01 Aug 2008

Subaru rally driver Chris Atkinson has finished third fastest on the opening Super Special Stage at Rally Finland overnight.

The stage was won by reigning world champion Sebastien Loeb, who finished the 2.06 kilometre stage in Killeri only 0.3 seconds ahead of Danni Sordo.

Atkinson was next quickest, tied with Mikko Hirvonen, just one tenth of a second further back.

The rally recommences Friday (2.30 Australian time) for the first full day of racing with a further ten stages of competition across 129 competitive kilometres.

Results – end day one – Rally Finland

1. LOEB, Citroën, 01:20.5,
2. SORDO, Citroën, 01:20.8, +00.3
3. HIRVONEN, Ford, 01:20.9, +00.4
4. ATKINSON, Subaru, 01:20.9, +00.4
5. P SOLBERG, Subaru, 01:21.1, +00.6
6. LATVALA, Ford, 01:21.3, +00.8
7. AAVA, Citroën, 01:21.4, +00.9
8. MIKKELSEN, Ford, 01:21.5, +01.1


TV sports and news editors please note:

News feeds direct from Finland featuring Chris Atkinson (including action from the opening stage) will be available free-of-charge via SBS in Sydney on Thursday night, Friday night and Sunday night Australian time.