Atkinson 2nd after day 1 in Argentina

In a continuation of his great start to the season, Chris Atkinson has finished day one in second place behind reigning champion Sebastien Loeb.

Sadly two spins later in the day cost him time and means he will start day 2 some 1 minute 30 seconds behind the leader. Third place is held by his eammate Petter Solberg who is just 8 seconds behind Atkinson.

Atkinson 2nd in Mexico, closing the gap

Chris Atkinson and Stephane Prevot completed Rally Mexico in spectacular style, recording their highest ever finish together in a World Rally Championship event with a hard-fought second place. Meanwhile Petter Solberg and Phil Mills pushed hard to clinch the final Manufacturers’ Championship point, keeping the Subaru World Rally Team in second position in the overall standings.

Atkinson’s second podium in three rallies this season jumps him to fourth overall in the Drivers’ Championship, just six points shy of the top of the standings. It’s his best start to a WRC season, and firmly establishes the Australian as a contender for WRC victories. Solberg and Mills lie just behind in fifth in the Championship standings, as the team continue their strong start to 2008 with more solid points.

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Atkinson 3rd after day one in Mexico

The Subaru World Rally Team entries of Chris Atkinson/Stephane Prevot and Petter Solberg/Phil Mills finished the first day of the season’s first gravel rally in third and fourth positions overall after tackling the harsh and unforgiving routes and oxygen-thin air of the Mexican mountains.

The rally on which Subaru has traditionally been strong started in characteristic form as Solberg and Atkinson held the top two spots after Thursday’s shakedown stage. On the first day of gravel-based competition of the season, Atkinson and Prevot held a consistent third position overall. Solberg and Mills experienced early brake troubles that slipped them to sixth, but the duo had a solid afternoon to climb to fourth with two stage wins.

“We’ve again shown that we have the pace to win stages on this event, and despite some problems this morning Chris is on the podium and Petter is close enough to have his sights set on the top three” said Subaru World Rally Team Principal David Richards. “It has been a hard day for the cars and drivers, and it is encouraging to see that Pirelli’s new gravel tyre has worked very well in what have been very tough conditions.”

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Atkinson Spins in Sweden, points unlikely

After a fantastic third in Monte Carlo, Chris Atkinson (pictured during the Rally of Sweeden) has been bought back to earth with a thud. A spin on stage 3 of the Rally of Sweden saw the Australian drop 15 minutes.

"We had a spin, but I wasn't entirely sure why," said Atkinson. "We'll have to look at some data. I was actually driving quite cautiously, not pushing too hard, and I just lost it. My mistake, I guess, but we're going to have to look at it."

It is unlikely he will be able to score points from here, but will still compete in the rest of the Rally.

He was joined by some very good company when World Champion Sebastien Loeb rolled his Citroen. Loeb subsequently withdrew from the remainder of the day, and under super rally rules will rejoin with w 20 minute penalty tomorrow.

"I just touched the snow bank and it threw the car really sideways," Loeb told reporters at the end of the stage. "It dug in and rolled once. We have no clutch now, and it's not so good. But we will try to reach the service."