Is Atko out of favour with Proton?

[curry]

Just wondering if anyone knows why Chris Atkinson didn't get a drive in Zlin and now I hear he won't get a drive in Sanremo either with one seat going to McShea and the other to 'interesting name'.

I've heard unconfirmed reports that Rally Indonesia isn't going ahead which means Chris has lost another drive.

Anyone got any info?

[rsmith16]

Just wondering if anyone knows why Chris Atkinson didn't get a drive in Zlin and now I hear he won't get a drive in Sanremo either with one seat going to McShea and the other to 'interesting name'.

I've heard unconfirmed reports that Rally Indonesia isn't going ahead which means Chris has lost another drive.

Anyone got any info?

I was sure I'd read somewhere that Proton's main championship this year was the APRC which is what Atko & McRae had been employed for with the IRC / ERC etc as an extra & that the 2 named drivers may or may not compete on the additional events.

[Mirek]

I would like to see Keith Cronin again in Proton. He was maybe the nicest surprise of Barum rally for me.

[pettersolberg29]

I agree with Mirek - Cronin showed surprising pace and put McShea to shame really. Lets hope McShea picks up his pace in Sanremo.

Looking forward to the 'interesting name'. Maybe Basso or Travaglia with their local knowledge?

[Mirek]

Basso and Travaglia are both under contract for C.I.R. which is run in Sanremo also.

[pettersolberg29]

Fair enough - any other top class Italian drivers availible, or do they all have other plans already? How about Andreucci who showed great pace in Sardinia?

Personally I'd like to see someone like Duval, Gardemeister or even Panizzi get the drive. Panizzi would provide invaluable knowledge, and may be tempted out of retirement. He was linked to being a test driver for Proton I believe.

[Mirek]

Andreucci is official driver of Peugeot Italia. Again no way

[Gordini]

Put in Rossetti in a Proton, or Ostberg. But I agree Cronin was the surprise of the rallty :-)

[pettersolberg29]

]Andreucci is official driver of Peugeot Italia. Again no way

I don't think I'll try any more guesses before my hideous lack of knowledge is further exposed

edit: Rossetti - that's who I was thinking of. Thanks Gordini!

[Mirek]

Rossetti is factory driver of Abarth. Sorry to spoil Your wishes again...

Anyway good news is that all of them will be in Sanremo