Atkinson/Macneall to SWRT 2005

[dk_mfoto]

So, the rumours are now true.... 2005 WRC is gonna be a cracker! Now to organise the trip to NZ

Atkinson joins Sarrazin and Solberg at SWRT

[TX3 Rally]

Best of luck to him - and it will certainly help lift the profile of the sport in Australia.

NZ is looking mighty good at the moment. The nature of the roads over there make spectating a lot better than Perth IMHO (and makes for much better TV).

[Adrian]

Friday 17 December, 2004



Globalstar Australian Rally Championship

AUSTRALIAN STAR CAN BE WORLD CHAMP

Australian rallying and the Australian Rally Commission are celebrating news that young Queensland driver Chris Atkinson (24) will contest 15 of the 16 rounds FIA World Rally Championship as a member of the Subaru World Rally Team in 2005.

His drive for the international team heralds an important milestone in Australian rallying and will also bring sharp focus on the dynamic sport within Australia.

In 1995 the Australian Rally Commission (ARCom) set, as one of its key objectives, the goal of having an Australian driver contesting the championship as a member of a factory world championship team.

Toyota driver Neal Bates contested a limited number of world championship events in a Corolla World Rally Car, and Michael Guest ran a privately sponsored Hyundai in a restricted programme several years ago.

ARCom Chairman, Garry Connelly, believes Atkinson has the potential to make it to World Champion within a very short time. “There is no doubting Chris’s enormous talent, which combined with the experience of Glenn Macneall as co-driver, makes the goal of World Champion achievable within four years” said Connelly.

“On behalf of the entire Australian rally community, I congratulate Subaru on a wise choice, and thank those who have been instrumental in putting this together. A works drive like this does not come about overnight or without a great deal of support and confidence.

“In particular I acknowledge the commitment of all of those at Atkinson Racing, especially Chris’s family, and the vision of Subaru Australia’s Nick Senior and his colleagues”.

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, through the CAMS Foundation, has been able to assist Chris in his efforts to secure this drive.

“ARCom is now looking to Chris and Glenn to achieve the ultimate objective to have an Australian as World Rally Champion by 2009” stated Connelly.

CHRIS ATKINSON DETAILS

Age 24 years

Resides Gold Coast, Queensland

Professional Bachelor of Commerce Finance and Accounting

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2004 2nd outright, Globalstar Australian Rally Championship

Winning Round 1, Globalstar Australian Rally Championship

2003 Asia Pacific Rally Championship Super 1600 Champion

2003 Asia Pacific Rally Championship 5th Outright

2003 Lead Driver Team SWT with Suzuki Sport Asia Pacific

Rally Championship

2002 Australian Privateer Cup Champion

[AV1611]

Fantastic news. Whether he "sets the world on fire" or not, he has done well - superbly - to get so far so soon.

May I suggest something rather original for us Australians : Let's back him regardless of how well he does.

Pretty awesome to aim for a Group N assault and find yourself in a WRC assault instead!

[TKM]

Awesome news, I hope he does really well.

[dk_mfoto]

After the Atkinson announcement, I've been digging around trying to find out who he will be up against next year, who all the new drivers and teams are and came up with the following list. He is gonna have some serious competition, with a heap more semi works and privateer guys than in 2004. Kind of makes a mockery of the piddly WRCar entry at last month's Rally Oz. There could be close to 20 WRCars at some events next year!

World Rally Car Entries in 2005 WRC

Citroen
S. Loeb
F. Duval
M. Stohl (Kronos - 10 events incl. Oz & NZ)
J. Pykalisto? (Kronos - 10 events incl. Oz & NZ)

Ford
T. Gardemeister
R. Kresta
A. Warmbold (M-Sport)
H. Solberg (M-Sport - 8 gravel events)
D. Sola (M-Sport - 6 events)
L. P. Companc (M-Sport - NZ & Argentina)
M. Hirvonen (Private - Jari Viita's car - 6 events)

Subaru
P. Solberg
C. Atkinson (15 events)
S. Sarrazin (8+ events)
T. Johansson (Private 2004 spec - 15 events)

Peugeot
M. Gronholm
M. Martin
D. Auriol (Bozian - 206/307 - selected events)
X. Pons (Bozian - 206/307 - selected events)
N. Bernardi (BSA - 206 - 8 events)
D. Carlsson (307 - 8 events)

Mitsubishi
H. Rovanpera
G. Panizzi (Tarmac + some gravel events)
G. Galli (share Gravel events)
(3rd car entered on some European events)

Skoda
A. Schwarz
J. Tuohino (Gravel events share)
J. Paasonen (Gravel events share)
A. Bengue (Tarmac events)
M. Ekström (share 3rd car)
J. Kopecky (share 3rd car)


And who knows if Hyundai will come out to play later in the year, in preparation for 2006?

Its going to be particularly difficult to score points next year, so it might just be a case of looking at the time difference between Chris and the big guns to see how he's going. First event in a WRCar on snow is a huge ask, but if any Aussie could do it, he can!

[smee]

I see no mention of a certain Scot in your listings there Darren. Obviously Skoda, Nissan and Mr Mcrae are still to sort things out. With Auriol gone, it should be easier for them to slot him in.