard experiences this year. It could have been better but there is nothing I can change now. I am just looking to the future. I am looking for new sponsors and we will see what happens,” he explained.
“As you know though, today it is nearly impossible to get new sponsors. It is very, very difficult right now. I could maybe enter the Production Car World Rally Championship in February if I want. However I still hope to get some World Rally Car drives.”
Asked about this weekend's event, Manfred added that he has no set aims for Wales Rally GB.
“As it is not going so well for me at the moment I don't have any proper targets,” he continued. “I just want to finish the rally and see what happens.
“I do like the Rally GB very much though. It is a very nice event and I have good results here all the time. The shakedown was OK too – we had no problems. Everything was fine. But the rally is a bit different. Here the weather is always difficult and something can happen all the time - that is typical for Wales.”
TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MANFRED STOHL: CLICK HERE.
