In form but wary

Atkinson, driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STi, has second and third places from the three rallies so far in the 2008 world championship.

Yet he is not expecting a podium this time.

“It's a rally I've still to come to grips with speed wise.”

He claimed that much more experience than his three events in Argentina was needed to do well there.

Day one will be on very fast roads, said to be similar to those in Mexico where Atkinson finished second four weeks ago. Day two is run on a hard base of sand. Day three climbs the twisty mountain roads.

So a new set up is needed for the car each day, according to Atkinson's engineers at the Subaru World Rally Team.

Atkinson sits fourth on points in the championship with his 14.

Leader is Ford's Mikko Hirvonen who again will be first car away and so act as “road sweeper” for following cars, which cost him heaps of time in Mexico.