RallySport Magazine February 2017

2016 STATE RALLY CHAMPIONS
NEW SOUTH WALES
Driver: Nathan Quinn
Co-Driver: Bruce Tyler / David
Calder
Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
Nathan Quinn again showed his
considerable pace in 2016.
Photos: Peter Whitten
2016 results: State Champion, 2nd
outright Rally New England NSWRC, 2nd
outright Rally of Canberra (ARC) and
first NSWRC, 1st NSWRC Rally Australia
Sponsors: Coffs Coast, Repco, Wurth,
Century Batteries, Goodprice Pharmacy
Wharehouse, Cowling’s R&R Carpets,
Valvoline, MD3, Florrent & Mundey Real
Estate, Steve Arthur Electrical
Best results prior to 2016: 2015 NSWRC
Champion. 2013 Rally Australia
8th outright (Mini JCW WRCar), 1st
outright Rally Johor (Malaysia Rally
Championship)
What was your best performance of 2016 and why?
Rally of Camberra. Prior to this result
I think between myself and my old man
we amounted six attempts and zero
finishes. It was good to get the monkey
off our back and secure a good return
result to the ARC.
What was the key moment of the season for you?
Difficult to pin point one moment. I
think we had to work harder this year,
as luck seemed to be against us from
having a perfect run. Persistence was
the key to the whole year!
What makes the state championship so competitive,
and such a prestigious title to win?
The NSWRC has been very active with
the social media. The competition at
the top has been great, with some long
time regulars still setting competitive
times in ever improving cars.
For me, the tulip (non-pacenoted)
aspect of the events really tightens
38 | RALLYSPORT MAGAZINE - FEBRUARY 2017
up the
competition,
like the ‘old
days’ - I guess it
sorts the men
from the boys.
I love that
adventure side
of the sport
where you
have no idea
where you are
or where you
are going.
For me,
the state
championship
is something I
was exposed
to in the late
80s and has
bred some very popular and strong ARC
names!
How long has your co-driver been with you, and
what does he bring to the combination?
Fortunately I have a selection of codrivers
that I manage to adapt to, and
vice versa. It’s imperative that they can
be trusted, as you really can not do it
without them, let alone get to the start
of the event.
What are your plans for 2017? Will it be the same
car, co-driver and driver combination?
At this stage, I will see. My aspirations
are national and international, which
beckons for an updated car. If that falls
through then I will spend time getting
my first rally car into fighting form
again, and perhaps have a good crack
at the Alpine Rally. I’m not sure of the
last rotary to win the Alpine?
Do you have any plans to contest any ARC rounds
outside your home state? If so, which ones?
I am looking at ways/cars to be
competitive for 2017’s ARC. However,
I don’t have much pocket money
left to do a full series, and we found
that running ARC events on less than
$10,000 can have adverse results.
Deep down I would love to win an
ARC round, as I know I can do it with
the right resources. Furthermore, the
championship is going to be stronger
again in 2017!