Although the Queenslander has endured a fairly miserable season to date, it is believed that several manufacturers have shown interest in his services for next season, including former employer Suzuki, who will begin their WRC program in 2008, but are expected to contest some events next year.
With talk of a return to the sport by Skoda, Mitsubishi and Hyundai in 2008, Atkinson could be in a strong position in the driver market.
Meanwhile, Atkinson is expected to enter the recently announced SunCoast Classic tarmac rally on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, to be held next July.
The event will fall during the mid-season break in next year’s WRC, and Atkinson is penciled in to drive a Mazda RX3 which is currently being built for the event.
“We want to give the Escorts a real run for their money in that event,” one source close to Atkinson told RallySport Magazine.
There is also the distinct possibility that Atkinson will have a celebrity co-driver in the event. “Who knows, we might even try to get Miss Australia or somebody like that,” the source added.
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