Stohl managed to finish sixth overall in Japan last month, the first time he has managed to score points since the Acropolis Rally at the start of June.

The 35-year-old is now keen to try and maintain that momentum and finish the year with a bit of a flourish.

“After quite some time, we scored points in Japan once again. We want to repeat that in Ireland,” he confirmed. “The harder the conditions the easier this could be for us.

“But we will nevertheless have to attack from the first kilometre. Each place we move up in the WRC intermediate standings means a better starting position at the Wales Rally GB. That is what we have to focus on.”

Stohl meanwhile took in and won the OMV Rally Waldviertel last weekend - the latest round in the Austrian Rally Championship - and while he didn't use a WRC car there, he believes the mileage accumulated in the gas-driven Mitsubishi Lancer Evo will be of use.

“One obviously can't compare the CNG Mitsubishi to a WRC car but still, each SS-kilometre counts,” he explained.

“I furthermore expect similarly slippery conditions in Ireland even though we'll compete on tarmac there. We are in a good racing-rhythm, in any case - and that counts for a lot.”


Subaru WRT:

[Petter Solberg, car #7 and Chris Atkinson, car #8 [and Xavier Pons, car #14 - not nominated for manufacturers' points]]

Petter to give 110 per cent.

Petter Solberg is excited to be driving in front of 'rally-mad' Irish fans for the first time as he heads to the emerald isle for the inaugural Rally Ireland.

Following a disappointing season in the Subaru Impreza, Solberg is still currently battling over fifth place in the driver standings with his brother Henning after the Stobart Ford driver pulled back some ground with third place on the Rally Japan.

Nonetheless, the Norwegian driver is confident of a good result in Ireland, despite the fact he has never driven in the country before.

"I have never rallied in Ireland before so it will be very new for me, but I am looking forward to it. The fans in Ireland are rally-mad which is really good. It's always nice to drive in front of people who are really into it.

"It would have been good to do a few rallies earlier in the year to get a feel for the surface, but still we prepare and focus 110 per cent. It will be very interesting I think, especially with the chance that the 2007 championship can be decided there."