Bozian to run OMV backed Peugeot team.

After the loss of the Skoda and Mitsubishi works entries in the past week, there has at last been some good news for the World Rally Championship with the news that Bozian Racing is to run a pair of OMV backed Peugeot 307s in the WRC next season.

Manfred Stohl, who drove an OMV backed Citroen Xsara to ninth in the championship standings in 2005, will be joined by Henning Solberg in the OMV Peugeot Norway World Rally Team for twelve events while Stohl will also run a lone 307 WRC in Germany and the Austrian driver admitted he was looking forward to challenging at the front in 2006.

"To me this project is a confirmation of our performance and a big challenge at the same time," he said. "I'm sure that we have a perfect package that should enable us to compete for top places once again. Thirteen runs are a great basis that should give us a secure background right from the beginning."

Solberg added that he was looking forward to working with the new team after running a limited programme in 2005, with the Norwegian confident that the 307 will prove to be a car capable of fighting for podiums.

"Our decision for the Peugeot 307 WRC means that we get a car of the highest technical level," he said. "I'm convinced that it will enable us to compete with the best. Due to the M2 regulation we won't have to change anything at the car. I'm really looking forward to working with the new team."

The team will run in the M2-ranking with technical support from Peugeot Sport, with personnel from the French manufacturer aiding the Bozian squad over the course of the year.

Team manager Jacky Bozian said he felt that that support could well help the team go on to secure the M2 class titles once the season gets underway.

"This is a great project for us," he said. "We want to win the ranking of the M2 class with these pilots and our team. That is no illusion but a realistic goal."