ATKINSON IN IRISH BATTLE
Australian World Rally Driver, Chris Atkinson, has made an outstanding start to his 2009 season with the Queenslander in fifth position after day two of the season opener in Ireland and, despite appalling weather conditions, he is well placed to move up into fourth place on the final day (1 February 2009).
“We set two third-quickest times this morning,” said Atkinson in the middle of day two of the three day event. “The more we drive, the better feeling I have with the car, and I can tell that we’re also going quicker and quicker. I’m not at the limit yet. We’re just taking it step by step.”
Having already impressed in the morning in wet conditions so bad they were using snow tyres, Chris Atkinson continued to make rapid progress on the second loop of stages in the afternoon, still run under wet conditions. The Australian was never slower than fourth-quickest, with notably a second-fastest time in the 25-kilometre Ballinamallard test.
“I’m feeling good with the Citroen C4 WRC,” he said. “We’re not taking stupid risks and we’re just keepingup a sensible pace. The car feels very well-balanced and I’m not really playing with the set-up at all.For the moment, I’m just trying to learn the C4 WRC. I think you need to be at full confidence with it in order to look for those last few seconds. Even though we’re just going to stick at our pace, our goal onthe final day will be to overtake Henning Solberg in the overall classification.”
In his debut for the Citroën Junior team, Atkinson has put in the best performance and impressed his new boss.
“My biggest satisfaction tonight comes from the performance of Chris Atkinson,” said Citroen Junior Team Manager Benoit Nogier. “He faced big pressure yesterday, but like the true professional that he is, he just relaxed and came back stronger today. The times subsequently came and fourth place is now well within his reach.”
Classification at the end of day two, 2009 Rally of Ireland
1. Loeb/Elena Citroën C4 2h12’32’’7
2. Sordo/Marti Citroën C4 +1’09’’1
3. Hirvonen/Lehtinen Ford Focus +2’30’’9
4. Solberg/Menkerud Ford Focus +5’57’’4
5. Atkinson/Prévot Citroën C4 +6’02’’1
6. Ogier/Ingrassia Citroën C4 +9’13’’4
7. Wilson/Martin Ford Focus +9’51’’3
8. Al Qassimi/Orr Ford Focus +11’50’’0
9. Boland/Morrissey Subaru Impreza +12’40’’4
10. MacHale/Duffy Ford Focus +13’40’’4
(ends)
Editor’s Note: Broadcast Quality audio clips of Chris Atkinson and Sebastien Loeb are availabe from the Ateco Media Web Site.
For further information:
Citroën Australia Media Web Site:
Miles Williams
/ Tel: (02) 9701 8020General Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:
Gus Burrows / Mob: +33 (0) 64800 9497
Public Relations Manager / E-Mail:
Atkinson Motor Sport
Edward Rowe
/ Tel: (02) 9701 8015Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:
Citroen Australia
Street Address: Heritage Building, Campus Business Park, 350 Parramatta Road, Homebush NSW 2140 Australia. Postal Address: Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd,Locked Bag 260, Silverwater, NSW 1811, Australia
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EJR/ejr/885
2/1/2009