This time last year Nathan Quinn and the team ventured to QLD for their first attempt at a pace noted rally and finished a credible 7th outright. One year later, and last weekends efforts saw them take out the KCF rally by nearly one full minute making it 4 wins from 4 starts, and an impressive 32 straight special stage wins.

Held in the forests of Kilcoy north of Brisbane, Quinn battled an impressive field of drivers including former ARC campaigners, on very demanding roads.

“It was a hard event to win” said the young star. “the first 5 places were filled by Mitsubishi Evo’s like ours and I really had to keep focused, some of these guys are really experienced”.

“But I was able to remain calm and do my job and was relieved to notice that the tools and training that was provided to me at the first camp of the AIS last month really helped me. Everyone in the crew had faith in me, and all I had to do was draw on that and use it to my advantage.”

The event was brought about due to the postponement of events on the north coast that were critical in Nathan’s plans to prepare for his debut at the International Asia Pacific Rally, the Rally of Canberra on the 11th of May, and several rounds of the Australian Rally Championship.

“Our plan has always been to get Nathan to the Australian round of the world championship that was scheduled for this year” said sponsor Sean Broadbent.
“Unfortunately that too has been postponed, so we are now focused on the Asia Pacific Championship which is only one level below. We are hoping that it will help eventuate a drive overseas later this year, and help us make the step with funding to attempt the world championship next year.”

In only his 17th rally, the relatively inexperienced Quinn is attracting some heavy weight attention with notable co drivers bidding to join the team.

“This weekend in QLD was the perfect opportunity to test new CoDriver Craig Jones” said dad and team manager Martin. “Craig comes fresh from winning the highly competitive privateers cup, the BP Challenge, in Last years Australian Championship and has an immense amount of experience at that elite level that can only help our team”

“Needless to say he performed brilliantly and was instrumental in the win at the weekend” he said.

The Melbournian and now Central coast based navigator is full of praise for the Coffs Harbour lad and is looking forward to the year ahead.

“Along with the rest of the country, I first saw Nathan last year at the ARC in Forster. Like the rest of the country I was blown away by his speed and the level of professionalism displayed by his team and supporters”.

I sought an opportunity to sit with him and was pleasantly surprised to get the call last week for the KCF”

‘I have sat with some pretty fast guys over the last few years, and I can tell you that this young guy is the goods. He is already on the pace with the front runners in a car that shouldn’t be, and my mind keeps telling me he doesn’t have the experience to be that quick. But he is, and he is easy on the car. I can’t wait to get to the ARC again, but more importantly I hope I can bring that little bit extra to the team and help get him overseas, where he should be”

The next event for the crew will be the rally of Canberra in May so now the time will be spent preparing the car and crew for the gruelling 2 day test.

“I feel we are ready for Canberra right now” said Nathan. “sure I wish there were a few more events in between, but there isn’t. Canberra will be a catalyst for the future so its important to get it right. I think I’ve got one of the best crews out there at the moment so we’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing for the last 4 events.” he said.