I have to drive something

But it won't be back in Australia.

Chris Atkinson is fighting to rebuild his shattered career after Subaru's shock withdrawal from the World Rally Championship.

Atkinson has just completed his best season — finishing fifth in the championship with a string of second places and beating Subaru team leader Petter Solberg — but now finds himself without a car.

“At the moment I still have a contract with Subaru for 2009. But obviously if they are not competing then neither am I,” Atkinson said yesterday from his base in Monaco.

“That's about as much as I know at the moment. I've been loyal to Subaru and that's the disappointing thing.

“There are only five or six drivers in the world at our level so hopefully I will be wanted somewhere.”

The Queenslander has battled to establish himself among the world's motorsport elite, winning a multi-million-dollar salary with his speed and commitment to the British-based team.

But Subaru company president Ikuo Mori said in Tokyo the withdrawal was forced by the global economic crisis.

“While this decision is sudden it was necessary,” Mori said as he battled tears.

Subaru's move follows Honda closing its Formula One team and a similar WRC withdrawal by Suzuki.

Atkinson admitted he was shocked when told of Subaru's decision by Prodrive, which runs the factory's Impreza rally squad.

“I'm a little bit surprised. I definitely didn't expect it, especially with everyone having contracts for next year,” Atkinson said. “Maybe at the end of next year . . .”

Atkinson and his management team are looking for another team but, despite his world ranking, there are only two remaining WRC manufacturer teams — Ford and Citroen — and both are full.

“Obviously I still want to race and compete, but with the championship at the moment it looks difficult to get a drive,” Atkinson said.

“You've always got to keep your eye out for what's available, but there is not too much to chase in the WRC.”

Prodrive plans to continue with privately-funded Subarus in the WRC next year, and Ford and Citroen also field second-tier teams, but Atkinson will not pay to drive.

“I think of the options that are available they require sponsorship to be brought,” he said. “It wouldn't be ideal. That's not what I want to do.”

But he plans to keep rallying at the highest level possible.

“I have to drive something. You can't just stop,” he said.

That could mean a move to the International Rally Series, which fields S2000 cars similar to the Toyota Corolla which Neal Bates took to this year's Australian Rally Championship, or stepping back into a production class Subaru Impreza in the Group N category of the world championship.

“There are a lot of good things about that championship (the IRC) and we need manufacturers in there, so that's an interesting situation,” Atkinson said.

“I don't know if Subaru is planning anything on that front, or the Super 2000 category, but they will still be involved in Group N.

“I'll be happy if the phone rings, but we have to see what happens.

“I don't want to be too confident. I haven't looked at too many options. We only found out on Monday.”

But Atkinson has no intention of retreating to Australia, even if he could pick up a drive in the national championship.

“I've got no plans to come back at the moment,” he said.