Red Devil to back Sohlberg, Atolye Kazaz.

The Red Devil energy drink brand has joined forces with emerging Turkish WRC team Atolye Kazaz Team Turkey for its assault on the 2006 World Rally Championship.

The squad will run Subaru Impreza WRCs on six events this season, starting with Uddeholm Swedish Rally in February with Kristian Sohlberg, who made his WRC comeback with the team in 2005, claiming eleventh on the Acropolis Rally. He also took his first rally win in Finland, as the team showed strong form on the Pirelli Tampere Rally.

"We are developing our WRC programme and everything is going according to the plan," insisted team boss Ercan Kazaz, "As Team Red Devil Atolye Kazaz, we believe we will be up for the challenge, even if our priority this season is continuity. We are positive that we can make a step forward this season and, for the coming years, we want to have a Turkish driver in the game."

Partnered by experienced co-driver Kaj Lindstr?m, who returns to the top flight after a one-year absence, Sohlberg will contest the events in Sweden, Spain, Italy, Greece, Finland and Turkey.

"I have to say this has been the best Christmas present for me," Sohlberg said of the confirmation that Red Devil would back his efforts in 2006, "I'm feeling great, and can't wait to get in the car again.

"Our target will be to show not only our speed, but also the speed and reliability of the Subaru, and get good results. I'm confident that, with the help of the team and Red Devil, we can do a very good job and, hopefully, get many points. It will be very nice to work together with Kaj again. He is the best co-driver I know, and his experience will help in many ways."