Speculation mounts over Atko's WRC return

Written by Latest news
Friday, 16 October 2009

Chris Atkinson has declined to comment on speculation linking him to a return to the WRC in 2010 as part of a new top-level team backed by Monster energy drink and led by American rally star Ken Block.

According to a story in Britain's Autosport magazine, Block is just weeks away from finalising a deal to run the 'Monster Energy Drink World Rally Team' in association with Ford's rally partner M-Sport, for the next three WRC seasons.

Block, who drives for the Monster-backed Subaru USA rally team, has tackled a handful of WRC rallies in the Group N class, but has become a rallying hero in his homeland thanks mainly to the 'Gymkhana' series of internet stunt driving videos, featuring him at the wheel of a rally-spec Subaru Impreza.

And Block reportedly wants his friend, former Subaru driver Chris Atkinson, as his team mate.

M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson has admitted talks with Block's management team have been going on 'for some time'. Atkinson, who last made a WRC appearance on this year's Rally Ireland, wouldn't confirm or deny the story.

His manager reportedly told wrc.com: "Our clear objective is to get Chris back in the WRC in a competitive car as soon as possible, and we're doing everything we can to make that happen. We're having ongoing discussions with a number of different parties for 2010 but, as you'd expect, we can't comment on any individual stories."

The three-year deal, which is likely to be agreed in the next month, would give the WRC the opportunity to break into the important North American market, due to Block's 'hero' status in his homeland.

WRC promoter Simon Long said: "Ken Block is an iconic figure in US motorsport and a major box office personality. It wouldn't get much better than this for the WRC going into North America."

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In Training for 2010 Finke Desert Race...

I do love WRC but I fall asleep during the telecasts without fail every time.

Something about seeing Ford, Citroen and Pirelli all over the boards that bores me to no end. Anyways Block and Atko in the WRC would be very interesting. Hope it's true.

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Alan - 280kW Evo IX

54.821 Barbagallo short
49.800 Collie

I think Ken Block could put the "Show" back into WRC along with the likes of Rossi & Kimi making the switch in the next few years.

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In Training for 2010 Finke Desert Race...

block will go into a tree on the first stage of every rally, just like pastrana

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MY93 Impreza GX 1.8L, 0hp, 0nm

bingo!

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Omnia dicta fortiora si dicta Latina.

or drain!

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Long live the WRC

Ripping heli's and doing stunts not SAME SAME as the highly competitive WRC. Block will be number 1 driver for the team, yet Atkinson will brush him aside each and every stage because he can actually drive well. Block is nothing but a flash in the pan and the sooner he gets into the top tier of rally the sooner he can fade off into mediocrity and youtube vids as the former WRC driver.......because he will crash, often and hard. Like David Coulthard but with a bit more swagger in his step and lack of monsterous chin.

Haha. Rossi will never switch. Whats the point switching when you're the greatest rider ever.

Block September this year.


Pastrana last year.

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Long live the WRC

Cos eventually you crash one time to many but still need a rush!!!

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Stoner & Webber 2011 World Champions