Driver Profiles

Chris Atkinson

Nationality: Australian

Date of birth: 30/11/1979

2009 Team: Citroen Junior World Rally Team

2009 Codriver: Stephane Prevot

Remote:Service nickname: Atko/Mr Cool

He hasn’t had the best of luck since joining the WRC but hopefully things will start to go his way this year – only problem is we don’t know when he’s going to get an outing with his new team.

He’s shown he has the pace but now just needs to find the balance between aggression and pure common sense.

Personal trivia

• He shares my birthday, well he’s eight years older than me but the month and day are the same.

• I met him on Wales Rally GB 2006 – In an autograph queue he didn’t say a word to anyone but then he got to me, signed my picture and then looked up at me and said, “Hi, how you doing?” – he’s smooth is Akto, Mr Cool.

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Mikko Hirvonen

Nationality: Finnish

Date of birth: 31/07/1980

2009 Team: BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Jarmo Lehtinen

Remote:Service nickname: Mouse

He’s a lovely boy is Mikko Hirvonen. Polite, strong handshake, friendly, funny and also very fast when he has the confidence.

Ford is definitely his team. The car is perfect for his style but unfortunately he does everything his team tells him and that’s gained him the reputation of being a tactical driver but he’s not. I don’t think people give him enough credit for what he’s capable of – if Seb wasn’t around he’d be on top of the world.

Personal trivia:

• I interviewed him last year, he’s much shorter in real life and has the bluest eyes you’ll ever see.

• He’s got this strange way of looking at people – he looks at you that intently that it looks as if he’s trying to look into your head.

• When driving for Subaru he nearly knocked me and my brother over – he reversed too far in the Rally Germany service park.

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Jari-Matti Latvala

Nationality: Finnish

Date of birth:03/04/1985

2009 Team: BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Miikka Anttila

Remote:Service nickname: Mr Crash -I’m sorry Jari, as much as I love you this is the way it’s got to be, lets face it your form is pants at the moment.

He wears cool sunglasses and is the only person who “scared” Seb last year. He can be blindingly quick but so needs to learn how to control his speed.

He’s proved he’s more than a number two driver and expectations were high before the start of the 2009 season. When he gets away with it he’s unbeatable but his 2009 campaign hasn’t got off to the best start and I’m seriously worried about his contract being terminated.

Personal trivia:

• My family has followed his career since the days when he competed in the Jim Clark.

• He once picked a Rally Germany flag off the floor, signed it and gave it to me.

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Sebastien Loeb

Nationality: French

Date of birth: 26/02/1974

2009 Team: Citroen Total World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Daniel Elena

Remote:Service nickname: Michelin Man

What isn’t there to say about this man? He’s broken record after record and is considered to be the Michael Schumacher of rallying, except Seb has a bit more humility and has remained down to earth.

Unless disaster strikes there’s no doubt that he’ll take the championship again this year but then what? He’s already tried F1 and Le Mans and has been quick in both. Could the unsung hero of motorsport be the best driver in the world? I think so.

Personal trivia:

• Without realising it me and my brother wandered into a VIP carpark during Rally Germany 2004. We came across a people carrier with good old Seb sat in the back. As my mum is a massive fan I asked him to say ‘Hello Carol’ (Carol is my mum) into the video camera – and he did, giving a little wink and smile too. It made my mum’s whole year.

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Evgeny Novikov

Nationality: Russian

Date of birth: 19/09/1990

2009 Team: Citroen Junior World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Dale Moscatt

Remote:Service nickname: He’s so new he hasn’t got one yet.

I’ll be honest, I can’t say much about this guy because he’s just jumped on to the scene. The only thing I know is that he’s Russian, he signed for eight rounds this year and he’s impressed many people already.

Personal trivia:

• He’s younger than me! By a whole three years as well, man I’m getting old now!

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Sebastien Ogier

Nationality: French

Date of birth: 17/12/1983

2009 Team: Citroen Junior World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Julien Ingrassia

Remote:Service nickname: The new Seb or Little Seb

This guy is definitely Remote:Service’s hot tip for future greatness.

He was the surprise of 2008. With full backing from the French motorsport federation he won the JWRC crown in his first real competitive year and did you see him in Wales Rally GB?!

In his first ever outing in a WRC car he stormed to an early lead only to be let down by a dodgy gearbox.

Personal trivia:

• I’ve never met this one but I look forward to the day I do – What a star!

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Mads Ostberg

Nationality: Norweigan

Date of birth: 11/10/1987

2009 Team: Adapta World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Ole Kristian Unnerud

Remote:Service nickname: Hasn’t got one yet!

He’s remained loyal to Subaru and is trying his best to get a bit of pace out of the latest Impreza. He’s one of the youngest drivers in the WRC but he certainly isn’t a novice – as a two-time Norwegian Rally Champion he’s got a lot of experience but also has a bit of a tendency to get over-excited and have the odd mishap or two.

Personal trivia:

• Another one I’ve never met.

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Conrad Rautenbach

Nationality: Zimbabwean

Date of birth: 12/11/1984

2009 Team: Citroen Junior World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Daniel Barritt

Remote:Service nickname: Conrad, Conrad

He’s been around a while has this one….Someone once told me that his mum used to be one of the principal organisers of the Safari Rally so rallying is in his blood, but don’t take this as gospel.

He’s probably most famous for crashing into Seb last year.

He had a full season in 2008 so knows more about the WRC than any of his team-mates. The question is will he put it into practice??

Personal trivia:

• A few years ago I was sat in a van in a makeshift carpark on Halfway Wales Rally GB quietly minding my own business when a tow truck dragged a rather sorry looking Conrad and his car right in front of me. He looked rather sheepish to say the least, especially when his team had to come and pick him up.

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Henning Solberg

Nationality: Norwegian

Date of birth: 09/01/1973

2009 Team: Stobart VK M-Sport Ford World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Cato Menkerud

Remote:Service nickname: Comedy Henning

As the older brother to the 2003 world champ he’s permanently left Petter’s shadow but, although his picture doesn’t show it, he’s probably the happiest man in the service park.

His fits of giggles are infectious and he just makes me smile. He’s a good driver but doesn’t have his brother’s talent, he’s however an absolute crowd-pleaser so long may he continue on the world stage.

Personal trivia:

• He’s been in the WRC on and off for years now but weirdly I am yet to meet him in person.

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Petter Solberg

Nationality: Norwegian

Date of birth: 18/11/1974

2009 Team: Petter Solberg World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Phil Mills

Remote:Service nickname: Officially known as ‘Hollywood’, unofficially known as ‘my guy’

I will defend this man ’til the end. Fact.

After eight loyal years at Subaru he was stabbed in the back when the manufacturer unexpectedly pulled out of the WRC at the end of 2008.

After three years without a win he’s set up his own team from scratch and like his fans he’s desperate for that win. Many doubted his ability but he’s come back stronger than ever and a podium position in Cyprus put the critics firmly in their place.

During the last disastrous few years with Subaru he seems to have calmed down a little in his old age but I’m sure if we get this win this season the old Petter Solberg sparkle will be revived.

Personal trivia:

Where do I start?!

• First time I met him, Rally Germany 2004, he signed my poster and gave me the famous wink and I was hooked.

• He beeped his horn, flashed his lights and did a fancy bit of weaving when I was stood with my Norwegian flag on a road section.

• He signed my Subaru cap.

• He gave me a lovely hug after posing for a picture and signing my carefully made poster, I was only 16.

• When in Spain for Rally Catalunya he and David Lapworth ran past me on the beach, he was wearing shorts and had nice toned, tanned legs, Petter that is, not Big Dave.

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Dani Sordo

Nationality: Spanish

Date of birth: 02/05/1983

2009 Team: Citroen Total World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Marc Matti

Remote:Service nickname: The guy who could have been great – I know, not brilliant but it’s true and he hasn’t interested me enough to think up a better one.

I don’t really know what to say about this guy. I think if he hadn’t had his succession of pretty embarrassing crashes a few years back he could have been brilliant.

He keeps up with the pack and he stops the Fords hampering Seb’s chances. A consistently good driver but there’s nothing that exciting about him. He seems to have just settled into a steady rhythm to avoid crashing and this often leaves me wondering just why he’s still got his seat.

He’s still looking for his first win but I really don’t think he’s got any chance of getting it until he dares to step out of his comfort zone and challenge his team-mate.

Personal trivia:

• I photo-documented his end of day one service during Wales Rally GB 2008.

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Federico Villagra

Nationality: Argentinean

Date of birth: 21/05/1969

2009 Team: Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Jorge Perez Companc

Remote:Service nickname: Coyote

He’s an old one is Federico. The seven-time Argentinean champ’s name has been on the entry list of many a rally for many years.

His start to the season may have been somewhat delayed and he’s not really likely to match the pace of the top guys but his presence is most welcomed by Remote:Service.

Personal trivia:

• I don’t think I’ve ever been to a rally he’s entered so I am yet to meet this guy in person.

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Matthew Wilson

Nationality: British

Date of birth: 29/01/1987

2009 Team: Stobart VK M-Sport World Rally Team

2009 Co-driver: Scott Martin

Remote:Service nickname: Moon man Matthew

Our young Brit, our rising star… He’s come under fire the past few seasons for not so brilliant but bless him he keeps very quiet, keeping his head down and carries with his quest to fulfill his dream of being the next Burns/McRae.

Building a team around him he’s now four years into his Dad’s, Malcolm Wilson’s, five year plan to kick start his rallying career. There has been the odd burst of speed here and there but not enough to satisfy the critics and like many I think he would be better off honing his skills in another team.

Personal trivia:

• Matt was the first ever person I interviewed at the tender age of 17. He told me he was going to win the world championship by the time he was 25.