Austria
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX to be 100 percent biogas operated
The OMV CNG (compressed natural gas) Rally Team is currently gearing up for the 2008 Austrian Championship, this time to be powered by biomethane (biogas). The cooperation between OMV Gas International Ltd., Stohl-Racing and the driver-duo Beppo Harrach and Andreas Schindlbacher is expected to yield another high performance year, building on the successes of 2006 and 2007. Their confidence is built on new techniques for production of clean natural gas from bio sources, in particular the unique work being done at the OMV funded biogas plant in Bruck / Leitha (Lower Austria) funded by OMV’s Future Energy Fund.
The teaming up of a competitive and demanding end user with an innovative biogas project is expected to continue to promote biogas as a high efficiency fuel of the future. In the first year of competition(2006), the OMV CNG duo of Beppo Harrach and Andreas Schindlbacher achieved a fifth place overall. Then, 18 months later the team created rally history and set the benchmark for future performances with the first overall victory by a natural gas vehicle in a national championship. Three third places, an environmental cup and an honorary award rounded off the season.
"I and my co-pilots are very pleased that we will continue this season. The car is constantly being developed and always provides surprises. Therefore, I am convinced that we will be a serious contender for podium places in 2008," said Beppo Harrach.
PDF 
