Chris Atkinson pumped for WRC return
Aussie rally driver Chris Atkinson opens up about testing the new Hyundai i20 WRC, Ken Block and new i30 SRChris Atkinson's rally career is on the rise, the 33-year-old New South Welshman recently signing a contract as test driver for the Hyundai rally team.
He aims to help get the new i20 WRC battle-ready and is looking to 2014 for a full-time berth in the Hyundai WRC squad.
The affable Aussie is also expected to become an official ambassador for Hyundai and provided feedback during development of the locally-tuned Hyundai i30 SR launched this week.
Chatting to motoring.com.au at the i30 SR launch and just a few weeks before the WRC heads to Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour (September 12-15), Atkinson said testing of the Hyundai i20 WRC was progressing well.
"I first drove the car a few weeks ago in France and things are looking great to start with. But it's early days and there's a lot more work to do."
Australia's top rally driver will be hoping to impress the Hyundai team as testing on the hardcore i20 continues, and asked if he'll have a full-time drive with the team in 2014, he responded: "Of course I'd love to but that's a decision yet to be made".
His vehicle testing prowess isn't restricted to motorsport either, admitting he had a chance to drive Hyundai Australia's well-sorted i30 SR sports hatch during the development phase.
"It's fantastic to drive and it's a step up on the standard car. The fact that the whole company's looking at that motorsport edge and stepping up in that way is fantastic," said Australia's top rally driver.
Atkinson said he'd like to see a road-legal i20 inspired by the world rally championship car, noting that "Everything's heading that way with Hyundai in Australia".
As far as his favourite rallies go, he cites the Scandinavian rounds of Finland and Sweden, the latter because of the massive power slides possible on snow and ice.
Speaking of powerslides, the Aussie rally driver is good mates with YouTube gymkhana sensation and part-time WRC driver Ken Block, who may end up being a rival if Atkinson drives for Hyundai in 2014.
"Ken's quite a good friend of mine actually. I know Ken quite well -- he's a really good guy," says Atkinson.
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