Chris Atkinson

[Langdale Forest]

Yet another driver who has dissapeared.

Hope he returns in 2010

[Mirek]

What is it all good for? Did You drink too much?

[Langdale Forest]

I just want to know when Catkinson will return because he was a good driver and the WRC needs him back.

[ProRally]

Chris is still trying to get a deal for 2nd Monster Focus or share the car

[noel157]

There should be a minimum age limit for members here, at least older than 12. Never seen so many useless threads started. Anybody still at school should be limited to 1 post a day.

[Cloverleaf]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29

[pettersolberg29]

There should be a minimum age limit for members here, at least older than 12. Never seen so many useless threads started. Anybody still at school should be limited to 1 post a day.

I'm still at school and like to think I deserve more than one post a day. It should be set out so that everyone has a chance, however old, but if you annoy other forumers (i.e. like this), then your posting should be limited or stopped, at least short term.

[Camelopard]

I'm still at school and like to think I deserve more than one post a day. It should be set out so that everyone has a chance, however old, but if you annoy other forumers (i.e. like this), then your posting should be limited or stopped, at least short term.


Granted, but a far easier solution in the short term is the 'ignore' feature. That way unless there is quoting in another post you don't have to read the drivel posted by the likes of L.F. barreis. not, ioan and a couple of others and so on.
I'm sure that there are others out here that won't see this as they have me on 'ignore', fine, I don't have a problem with that.

[Brother John]

:down:
Yet another driver who has dissapeared.

Hope he returns in 2010

[Rally_Rocks]

What is wrong with some of you? Your arrogance is beyond belief! If Langdale Forest wants to ask about certain drivers then why shouldn't he? Maybe he could have asked about all the drivers in one question but so what?

[ProRally]

Just got the news, no deal for Chris in the Monster Ford....
He will have to look at something else.

[J.Lindstroem]

What is wrong with some of you? Your arrogance is beyond belief! If Langdale Forest wants to ask about certain drivers then why shouldn't he? Maybe he could have asked about all the drivers in one question but so what?

I understand what you mean. The Forum should be an open place where the users should be able to ask whatever they want without getting ignorant, and sometimes mean, replys. The thing here is that Langdale is well aware of what these drivers are up to. Still he wants to start 4 treads about these drivers, i think thats not very great behavioir from Langdale, and I suppose thats what making people irritated.

[Daniel]

Rally Rocks, if you think people are arrogant then imagine what the forum would be like if everyone started 4 threads a day?

[ShiftingGears]

I was very disappointed in the lack of WRC events Atkinson got himself into last year. Not even one appearance in PWRC or IRC.
The only explanation I can think of is that he felt his stock might diminish if he participated in a rally class lower than the WRC.

[Langdale Forest]

:)
What is wrong with some of you? Your arrogance is beyond belief! If Langdale Forest wants to ask about certain drivers then why shouldn't he? Maybe he could have asked about all the drivers in one question but so what?

I agree with every word you say.

[Langdale Forest]

:down:

Now tell me.. Why do you not think that it is a good thing? :mad:

[Langdale Forest]

Rally Rocks, if you think people are arrogant then imagine what the forum would be like if everyone started 4 threads a day?

A few people probably have started 4 threds a day without realising.

I should have put it into one instead of 4, but they are genuine questions and the reactions were almost 'agressive' and 'insulting'.

[Langdale Forest]

The thing here is that Langdale is well aware of what these drivers are up to

I did not know so stop speculating! :mad: :mad:

[KF1800]

Just got the news, no deal for Chris in the Monster Ford....
He will have to look at something else.

Where did you get this news from? Is it confirmed?

[macksrallye]

I was very disappointed in the lack of WRC events Atkinson got himself into last year. Not even one appearance in PWRC or IRC.
The only explanation I can think of is that he felt his stock might diminish if he participated in a rally class lower than the WRC.

I believe that's exactly what his thoughts were at the start of last year. My personal opinion is that he needs to suck up his pride & compete somewhere. Being out of competition at whatever level for 12months let alone if it continues this year is not at all good. If he doesn't get something this year I fear his career in europe could start going downhill very quickly.

[Langdale Forest]

His carrer migh me over then,,,
what a waste.

[Simmi]

Autosport this week says the Monster deal is more likely to happen next year. Monster are committed through 2012 and will probably run all the rounds in '11 and '12 so it makes more sense to run a two-car team in that environment and also under the new regs.

In the meantime I think Chris needs to shake of some of the ring rust and just try to get involved wherever possible - regardless of machinery.

[MJW]

I heared something similar....... maybe Ken doesnt want the world to see the gap between him and his team mate sothats why Chris isnt there, Also hearing that Monster Team could be using Fiesta S2000 not Focus WRC.

[RS]

Proton are looking for drivers from Sardinia IRC onwards, maybe Chris could try for a deal there.

[Simmi]

Proton are looking for drivers from Sardinia IRC onwards, maybe Chris could try for a deal there.

Yep Chris and Alistair McRae would be a nice combination for Sardinia.

[curry]

Chris Atkinson was linked to a drive with the Monster World Rally Team in 2010. Will that happen?
"We really tried to work out some deals to get him in the team this year. I really like Chris, he's a really good guy and an amazing driver, but unfortunately the deals didn't come together how we wanted. We're looking to have him come out possibly for an event or two this year - we're not really sure when or where - and then looking to have him in the team for 2011. But that's all up to sponsors and what my agents can do with putting some deals together. We want the team to feature multiple drivers over the years, and Chris is someone I like and respect so we're looking to try and have him as part of the team."

[grugsticles]

So, basically I read that as Chris cant get the sponsorship together to fund a drive.

If I were Chris' management id try like hell to get him into a Monster Focus WRC for Finland, New Zealand and Wales (they are on the calender, arnt they?) at the very least. These are events where he is going to do well.
If the Proton rumors have any substance then he may pick up another couple of events there.
With any luck he may even compete in 50% of this years calender...IF his management get their act together and get him behind the wheel.
Maybe there are other factors involved, but Chris got the money together from Australian sources to get into SWRT initially, he didn't disappoint so im sure with the bettering financial situation in Australia he could be rewarded for knocking on a few doors.

C'mon Chris, get in the action!

[AndyRAC]

So, basically I read that as Chris cant get the sponsorship together to fund a drive.

If I were Chris' management id try like hell to get him into a Monster Focus WRC for Finland, New Zealand and Wales (they are on the calender, arnt they?) at the very least. These are events where he is going to do well.
If the Proton rumors have any substance then he may pick up another couple of events there.
With any luck he may even compete in 50% of this years calender...IF his management get their act together and get him behind the wheel.
Maybe there are other factors involved, but Chris got the money together from Australian sources to get into SWRT initially, he didn't disappoint so im sure with the bettering financial situation in Australia he could be rewarded for knocking on a few doors.

C'mon Chris, get in the action!

Wasn't his Subaru drive part funded by Subaru Australia? How big are Proton in Australia?
It's disappointing he can't get a drive - he should be in WRC.

[Daniel]

Wasn't his Subaru drive part funded by Subaru Australia? How big are Proton in Australia?
It's disappointing he can't get a drive - he should be in WRC.
Correct. Proton are really only a smalltime player in Australia.

[J4MIE]

So basically he can be added to the huge pile of decent drivers that have run out of money :( It's a shame but someone has to pay....

[Barreis]

You must have Your own car (P.Solberg) or just be a rich boy to be in the WRC these days.. For me it's better to have Your own car then to pay for a rent..

[Roy]

You must have Your own car (P.Solberg) or just be a rich boy to be in the WRC these days.. For me it's better to have Your own car then to pay for a rent..

How do have your own car? :\

[morganmilan]

How do have your own car? :\
Buying it :D . And that´s a money question. So you must be a rich boy or have wonderful and generous sponsors ;)

[Roy]

Buying it :D . And that´s a money question. So you must be a rich boy or have wonderful and generous sponsors ;)

That's my point

[cannyboy]

isn't chris a stock broker in real life?

[MrJan]

He deserves to be in the WRC more than Block or Wilson but I never really rated Chris. Never quite learned to calm down and the way he went through co-drivers was telling IMO.

[Daniel]

He deserves to be in the WRC more than Block or Wilson but I never really rated Chris. Never quite learned to calm down and the way he went through co-drivers was telling IMO.
He only went through one co-driver and that was the (IMHO) useless Glen Macneal.

[Wim_Impreza]

He deserves to be in the WRC more than Block or Wilson but I never really rated Chris. Never quite learned to calm down and the way he went through co-drivers was telling IMO.

Atkinson did better than ex-world champion Petter Solberg in 2008 by SWRT. Stéphane Prévot said he is one of the biggest talents and that he is a nice guy outside of the car too. Prévot really wants to co-pilot him again in the future.

[Daniel]

Atkinson did better than ex-world champion Petter Solberg in 2008 by SWRT. Stéphane Prévot said he is one of the biggest talents and that he is a nice guy outside of the car too. Prévot really wants to co-pilot him again in the future.
I would agree. If there is one driver around without a drive that deserves it it's Chris.

[Barreis]

Stéphane Prévot is not a winner guy.. He was with B. Thiery, F.Duval and C.Atkinson in works cars and never won WRC event..

[Daniel]

Stéphane Prévot is not a winner guy.. He was with B. Thiery, F.Duval and C.Atkinson in works cars and never won WRC event..
Wow you do talk some rubbish. Thiry was never really a winner, Duval can only win when Loeb crashes and Atkinson didn't have a lot of time with Prevot....

[Barreis]

Only statistic and not rubish.. I forgot to say also for Sarrazin.. :)

[Tomi]

I would agree. If there is one driver around without a drive that deserves it it's Chris.

I hope Mäkinen take Atkinson into his project, together with Ketomaa they would make a good team, meanwhile Chris needs to compete too.

[Daniel]

I hope Mäkinen take Atkinson into his project, together with Ketomaa they would make a good team, meanwhile Chris needs to compete too.
Would be good :) I'm not a talent coach or anything but Atkinson has always impressed me apart from that period where he crashed a lot in the Subaru. If only they hadn't lumbered him with that useless codriver.....

[Barreis]

You're useless.. 32300 posts.. xd

[Tomi]

Would be good :) I'm not a talent coach or anything but Atkinson has always impressed me apart from that period where he crashed a lot in the Subaru. If only they hadn't lumbered him with that useless codriver.....

Crashing means only that the guy is trying :) , I'm sure they consider him seriously, because in Aus there is a big Subaru market, also Chris is familiar with Mäkinens team, Hagström & Lindström did drive his frontcar. And when Kimi goes back to F1, Lindström would be available to co-drive.
Besides Atkinson is the only one out there without a contract that would be a clever choise for first driver.

[Barreis]

Crashing means only that the guy is trying :)
I agree.. :)

[Langdale Forest]

Only statistic and not rubish.. I forgot to say also for Sarrazin.. :)

Sarrazin was a tarmac specialist really.

[grugsticles]

The idea of Chris in Makinen's team is fantastic, but I thought Tomi's organisation was purely Group N cars? and surely Chris deserves to be in a WRCar (money permitting of course).

On a side note, I wonder if Chris is back in Australia now? For a while there after Subaru's withdrawal he was still living in Monte Carlo, wasnt he?

[macksrallye]

...apart from that period where he crashed a lot in the Subaru. If only they hadn't lumbered him with that useless codriver...

No offense intended Daniel but Glenn Macneall is not a useless co-driver. He has enjoyed alot of success in the Asia Pacific region & on a World level with Toshi Arai. The problem was very simular to that of Duval & Prevot in the Citroen, they stopped trusting each other & when that happens it gets very painful. IMHO Chris' ego grew a little to much & he thought he deserved better than a "local" (ie: Australian) co-driver and the issues grew from their.

After saying all of that I do believe Chris is a serious talent & with a little guidance could be very successful.

[Buzz Lightyear]

I agree.. :)

It might also mean he/she is not very good..

[GigiGalliNo1]

The idea of Chris in Makinen's team is fantastic, but I thought Tomi's organisation was purely Group N cars?

Mäkinen shall be doing an S2000 team or such and such...

[raybak]

He only went through one co-driver and that was the (IMHO) useless Glen Macneal.

Hey Daniel, just checking how you are at co driving. Glen is still one of the top co drivers around. He spends a lot of time in coaching new co drivers, helping out to develop the sport and is an all round nice guy.

There were many reasons why he split with Chris, but none of them were for being a crap codriver.

Don't judge people until you have sat in their seat and tried to do the job.

Ray

[Daniel]

Hey Daniel, just checking how you are at co driving. Glen is still one of the top co drivers around. He spends a lot of time in coaching new co drivers, helping out to develop the sport and is an all round nice guy.

There were many reasons why he split with Chris, but none of them were for being a crap codriver.

Don't judge people until you have sat in their seat and tried to do the job.

Ray
What a silly argument. So I can't criticise George Dubya because I've never sat in the oval office making stupid decisions?

Glen has no rhythm to his notes and we all saw how Chris improved when Prevot came along and you'd have thought Prevot's accent would have made it worse for Chris.

I never said Glen was a bad person or anything, just that he's not a great co-driver.

[Daniel]

No offense intended Daniel but Glenn Macneall is not a useless co-driver. He has enjoyed alot of success in the Asia Pacific region & on a World level with Toshi Arai. The problem was very simular to that of Duval & Prevot in the Citroen, they stopped trusting each other & when that happens it gets very painful. IMHO Chris' ego grew a little to much & he thought he deserved better than a "local" (ie: Australian) co-driver and the issues grew from their.

After saying all of that I do believe Chris is a serious talent & with a little guidance could be very successful.

Asia pacific region? I'm sorry but I don't rate the championship.

Have a listen to Glen co-driving and compare it to Grist or Reid or any other successful english speaking co-driver and you'll see that Glenn's notes aren't very flowing. I could listen to Reid or Grist for a whole stage because there's a flow to their notes that matches the stage and sets the tempo for the driver, Glenn doesn't have that.

[I am evil Homer]

McNeal wasn't the sole issue for Chris' inability to finish an event or not cut corner clearly marked as such. That Sub was a dog and over driving it meant they never got the results that reflected the natural talent on Chris.

The Duval - Prevot comparison is a fair one...once the trust went there was no option but to split. That's the strength of Loeb too...he completely and utterly trusts Elena and the work they do together setting the notes translates into the stage times they can produce.

[Daniel]

McNeal wasn't the sole issue for Chris' inability to finish an event or not cut corner clearly marked as such. That Sub was a dog and over driving it meant they never got the results that reflected the natural talent on Chris.

The Duval - Prevot comparison is a fair one...once the trust went there was no option but to split. That's the strength of Loeb too...he completely and utterly trusts Elena and the work they do together setting the notes translates into the stage times they can produce.
I agree Glen wasn't the only problem with Chris' career but I think a good codriver can make a big difference.

The way Duval was going Prevot was worried he was going to be dead, can't blame him for jumping ship.

[RS]

Atkinson tested the Proton yesterday: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81590

Don't know if he has a serious chance there or whether they are looking for $$$ though.

[Mitch555]

It is a good chance that he could drive the Proton, as they wanted a two car program in the Asia Pacific Championship where Atkinson impressed in 2003 and 2004 (winner of S1600, and challenged slower N4s), and two cars in IRC. source aprclive.com

Makes sense for Proton as well as they are in the Australian market, but are really struggling due to the build quality of their car and they need to enhance the brand a bit. Definitely worked with Subaru and Toyota over here.

[Hartusvuori]

Chris talks nice and open about the Subaru's damper issue on Autosport's Q&A (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81576).


When Petter and I do stage times within a second and we both knew how hard we were pushing, flat-out everywhere, to get those results and then, all of a sudden, we were a minute slower than everybody. I mean, f***ing hell, it's not like you've forgotten how to drive.

[grugsticles]

Chris talks nice and open about the Subaru's damper issue on Autosport's Q&A (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81576).
Good read that!

Gotta love the language being used. Typical Aussie way of expressing what your thinking - who cares how it comes out verbally:P

[Barreis]

Where does he live now?

[Mitch555]

I doubt he is still living in Monte Carlo. He has probably moved back to the Gold Coast in Australia. Probably also gone back to his previous job too!

[userwave]

too bad, monster world rally team should be chris atkinson and not ken block....

[Langdale Forest]

too bad, monster world rally team should be chris atkinson and not ken block....

+1

[Francis44]

too bad, monster world rally team should be chris atkinson and not ken block....
True.

But I may say that im quite surprised by Ken Block's attitude, in a video interview, avaiable on WRC.com, he talks about his expectations and I have to say he wasquite thoughtfull. He says he's expectations are lower and his speech is quite not the american flamboyant style. After that interview he earned my respect and I wishe him the best.

[Buzz Lightyear]

True.

But I may say that im quite surprised by Ken Block's attitude, in a video interview, avaiable on WRC.com, he talks about his expectations and I have to say he wasquite thoughtfull. He says he's expectations are lower and his speech is quite not the american flamboyant style. After that interview he earned my respect and I wishe him the best.

I think the interview was after he went to sweden to spectate.....

[Stalks]

I doubt he is still living in Monte Carlo. He has probably moved back to the Gold Coast in Australia. Probably also gone back to his previous job too!

Which job would that be? One of the ones for his dad's companies? Has he ever had a job?

I thought that interview didn't really do him any favours - 'Im better than Mikko, Petter in equal cars etc'

Then the 'I'm not prepared to pay for it myself'....well that'l put him behind about 10 Finns and other Europeans like Novikov that WILL pay for a drive in the short term to get noticed.

The most informative part of the story was what we all knew anyway - the dampers were absolute rubbish on those Subbies, and as much as Petter and him bleated about them, unfortunately nobody listened to them, and it probably played a large part in the demise of the SWRT.

[tmx]

Which job would that be? One of the ones for his dad's companies? Has he ever had a job? Broker. Also had a job as a rally driver.

[gravelman]

Which job would that be? One of the ones for his dad's companies? Has he ever had a job?

I thought that interview didn't really do him any favours - 'Im better than Mikko, Petter in equal cars etc'

Then the 'I'm not prepared to pay for it myself'....well that'l put him behind about 10 Finns and other Europeans like Novikov that WILL pay for a drive in the short term to get noticed.

The most informative part of the story was what we all knew anyway - the dampers were absolute rubbish on those Subbies, and as much as Petter and him bleated about them, unfortunately nobody listened to them, and it probably played a large part in the demise of the SWRT.

Can new parts still be homologated for the Subaru, like they were for the Corolla WRC by Erik Wevers. New dampers were in development before the plug was pulled by Subaru

[Mitch555]

Which job would that be? One of the ones for his dad's companies? Has he ever had a job?

I thought that interview didn't really do him any favours - 'Im better than Mikko, Petter in equal cars etc'

Then the 'I'm not prepared to pay for it myself'....well that'l put him behind about 10 Finns and other Europeans like Novikov that WILL pay for a drive in the short term to get noticed.

The most informative part of the story was what we all knew anyway - the dampers were absolute rubbish on those Subbies, and as much as Petter and him bleated about them, unfortunately nobody listened to them, and it probably played a large part in the demise of the SWRT.

Of course he has had a job :) He is a graduate from a very prestigious university, Bond, on the Gold Coast (full fees is around $80000 AUD a year for a business degree). Qualified to be a stockbroker. He's used to not having to pay for drives because he hasn't really had to. In his early days in 2002, he did the full ARC, though I'm not sure who paid for it. In 2003 he was then run in the Asia Pacific Championship for 2 years by Suzuki in an Ignis. He was very fast. Did the ARC again in 2004 in a Subaru along with his APRC program. He might have had some support from Subaru Australia as he was the 3rd scoring driver for Subaru, although he was a privateer as such. So I guess he's always had drives partially funded. Problem is that no manufacturer is having a presence in rallying in Australia (other than Mazda in tarmac rallying), so its hard for Chris to get a paid drive. The financial crisis and maufacturer pull out has seen most of Australia's best being left without a drive or limited program (Neal Bates, Cody Crocker, Dean Herridge, Michael Guest, Darren Windus, Steve Glenney...)

[Larry_Japan]

... maybe we will see him in a Prodrive Mini in 2011...

[janvanvurpa]

Of course he has had a job :) He is a graduate from a very prestigious university, Bond, on the Gold Coast (full fees is around $80000 AUD a year for a business degree). Qualified to be a stockbroker. He's used to not having to pay for drives because he hasn't really had to. In his early days in 2002, he did the full ARC, though I'm not sure who paid for it. In 2003 he was then run in the Asia Pacific Championship for 2 years by Suzuki in an Ignis. He was very fast. Did the ARC again in 2004 in a Subaru along with his APRC program. He might have had some support from Subaru Australia as he was the 3rd scoring driver for Subaru, although he was a privateer as such. So I guess he's always had drives partially funded. Problem is that no manufacturer is having a presence in rallying in Australia (other than Mazda in tarmac rallying), so its hard for Chris to get a paid drive. The financial crisis and maufacturer pull out has seen most of Australia's best being left without a drive or limited program (Neal Bates, Cody Crocker, Dean Herridge, Michael Guest, Darren Windus, Steve Glenney...)

Ya know all that is very nice but he seems to not WANT TO drive if he has to pay anything.
I was paid pretty good my my standards and the standards of the time to drive my moto-cross bike. 2 seasons 30+ yeras ago..

I wonder always why car prima-donnas who reached some point decide they'd rather sit on their bum or go make masturbatory You Tube vids with Kenny Blockie of himself driving an Escort round a gravel parking lot, than do liek 10s of thousands of us and just build a reasonable fast and fun car and go get sideways??

"Rally-gawd" McRae was well know to be "The highest paid driver in the WRC " for years....and did spend some money to have some INSANE cars---always over the top Hmmmmmm?) built but he felt himself too good to spend any of those piles of millions he made...Even though he famously said "I'd do this for nuthin"

I thought it was the typical arrgance that was always below the surface and showed thru so often.

But now here's another Subaru driver who is too good to spend any of his own dough, or ratchet it down a notch to a level he can afford....


Lame I say.


And it puts Petter's efforts into a much better and admirable light as a rallyman and fighter.

[Wim_Impreza]

I thought that interview didn't really do him any favours - 'Im better than Mikko, Petter in equal cars etc'

He has already proven that he is better than Petter. Look to the results in 2008. I think he is better than Mikko too. What Atkinson has done with that crappy Subaru in 2008 was very impressive.

[janvanvurpa]

He has already proven that he is better than Petter. Look to the results in 2008. I think he is better than Mikko too. What Atkinson has done with that crappy Subaru in 2008 was very impressive.

WAS better in 2008.
This is 2010, and he's been pounding his pudding since, so who knows now.

Now personally i think he's a putz but that sid it is an affort to logic that a guy with a proven record cannot find a good ride while the WRC field is filled with RautenWilsonBlock types.
It is maddness.

[Langdale Forest]

If he was in a better car in 2008, he might have been able to win rallies.

[janvanvurpa]

If he was in a better car in 2008, he might have been able to win rallies.

maybe.
you could just as well say IF he was able to win rallies he'd be in a better car.

If is always a treacherous word.

[Stalks]

He's used to not having to pay for drives because he hasn't really had to.

Well, news flash! He's going to have to now.

Every rally, every year he sits on the sidelines waiting for the golden offer is another rally, another year that someone willing to spend their own money will get a drive ahead of him.
Honestly, how many properly paid drivers are there in WRC now? 4, 5? The rest are paying themselves, or bring personal sponsors to the team. He has said he won't pay, and which personal sponsors does he have?

For the most part of his APRC Suzuki drive it was in all honesty probably financially propped up by his father, as were his ARC campaigns. Can you recall what signage/sponsors were on his Group N Impreza's?
Maybe if dad sells one or more of his personal helicopters he could fund it that way.

[manta400]

Well, news flash! He's going to have to now.

Every rally, every year he sits on the sidelines waiting for the golden offer is another rally, another year that someone willing to spend their own money will get a drive ahead of him.
Honestly, how many properly paid drivers are there in WRC now? 4, 5? The rest are paying themselves, or bring personal sponsors to the team. He has said he won't pay, and which personal sponsors does he have?

For the most part of his APRC Suzuki drive it was in all honesty probably financially propped up by his father, as were his ARC campaigns. Can you recall what signage/sponsors were on his Group N Impreza's?
Maybe if dad sells one or more of his personal helicopters he could fund it that way.

What is the background with his Father then?

[Mitch555]

I like how everyone thinks Chris can just conjure money out of the air and get back into rallying. Although Chris didn't pay for his drives, he probably wasn't paid much either. For him to raise the funds for a tilt at the WRC, PWRC or even ARC would take a really big effort considering motorsport is dominated by the V8 Supercars in Australia. So although you can get stuck into him for not driving, its not like he's a superstar like Petter, or living in a country like Finland where people are able to find people to sponsor rally drivers.

@Stalks. What is the story of John Atkinson. It is impossible to find any info on the net. Only John Atkinson I can find is the man involved in the Gore Atkinson Group (different John Atkinson though)

[wrc_flipper]

Chris will be interviewed on totalrally.com tonight from 8pm (gmt)

[Buzz Lightyear]

I like how everyone thinks Chris can just conjure money out of the air and get back into rallying. Although Chris didn't pay for his drives, he probably wasn't paid much either. For him to raise the funds for a tilt at the WRC, PWRC or even ARC would take a really big effort considering motorsport is dominated by the V8 Supercars in Australia. So although you can get stuck into him for not driving, its not like he's a superstar like Petter, or living in a country like Finland where people are able to find people to sponsor rally drivers.

@Stalks. What is the story of John Atkinson. It is impossible to find any info on the net. Only John Atkinson I can find is the man involved in the Gore Atkinson Group (different John Atkinson though)

tough. he has his chance. there is other talented drivers out there more deserving. he just cant blame the car. part of being a good driver, is being able to lead the team with car development.

[janvanvurpa]

Well, news flash! He's going to have to now.

Every rally, every year he sits on the sidelines waiting for the golden offer is another rally, another year that someone willing to spend their own money will get a drive ahead of him.
Honestly, how many properly paid drivers are there in WRC now? 4, 5? The rest are paying themselves, or bring personal sponsors to the team. He has said he won't pay, and which personal sponsors does he have?

For the most part of his APRC Suzuki drive it was in all honesty probably financially propped up by his father, as were his ARC campaigns. Can you recall what signage/sponsors were on his Group N Impreza's?
Maybe if dad sells one or more of his personal helicopters he could fund it that way.

Or......in other words with apologies to Micheal Herr:
Poor widdle Atko internal monologue:
Oz... sh!t; I'm still only in Oz... Every time I think I'm gonna wake up back in the jungle.
When I was home after my first tour, it was worse. I'd wake up and there'd be nothing. I hardly said a word to Prodrive, until I said "yes" to a divorce. When I was home after my first tour, it was worse.
[grabs at flying insect]
. When I was here, I wanted to be there; when I was there,
all I could think of was getting back into the jungle.

I'm here a week now... waiting for a mission... getting softer. Every minute I stay in this room, I get weaker, and every minute Charlie squats in the bush, he gets stronger. Each time I looked around the walls moved in a little tighter. "
http://parallax-view.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/apocalypse_now-willard.jpg

ony question is if Atko there in the piccie is sinking to never rise again.
Poor widdle thing.

[GigiGalliNo1]

http://www.rallyreportnews.com.ar/
Proton will do IRC with Alister McRae and Chris Atkinson, with Tom Cave in a (private) third Proton. Later this year there will possible be oppertunities for Francois Duval, Anton Alen, Matti Rantanen and Heikki Kovalainen.

The English structure that manages the fates of Proton in the International Rally, the MEM World Rally Team, who commands Chris Mellors, plus the backing of David Felton, are in the final negotiations for establishing the campus of Proton drivers from Sardinia on IRC this season, and after performing various tests at its headquarters in Britain, is a fact that the main driver will be the Scotsman Alister McRae, who also take part in the APRC with another unit of Satria Neo S2000.
While the second seat in the square with the economic sporte from Malaysia was destined for the Australian Chris Atkinson, who would return to international action after his steady pace from 2005 to 2008 with Subaru WRT and a sporadic presentation with the Junior Team, using the C4 WRC in Ireland 2009, now it's squire Atkinson Proton on IRC, telling the team also with young British star Tom Cave with a broad agenda of skills in the discipline in the SWRC and the IRC.
Finally folder are also in the names of Francois Duval, Anton Alen and Matti Rantanen, who, with Heikki Kovalainen could have some way with the Proton Rally sometime in 2010.:

[Red bull]

better move to s2000 if cant pay,probably will get a cheaper car in SA say a vw polo for start.Conrads gone for a fiesta.

[duff]

Atko + Proton

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82633

[serial jeff]

excellent news

[jens]

I wonder, why hasn't Proton hired Atkinson to drive in the IRC season? IMO he would have been the best choice for that.

[RS]

I wonder, why hasn't Proton hired Atkinson to drive in the IRC season? IMO he would have been the best choice for that.

They could still do so as they have not announced their second IRC driver yet.

[Henrii6]

Too bad about Atkinson, he was fast but still just to rough around the edges..