Atkinson tests Proton Satria

Atkinson is the latest in a long line of drivers to have completed a test of the car which finished second on last year's Rally of Scotland. Proton is currently finalising its second driver plans for this season, with Alister McRae already confirmed as the team leader.

Atkinson, who has never driven a Super 2000 car previously, was in the car for much of the day at the mid-Wales test venue. The test started in dry weather with snow falling towards the end of the day.

British teenage driver Tom Cave, who recently purchased a Satria for selected Intercontinental Rally Challenge rounds this season, was also present to complete his first run in the car.

Proton MEM team principal Chris Mellors said: "Chris was in the country on Wednesday and we were up testing, it made a lot of sense to put him in the car. We were doing some engine data work, which is also why we brought Tom down to get him out in the car for some experience.

"It was a good day, we're still looking at a range of drivers [for the second seat], but it was good to have somebody of Chris's experience in the car."