Austria, Waldviertel

The OMV CNG Rally Team has triumphed again, this time taking line honours in the Waldviertel Rally, part of the Austrian National Rally championship series. Driving the biomethane fueled Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, driver Manfred Stohl won the race for the third time having previously won it in 2001 and 2002. For Stohl, the victory was made sweeter by the fact that it was his first driving a CNG fuelled vehicle modified by the Stoll racing team. Also performing in the rally was CNG 'veteran' Beppo Harrach, driving the original CNG race car for the team, a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI. Harrach, however, was forced out of the race on the first day with technical problems. Harrach took out line honours in the Ostarrichi Rally in 2007 making this week's victory the second overall for the OMV team. Stohl, Group N-World Champion of 2000, dominated the gravel sections of the race taking out seven of the 10 special stages. The race was the last for the year before the winter break with Stohl saying the team was looking forward to competing internationally next year.