Quinn to debut new car at ROQ
Finally, its up up and away as Coffs Harbour Rally Driver Nathan Quinn gets to drive his newly acquired Ex Spencer Lowndes Evolution 9 Mitsubishi Lancer in anger. Held on the Sunshine Coast in QLD it is Round 2 of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and round 3 of the Australian rally Championship, (ARC).
It is undoubtedly their most important event to date.
Previous to this the team attempted the APRC round in Canberra in 2008 but did not finish the event after the fuel pump failed on the very first stage in their ageing Mitsubishi Evolution 5 Lancer.
9th in the Australian Rally championship in 2008 after only contesting 2 rounds, and the number 1 seed in NSW, the team are upbeat about their chances next weekend.
“I have been able to do a short test in the 9 and the times are impressive to say the least. It’s a lot faster and much easier to get the speed in than the Evo 5” Said Nathan.
A good result could see Quinn qualify for the Pirelli Star programme and on offer is a spot in the shoot out at the world round in September in Australia, which will decide who will win 6 drives in the 2010 World Rally Championship. This is a very rare, if not unique opportunity for an Australian to get to the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Quinn is also sporting a new codriver in Dave Green who most recently has partnered champion driver Michael guest.
Seeded car 12 in the international leg of the event totalling 70 cars, Team Quinn is hopeful and quietly confident of a good showing.
“Last year we were able to set some pretty good stage times including the odd 2nd outright” Said Team manager and dad Martin Quinn.
“Nathan finished 5th outright and 2nd outright in the last 2 ARC’s in 2008 without putting a mark on the car that was 10 years older than those that beat him. This thing we have now is far superior. I’d be very surprised if we’re not at the pointy end very quickly”.
His competitors do have one thing on the young charger. Nathan has not completed a rally since his 2nd place in Coffs Harbour in November last year.
“yes it will be a concern, no doubt” said Nathan. “These guys will have their eye in for sure. We attempted the rally in Canberra early this year but only managed a few Km’s when the engine failed due to poor quality fuel. These guys have 3 maybe 4 rallies under their belt this year already. We can only do what we can do, but maybe I can use this as an excuse if it doesn’t go well for us!”
The team are the pride of Coffs Harbour and well supported by the local business community.
Allied air conditioning and Refrigeration Coffs Harbour, Florent and Mundey Real Estate, Natrad, The Plastics Factory, Xpress printing, Hi Tech drivelines and Leonard mufflers, Beaurepairs, Ultra Tune, North Coast Engines, Cowlings R&R Carpets, Xcorp,
