Nathan Quinn is a late inclusion into the Adelaide Hills Rally after Ian Griffin was forced to withdraw from the event.
The 2017 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) winner unfortunately missed out on getting his entry in for the sixth round of the 2022 season earlier this month but was handed a lifeline when Griffin became suddenly unavailable and the entry was transferred.
Behind the wheel of his Hyundai i20 G4 alongside regular co-driver Ray Winwood Smith, this rally will just be Quinn’s second for the season after a forgettable weekend at the Netier National Capital Rally earlier this year.
In what has become a series of fortunate events that worked in Quinn’s favour, the New South Welshman is now full steam ahead of the South Australian rally.
“We have always wanted to have a go at a proper Super Special stage and this is the perfect chance to get that proper tarmac experience,” Quinn said.
“It was a bit of a comedy of errors with not getting our entry in, however when we missed out on the most recent state round due to flooding, we had itchy feet to do some rallying – especially with Coffs coming up.
“Fortunately for us, the stars all lined up and we were able to not only enter the event, but even had Jody Mills’ dad offer to take the car, so it has worked out pretty well.
“It’s all happened pretty quickly, and I guess there would have been a few more things that I would have liked to hone in on in preparation, but it’s an event that offers repeat sections that will be good for getting data and improving.
“We are really looking forward to the event for a couple of reasons. One, because we had a chance to compete since we caused damage in what was a disastrous Canberra rally and the fact that it’s very cool that we’re on a track – the only tarmac experience I have had is delivering pizzas back in 2003.”
As for what Quinn’s expectations are for the event after entering so late, it was a simple matter of getting more seat time ahead of the Supercheap Auto Coffs Coast Rally.
“The car is in good nick. We have had some teething issue with handling, but overall, we are pretty happy with where it is at,” Quinn added.
“Since Canberra, we have done 200 kilometres of blind rally and it’s feeling good and we know it’s capable.
“I guess I would also like to see the comparisons between myself and Harry and see if the gap between us has reduced. I expect Richie (Dalton), Arron (Windus) and Lewis (Bates) should also be quick.
“Realistically, we want to be in the best place to win Coffs – my home rally – I’ve won it as a class rally, but it’s important to be able to win the event outright, and Adelaide could definitely help.”
Click here to view the entry list.
Tickets for the event are available to be purchased and can be done so here.
The 2022 Adelaide Hills Rally takes place in and around the forests of Adelaide and The Bend Motorsport Park on 21-23 October.
