Atkinson retires after SS8

Subaru World Rally Team driver Chris Atkinson retired from Saturday’s competition in Greece because of damaged electrical wiring.

Atkinson reported no problems through the opening 32km Aghii Theodori stage and, like the other WRC crews, parked on the short road section after the finish to swap the tyres on his car.

But when he got back in his Impreza WRC2008 to drive to SS9 a problem with the electrical system meant he was unable to get his car's engine started.

Atkinson and his co-driver Stephane Prevot, who were seventh after SS8, tried in vain to identify the fault, but eventually ran out of time. Atkinson later traced the fault to some damaged wiring deep inside the cockpit.

Atkinson will restart the event as a Superally entry on Sunday.