Nathan Quinn gets Mini opportunity in Australia

Australian fans will have a home-grown hero in a top-level World Rally Car to support in next month’s Coates Hire Rally Australia after Coffs Harbour resident Nathan Quinn announced he will drive a Mini John Cooper Works.

Quinn, 29, [pictured] a tyre dealer in the rally’s host town, is a seasoned competitor in the FIA Asia Pacific, China and Australian Rally Championships. He has tackled Rally Australia twice before, in 2009 and 2011, but failed to finish on both occasions due to mechanical problems.

“This is the biggest chance of my career and I’ve put everything on the line to get it,” said Quinn. “I’m determined to get to the finish line on Sunday afternoon and if I can do that I’m fairly confident of a good result."

The car will be run by Motorsport Italia, the squad that managed Mini’s works team programme in 2012. “It’s a thoroughly-proven rally car and the team is bringing the latest 01C engine designed by BMW for me to use,” added Quinn. “It will be the fastest rally car I’ve ever driven and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.”

“I expect to be cleaning the roads for most of day one, but would like to be keeping up with the top ten so that on days two and three, I can target a clear top ten finish. Ideally, I’d like to shoot for some top five stage times if the conditions are right, but first I have to get the right feeling with the Mini and build up my confidence. Whatever happens, it’s an incredible opportunity. I’m absolutely going to give it my best shot."

Rally Australia has not featured a local driver in a World Rally Car since Queenslander Chris Atkinson competed for Subaru’s works team in 2006.