Australia’s most decorated international rally driver Chris Atkinson is plotting a campaign in the FIA World Rallycross Championship next year.
Atkinson has teamed up with a London-based management company in a bid to rejuvenate his career.
The Queenslander has been in limbo since being omitted from the Hyundai team’s World Rally Championship line-up last year after being involved in the squad’s development program and sporadic WRC drives.
Atkinson’s former Subaru WRC team-mate Petter Solberg (Citroen DS3) is leading the current World Rallycross standings after winning the inaugural crown last year.
“I’ve always thought Rallycross was a really sweet format and you can see that now with the way the FIA World Rallycross Championship is growing,” Atkinson said.
“Manufacturers are coming into it and it’s evolving to the stage where it’s becoming a lot more professional.
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“WRC cars are incredible but these Rallycross cars are pretty much double the power of a WRC car.
“You’re basically in a weapon with eight other lunatics hoping you come out of the first corner… not backwards.”
Atkinson is working with Roots Management International to explore opportunities in a bid to make the World Rallycross field next season.
Ian Bergin, responsible for Sponsorship and Rights Management at the London firm, said all efforts are being made for Atkinson to join the World Rallycross Championship.
“It will be a busy winter talking with teams and interested partners but our focus is to be ready for 2016.”
Atkinson is a veteran of 77 WRC starts which has been highlighted by factory drives for Subaru and Hyundai.
During his WRC career Atkinson has accumulated 41 special stage wins and landed on the podium six times with a total of 39 points finishes.
