Subaru Announces a New Driver For the 2017 WRX STI GRC Supercar

Lasek and Isachsen won’t be behind the wheel of the new 2017 Subaru WRX STI GRC supercar in Atlantic City. Remember Chris Atkinson?

Subaru has a new driver for the 2017 WRX STI Red Bull Global Rallycross supercar. They will debut both in Atlantic City, NJ this weekend. Chris Atkinson is the driver, an Australian, who drove for Subaru’s World Rally Team between 2005 and 2008. He’s back with Subaru and will be the new driver for the 2017 STI.

Interestingly, it will be Atkinson, and not Sverre Isachsen or Bucky Lasek who’s behind the wheel of the newly-built 2017 Subaru WRX STI. Atkinson is new to Global Rallycross, and the Atlantic City Red Bull GRC round will be the Australian’s first-ever rallycross event.

Subaru’s technical partners, Vermont SportsCar and Subaru Tecnica International (STI) have been preparing and testing the new 2017 WRX STI GRC car and its development all season. They feel the car is ready for its first race before its first full season in 2017. The team must think Atkinson will be the better choice for its first outing.

Atkinson says he’s ready for the new challenge

“It’s pretty mad. I’m used to a 340hp rally car and not a 600hp Supercar. It definitely goes well compared to what I’m used to. That was my biggest impression on the car. The rest is quite similar to a rally car in terms of handling and dynamics so I got used to it pretty quickly,” explained Atkinson. “I had a big smile on my face every time I got on the gas! That was pretty cool.”

Subaru will officially unveil the all-new Subaru WRX STI GRC supercar at the ninth round of Red Bull Global Rallycross at Bader Field in Atlantic City, NJ. The GRC race will be held this weekend August 27-28. Lasek and Isachsen won’t be behind the wheel of the new 2017 Subaru WRX STI GRC supercar in Atlantic City. How will Chris Atkinson handle the new 2017 STI? Stay tuned.

Source: Subaru

Image source: Subaru Motorsports