The Australian will compete in the opening round of the 2009 WRC schedule, in Ireland, for Citroen Total Junior Team. The French newcomers have chosen this particular region in northern France for the test drive as it assimilates most of the characteristics of the roads that will make for the stages of this year's Rally Ireland. Atkinson was the third driver to try out the new C4, following test drives from Sebastien Ogier and Conrad Rautenbach last weekend.
“The C4 really is a fantastic car to drive and I'm thankful to the team we were able to get a full day's testing in ahead of Ireland. This was our first time back in a rally car since the big accident in Wales but it all went very well and we got progressively faster as the day went on,” said an enthused Atkinson after his first experience with the championship-winner C4.
“The C4 is a car you can really get a lot more out of the harder you drive it. It's amazing how aggressively you can attack corners, yet it all stays very balanced and straight. I was able to work with the team to find a suitable setup for Ireland so now the focus is on training and preparing for the event to put ourselves in the best possible position to perform,” he added.
Atkinson will drive the C4 in Ireland only, as Citroen is yet to announce the Aussie's future role with the team.
In the meantime, Citroen's works team have concluded test drives for both 5-time world champion Sebastien Loeb and teammate Dani Sordo on the roads of Country Monaghan, in Ireland. The Rally Ireland event is due to take under way two weeks from now, on January 30th.
Google News