The 2023 American Rally Association season starts in less than a month, meaning we get to see some new cars, such as the one from ATR Rallyteam.
What Is It?
The ATR Rallyteam will use a 2015 Citroen DS3 R5 for their 2023 American Rally season, and potentially beyond.
History Of The Car
The ATR Rallyteam isn’t the first team to own or use this DS3. As four other teams have used it since 2015. It has competed in 13 rallies and one as a course car. The car was most recently used by the Roustemis Motorsport team at the Skoda Karellis Rally Fthiotidos last year. Its highest finish came in its first rally. Which was the Lotos Rally Poland in 2015 where the car placed 14th. Driven by Karl Kruuda of the ME3 Rally Team. The car has retired from 8 of the 13 events it’s competed in due to mechanical or technical issues. It also retired once due to unknown reasons, thus meaning it has retired from 9 out of 13 events competed. This gives the car a 69% retirement rate. The ATR Rallyteam will hopefully get better results with the car. Unless Myron Georgakopoulos decides to turn this into a tricycle like he did his Subaru STI at STPR last year.
Some WRC History
The ATR Rallyteam’s new Citroen DS3 R5 has seen some action at WRC events. Most notably in its debut rally as well as the second to last rally it has competed to date. The car finished 13th in the WRC2 class twice, once at Neste Rally Finland in 2017 and again at the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece in 2021.
Where Will We See The ATR Rallyteam?
The ATR Rallyteam’s schedule isn’t 100% set in stone as of now. However, there are a few events they have confirmed as well as potential ones they are looking at. The new Citroen DS3 will make its debut at the Sandblast Rally in just over a month, with Myron Georgakopoulos behind the wheel. The car will make its second appearance at the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood in March with Myron behind the wheel. Joining Myron at the Rally In The 100 Acre Wood will be his father, George Georgakopoulos. George will be making his return to rallying after a nearly 10-year absence. As his last rally was the 2013 running of the Sandblast Rally. George will drive the Subaru STI that Myron took on a joyride last year at STPR. The ATR Rallyteam will potentially take part in the Oregon Trail Rally, New England Forest Rally and Ojibwe Forests Rally as well this season.
My name is Joe Moore. I am a writer for Belly Up Hockey, Belly Up Racing, and Belly Up Sports. You can find me on Twitter.
