Atkinson interested in IRC drive

Atkinson will tackle next week's Rally Ireland, the opening round of the World Rally Championship, as part of the Citroen Junior Team, but the Queenslander says he wants to look at the possibility of driving in IRC as well as the WRC this year.

"I'd seriously consider a drive here in this championship," said Atkinson. "There are only two manufacturers in WRC at the moment. I think, as a driver who has finished on the podium in WRC, I could be valuable to the IRC.

"This is my job, I'm a professional rally driver and I've been a factory driver for six years now, the last four of those with Subaru.

"What's happening this year is a small blip. If there is a drive available, I'd be interested. The cars look interesting, okay they're not as quick as the WRC cars, but even when I drove a Group N car we were committed.

"I'm not going to say we'd come here and win, but we could put on a good show which would be of real value to someone."