Stohl, Henning to fly flag for OMV at Magna Racino

OMV Peugeot duo, Manfred Stohl and Henning Solberg will both be in action at the 'Castrol SuperStage 2006' in Austria on Saturday [September 9].

For Stohl it will be a special occasion, as it will be his only appearance in his native country this year due to his commitments in the FIA World Rally Championship. Following his fifth place finish on the Rally Japan in his Peugeot 307, he will drive a Group N Subaru at Magna Racino, just a few kilometres south of his hometown of Vienna.

"I am really looking forward to this assignment," said Stohl. "My fans accompany me throughout the World Championship. To hear your own tongue and have talks on the other side of the globe is a huge motivation. This is a chance to thank them and offer my fans and all spectators a great show in Austria."

Stohl is convinced that such events are extremely important for the sport: "Even though you can't win or lose much during two or three kilometres as far as the sporting side is concerned, the atmosphere and the vibes are great [on super special tests]. The big pity is that I won't be able to take part in the planned super stage at the OMV Rally Waldviertel due to a scheduling conflict between the Austrian Championship and the WRC calendar later on this year. I have already seen the plans for this event and I'm sure that it will be a further attraction for this series."

Henning meanwhile is also looking forward to it and it will be his second visit to Vienna, as he took in the event in the Krieau last year: "It's a great event. During the next two weeks Manfred and I twice have the opportunity to directly compete with each other. In Vienna and at the last special stage of the Rally Cyprus which, will also be held as a super stage. Perhaps we'll even be competing in the finale at both events," added the Norwegian, tongue in cheek.