by Rob Wilkins


Subaru's Chris Atkinson has set his sights on getting regular podium finishes next season.

Atkinson will remain with the Banbury-based outfit for the fourth year in succession in 2008 and while he didn't manage any top three results in '07, the Aussie was up against it as the Impreza WRC was no match for the Citroen C4 WRC or the 'factory-run' Ford Focus RS WRC's.

"I would just like to keep improving, even more consistency, even more speed and try and start getting a consistent level of podiums," Chris told Crash.net Radio when asked about his targets for next year.

"We obviously hoped that this year but it was difficult and the best results we had were a few fourth places, but no podiums.

"That is where we want to get back to. We want to get into a position where we can hopefully fight for a championship in the next year or two."

As for the season just gone, Chris added that while it was tough, there were still a lot of positives: "We moved forward in quite a lot of areas - with my driving in different conditions and with my pace on tarmac," he explained. "We won stages on every surface too, which was quite good.

"But obviously it wasn't the result the team was looking for and I guess we all know that. That is why we will keep working hard for next year and we are looking forward to the new car as well."

Pressed on if he found it difficult to stay motivated, he conceded it was tough: "I guess the good results we had and the good stage times kept everyone motivated in the team and kept me motivated to keep training hard. But obviously you have your moments as well," he continued.

"That is part of the sport and part of everyone's life in sport. You are going to have those times and you have just got to get on with it and move on and keep looking forward."

So how does he see things shaping up in 2008?

"Obviously Sebastien [Loeb] is going to be the guy to beat again and we are looking - Petter and myself, both to be up there competing for wins and podiums. But whether we can do that straight away we will have to wait and see.

"Mikko [Hirvonen] looks like he is coming on really well and he is doing some really top rallies. It would be good to see him fighting with Sebastien. We don't want to see Sebastian walk away with it.

"We want to see some action. We want to hopefully have three or four drivers fighting for rally wins. That would be the best thing and it makes it fun for us as drivers as well," Chris concluded.