Atkinson Adopts Aussie Armour in Monte Carlo
Jan 16, 2006
source: Subaru Australia
|
Australian rally driver Chris Atkinson will start the next chapter in the Subaru Rally Team Australia story when he campaigns his Impreza WRC in team livery at the opening round of the 2006 World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo.
While Atkinson will compete in the gravel rounds of the Championship for Subaru World Rally Team, the Queenslander will head the Australian campaign in the four tarmac rounds of the 2006 season - Monte Carlo, Spain, France and Germany.
Subaru Rally Team Australia retired from the Australian Rally Championship at the end of the 2005 season, having won an unprecedented ten straight national championships.
Possum Bourne and Cody Crocker led the domestic campaign, and now Atkinson will carry the SRTA name to the world stage, when he competes in Monte Carlo (January 20-22) for the first time.
The deal that sees him drive a Impreza WRC 2005 under the SRTA brand during the sealed surface rounds is the result of Subaru Australia's policy of seeking out young talented drivers and is part of a long-term partnership to develop Atkinson's potential into a future World Rally Champion.
This ongoing support also allows Atkinson to compete in all 16 rounds of the 2006 season and work towards his goal of reaching the very top of the sport.
Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia said: "Chris really proved he is up there with the best last year, so when the opportunity arose to provide him with support this year we were keen to do so.
"It is a huge bonus for us that he's competing under our own Australian brand in these four tarmac events.
"After ten years of dominance at a local level, it is fantastic to see the SRTA brand move to the world level and with Chris behind the wheel, I believe Subaru Australia is being represented by the most promising young talent in rallying."
Atkinson finished the 2005 World Championship fourth on the list of most stages won, and having already proved his talent on gravel, Atkinson knows it is vital to develop his tarmac skills.
He was the first Australian in 13 years to step onto a WRC podium when he finished third in Rally Japan last year, and is proud to be stepping onto the world stage in an Australian-backed Subaru.
Atkinson said: "The team at Subaru Australia have been a huge support to me over the last 12 months. They have helped me secure a full program this season, and to be able to use the SRTA branded car for the tarmac events will give me the opportunity to increase my skills on this type of surface."
Top of Page
|
