Atkinson leads after Rally Whangarei shakedown

Australia’s Chris Atkinson has set the fastest time at this morning’s shakedown stage in New Zealand as the countdown begins towards the opening stage of the International Rally of Whangarei – Round 1 of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship.

Atkinson was over a full second quicker than his Skoda MRF teammate Gaurav Gill with Proton’s PG Andersson a further half a second behind the two Skodas and local competitor Sloan Cox.

“The car was awesome today and it was great to kick start the season with a fastest time,” commented Atkinson.

“But the real action starts tomorrow and it’s going to be tricky with on these stages as the surface is very loose with the dry conditions over here.

Shakedown Results:
1. Chris Atkinson (AUS) – 51.2s
2. Gaurav Gill (IND) – 52.5s
3. Sloan Cox (NZ) – 52.7s
4. Per Gunnar Andersson (SWE) – 52.9s
5. Richard Mason (NZ) – 53.3s
6. West (NZ) – 53.5s
7. Emma Gilmour (NZ) – 53.6s
8. Alister McRae (GBR) – 53.7s

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