2007-07-02
++ Manfred Stohl will compete at OMV Rally Waldviertel in the CNG Mitsubishi++ Maximising chances for top result together with Beppo Harrach++
The OMV CNG (compressed natural gas) Team will compete with two cars at the OMV Rally Waldviertel, the finale of the Austrian National Championship (November 9 to 10, 2007). Beside Beppo Harrach in the CNG Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX Manfred Stohl will compete with the CNG Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI. The OMV driver is looking forward to try out for himself the vehicle that was developed by his own company. The sportive aspect is nevertheless important. Following third overall place by Beppo Harrach at the Chamionship run in Judenburg the “home rally” in the Waldviertel shall see a da capo of this result.
Cherishing the challenge
Manfred Stohl was close to competing at the Judenburg Rally in the CNG Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. But thanks to the fast recovery of Beppo Harrach he naturally yielded his place to the CNG regular driver. But the hunger of the 34-year-old OMV driver for a competitive challenge had been awakened. And it shall be satisfied at the “home rally”, the OMV Rally Waldviertel from November 9 to 10, 2007. Both Manfred Stohl (with co Ilka Minor) and Beppo Harrach (with co Andreas Schindlbacher) will compete with the OMV CNG Team. Stohl: “I started to feel the urge as I inspected the course in Judenburg. And I said to myself: it is about time to try out the car that was developed by your own company. After all, I should know what I’m talking about. And it is obvious that testing is no substitution for a racing competition.“
Advantage by gravel
Since his schedule hadn’t allowed for Manfred Stohl to take part in the OMV Rally Waldviertel last year he is all the more looking forward to competing this year. Especially since organiser Helmut Schöpf has changed several sections of the course and the gravel percentage currently lies at about 92 percent. Stohl: “Gravel surely is to my advantage. And the CNG Mitsubishis, both the Evo VI and the Evo IX, are working perfectly. Last year Beppo finished fifth in the VI at the OMV Rally Waldviertel. And in Judenburg he steered the IX, as first natural gas car ever, onto the podium. Reason enough to be very confident for this year’s OMV Rally. And the assignment of two cars obviously maximises the chances for a further podium place.“
OMV CNG Team is Austria’s first CarbonNeutral® Rally Team
Currently all CO2 emissions for the 2007 season concerning the OMV CNG Rally Team are being calculated and reduced as much as possible in collaboration with “The CarbonNeutral Company“. The remaining emissions will be neutralised by offset-projects which save the respective level of CO2. Therefore the OMV CNG Team is Austria’s first CarbonNeutral® RallyTeam.
Background information:
Natural gas-driven vehicles
European transport policy has set itself the goal to reach a quota of 10 percent of natural gas-cars in the fuel market by 2020. In Austria alone the quota of natural gas-driven cars should increase to 50.000 by 2010. The specific advantage of natural gas is its clean combustion. It burns up residue-free and causes considerably less CO2 than other fuels. Natural gas furthermore reduces pollutant emissions and generates practically no fine particulate matter. Natural- and biogas as fuel can therefore contribute considerably to reducing greenhouse gas-, nitric oxide- and fine particulate matter-emissions and thereby serve air pollution control in Austria.
OMV Future Energy Fund
In June 2006, OMV has established the OMV Future Energy Fund, a wholly owned subsidiary to support projects in renewable energy with more than EUR 100 million to initiate the change from a pure oil and gas group to an energy group with renewable energy in its portfolio.
OMV Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
OMV is actively committed to the values enshrined in its Code of Conduct. These include a strong sense of responsibility towards the social and natural environment in economically weak regions. OMV works hard to address economic, environmental and social issues related to its operations. Its CSR activities are fully documented in biannual performance reports compiled according to Global Reporting Initiative guidelines.
OMV World Rally Team/Beppo Harrach
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