Chris Atkinson - Subaru WRC rally driver
Discussion
Am I the only one who think "what the hell is he doing driving a front line rally car in a top team?" I haven't see him do anything that justifys his inlcusion on the Subaru driver strength when proven faster drivers are overlooked. He's always miles (minutes) behind his team mate Solberg.
Or is he only driving for Subaru because of that stupid rule change I seem to recall that doesn't allow 2 rally winners to be in the same team, or whatever the ruling was that stopped Citreon from running Carlos Sainz and Colin Mcrae alongside Sebastien Loeb.
Or is he only driving for Subaru because of that stupid rule change I seem to recall that doesn't allow 2 rally winners to be in the same team, or whatever the ruling was that stopped Citreon from running Carlos Sainz and Colin Mcrae alongside Sebastien Loeb.
good points, i was just contemplating it now whilst looking at the top ten positions on autosport. Matt Wilson is ninth just a couple of mins behind in a old private car, and on his first time at argentina - that boy will be a big star in the future - if you don't believe me, then i remember Sainz on his first rac running around in 8th/9th place being beaten by louise aitken walker, and looked what happened to him.
and as for hirvonen
even Pentti Airikkala doesn't rate him - says he doesn't listen.
>> Edited by stockhatcher on Sunday 30th April 08:55
>> Edited by stockhatcher on Sunday 30th April 08:56
and as for hirvonen
even Pentti Airikkala doesn't rate him - says he doesn't listen.
>> Edited by stockhatcher on Sunday 30th April 08:55
>> Edited by stockhatcher on Sunday 30th April 08:56
spoon:rubystone said:
Matt Wilson is ninth just a couple of mins behind in a old private car that boy will be a big star in the future
:silverspoon:
:access to MSport technology:
But he's onyl ever driven a WRC car. He has never proven himself at lower levels. There are far better drivers out there in the lower classes who would use his position much better. For me, he's been very disapointing this year.
And his car is certainly not and old private car. Its a M-Sport cared for car that is still being developed. Compared to the other cars (excluding the new Focus) it's certainly on par.
nightdriver said:
But he's onyl ever driven a WRC car. He has never proven himself at lower levels. There are far better drivers out there in the lower classes who would use his position much better. For me, he's been very disapointing this year.
And his car is certainly not and old private car. Its a M-Sport cared for car that is still being developed. Compared to the other cars (excluding the new Focus) it's certainly on par.
Wot I said
disagree entirely,
what's the point in proving yourself in lower levels of the brc - british rallying is in such a state that NO ONE takes any notice of it.
so he's driven only wrc's what does that matter?, fact is he is in a private car, against the likes of atkinson in a works car, and there are plenty of more experienced drivers in wrc's who couldn't even dream or getting into the top ten of a wrc.
you have to remember that he basically has only 2 years of rally competition experience, and already he is in the top ten, he even scored a fastest time in argentina.
he's being told to only drive for finishes so we're not seeing the best of him anyway.
don't take this the wrong way, nightdriver but i'm guessing that you've never competed to make a commment like yours, you have to work at it and gain experience in order to get up the front of the field.
he is the real deal.
>> Edited by stockhatcher on Sunday 30th April 19:42
what's the point in proving yourself in lower levels of the brc - british rallying is in such a state that NO ONE takes any notice of it.
so he's driven only wrc's what does that matter?, fact is he is in a private car, against the likes of atkinson in a works car, and there are plenty of more experienced drivers in wrc's who couldn't even dream or getting into the top ten of a wrc.
you have to remember that he basically has only 2 years of rally competition experience, and already he is in the top ten, he even scored a fastest time in argentina.
he's being told to only drive for finishes so we're not seeing the best of him anyway.
don't take this the wrong way, nightdriver but i'm guessing that you've never competed to make a commment like yours, you have to work at it and gain experience in order to get up the front of the field.
he is the real deal.
>> Edited by stockhatcher on Sunday 30th April 19:42
stockhatcher said:
disagree entirely,
what's the point in proving yourself in lower levels of the brc - british rallying is in such a state that NO ONE takes any notice of it.
so he's driven only wrc's what does that matter?, fact is he is in a private car, against the likes of atkinson in a works car, and there are plenty of more experienced drivers in wrc's who couldn't even dream or getting into the top ten of a wrc.
you have to remember that he basically has only 2 years of rally competition experience, and already he is in the top ten, he even scored a fastest time in argentina.
he's being told to only drive for finishes so we're not seeing the best of him anyway.
don't take this the wrong way, nightdriver but i'm guessing that you've never competed to make a commment like yours, you have to work at it and gain experience in order to get up the front of the field.
he is the real deal.
>> Edited by stockhatcher on Sunday 30th April 19:42
There's not just BRC. Theres BTRDA, J-WRC, european championships. It's not a jump from British Rallying straight to WRC.
The point of proving yourself is that you have to earn your place in a top team rather than getting there through 'contacts'. I know, and have worked with, quite a few drivers who are very very quick but will never get the chance to show themselves against someone like Wilson because they could never afford to get into a WRC car self funded. I beleive there are many young drivers in the UK who could beat him, he's never going to go down into super 1600 or BRC/BTRDA so we won't know.
In the Britsh Championship anyone in a WRC car will finish high up, simple. It's when you see Wilson against someone like Higgins that you see he's really not that quick (considering Wilson was picked over Higgins for the WRC seat).
His car is not really private, its got huge financial backing from VK, Stobart, M Sport and Ford.
If he was so quick then he could have done a season of J-WRC to prove his speed and learn the stages, then he can attack them in a WRC car.
If he's only driving for finshes then why do it in a WRC car. He should be doing J-WRC this year to learn the stages and get consistancy.
I have competed on UK stage rallies, I am heavily involved in British Rallying on a team level (can't afford a car at the mo) and like I said, I have worked with people who are as quick or quicker than Wilson.
I have just got back from the Welsh International and guys like James Wozencroft are out week in week in their 1400's gaining experiance and learning stages across the UK. It's people like that who will easily put Wilson in the shade, like you said he only has 2 years rally experience (although he was being taught by Ari Vatenan at the age of 12 driving round private roads)
To earn the respect of a lot of Rallying world he needs to drop down and prove to everyone he can beat the likes of Meeke
>> Edited by nightdriver on Monday 1st May 10:35
Funny, I remember seeing an interview with Malcolm Wilson saying that the British Rally Championship is a good feeder to JWRC, which is where he'd be sending any "talent" that came his (Fords) way. So he then jumps his son straight from the BRC to the WRC.
Matt was in the right place, at the right time, with the right people around him. There are many drivers in the UK who would be quicker than him in similar cars.
Having said that, if he ever needs a navigator...!
Matt was in the right place, at the right time, with the right people around him. There are many drivers in the UK who would be quicker than him in similar cars.
Having said that, if he ever needs a navigator...!
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