Kronos Racing has announced that they will continue to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2007, fielding two Citroen Xsara WRC cars, which will be backed by OMV.

The Belgian-based team, which will compete under the 'OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team' banner, will link up again with Manfred Stohl, who they worked with in 2005, while the second car, will be driven by Daniel Carlsson, although he is not due to do all of the events. Who will partner Stohl on the remainder of the rounds was not confirmed.

Stohl, who gave Kronos their first WRC podium result in 2005 on the Cyprus Rally is delighted with the deal, especially as he will do all 16 events - something that should allow him to build on his success this year, which he achieved with the Bozian-run Peugeot 307 WRC. Indeed he finished 2006, fourth in the drivers' standings, having notched up 54 points and taken four podiums.

"The fact that I alone will compete [with Kronos and OMV] again in all 16 runs next year seems like a dream," said Stohl. "Even more exciting, it will be with the current World champion team. I know Kronos since I reached my first WRC podium place for them in 2005. The team works perfectly and has the advantage of being supported by Citroen Sport. This should give us the opportunity to reach top positions next year, as well."

Stohl's team-mate will be Daniel Carlsson, who will do at least six events. The Swede took his first ever WRC podium finish on the Swedish Rally earlier this season and he is due to compete again there in 2007, as well as taking in the events in Norway, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Finland.

"It is an incredibly good feeling to be part of the OMV Kronos Citroen World Rally Team," said Carlsson, who made his WRC debut in 1999 and has taken in 40 WRC events to date. "I am sure that the Citroen Xsara WRC is the best rally car in the world and will be perfect also for me to support the campaign 'World Rally against Drunk Driving'.

"I've known Manfred for a very long time and I am looking forward to working with him. I think it will be the perfect mixture to be successful. I can hardly wait to be behind the steering wheel once again."

OMV Kronos Citroen team boss, Marc van Dalen meanwhile was delighted to have been able to put together the programme that will see his team once again compete in the WRC, especially given their considerable success in 2006, which saw them take eight victories and secure the drivers' title with Sebastien Loeb.

"Following a fantastic season culminating in the WRC title by Sebastien [Loeb] and [his co-driver] Daniel [Elena] it is a great joy for me to work with OMV and Manfred Stohl once again. We already had a very successful year together in 2005. I am convinced that all of us - Citroen, OMV, Kronos Racing, Manfred and Daniel, will be good for several surprises. We are highly motivated," he summed-up.