Aktinson second in shakedown

Australia's Chris Atkinson has set the equal second fastetst time in the shakedown for Rally Japan, which starts at 9am, Australian time, today.

The Subaru star was equal with Ford's Mikko Hirvonen, with Rally Finland winner, Marcus Gronholm, two seconds clear of them both.

Atkinson led the Rally of Japan on the first day last year, before eventually finished the event in a career-best third place.

Shakedown times:

Pos Driver           Car       Time
 1. Marcus Gronholm  Ford      2:25.3 
 2. Mikko Hirvonen   Ford      2:27.1 
 =. Chris Atkinson   Subaru    2:27.1 
 4. Sebastien Loeb   Citroen   2:27.5 
 5. Gareth MacHale   Ford      2:28.3 
 6. Petter Solberg   Subaru    2:28.5 
 7. Daniel Sordo     Citroen   2:29.1 
 8. Luis Perez       Ford      2:29.9 
 9. Matthew Wilson   Ford      2:30.8 
10. Manfred Stohl    Peugeot   2:31.7

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