Chris Atkinson has his focus firmly fixed on a top-five finish this weekend as Subaru aim for an upturn in fortune in Mexico.
The team heads into the third round of the year on the back foot after a tough start to life with the new 2006 specification Impreza and currently lie fourth in the manufacturers' standings, some 18 points behind leaders Ford.
Team leader
Petter Solberg has yet to score any drivers points, while Atkinson could only finish eleventh in Sweden on his debut in the new car after problems during the event.
However, Mexico marks the first repeat gravel event for Atkinson in a WRC car and he hoped to make the knowledge pay to fight for a strong result.
“It's exciting to get back to Mexico where we made our
World Rally Championship gravel debut,” he said. “We had a good run last year where we set some encouraging split times and matched the pace of other more experienced drivers. Based on this performance and the fact we know the event now we're looking for a good result, hopefully top five.
“After Sweden I did some testing with the new car. We're still learning about the Impreza WRC2006, but things are definitely going in the right direction.”
