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Chris Atkinson to Drive for Citroen in Ireland

We don't know what Petter Solberg's plans for the future are, but Chris Atkinson is sure keen on securing a full-time drive in next year's World Rally Championship. The two drivers were left looking for a job in 2009 following Subaru's quitting the sport in mid-December. However, the Aussie was offered a racing seat with Citroen's new Junior Team for the 2009 Rally Ireland and plans to make the most of it in order to convince the French team he's worth more shots in the championship.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for me as I will be able to compete against Sebastien Loeb in a similar car and obviously my aim is to be as competitive with him and Dani Sordo as soon as possible,” admitted Atkinson, according to Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald.

Atkinson is to drive a Citroen C4 WRC for the Citroen Junior Team in the season opener. However, Citroen Sport Technologies Manager Benoit Nogier insisted that, despite the team's policy to only give drivers with an average age of 22 the chance to make their way into the sport, Atkinson holds a high chance of staying with Citroen more than just one gig.

“Conrad Rautenbach, Evgeny Novikov and Sebastien Ogier will form the mainstay of the line-up, while Chris Atkinson is due to take part in the first round of the New Year, the Rally Ireland,” announced Citroen Sport Director Olivier Quesnel just before Christmas, while completed by Nogier: “It is our belief that our association with Chris will not stop there.”

Atkinson finished the last season as the No 5 driver of the WRC, scoring five podiums on the way to his highest ranking in career. Also, the 29-year old Aussie outscored teammate (and former WRC champion) Petter Solberg for the first time in career, ending the 2008 campaign 4 points ahead of the Norwegian driver.
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