Nathan Quinn looks back over his debut in the World Rally Championship in Australia, where he took eighth place on his outing in a Motorsport Italia-run MINI John Cooper Works WRC...

Q:
Congratulations on finishing Rally Au🥃stralia in 8th place outright on your WRC debut. What was your aim going into your first WRC event in a world rally car?

Nathan Quinn:
Thank you. My main a🀅im for Rally Australia was to get through the whole evꩵent and learn as much as possible about competing at this level. Coming home in the top ten was an absolute bonus!

Q:
Rally Australia🃏 had many unknowns for you: new car, new co-driver, new team and even some new roads. What was your biggest obstac൩le at the event?

Nathan Quinn:
I tried to take everything in my stride. It was an amazing opportunity, so I had no choice but to make the most of it! It was difficult to know how I'd do. It was my first rally in getting on for a year and although I felt on good form I had no bar to judge myself by. That said, I had a great support base 🌳around me, which really allowed me to focus on the task at hand. However, the transport to the last couple of stages was mentally really tough, my mind was going through a million scenarios of what could happen. Getting to the finish was such a relief!

Q:
What is it like to compare yourself with someꦫ of the best drive♔rs in the world?

Nathan Quinn:
It was an unreal opportunity. To be able to rub shoulders with those drivers I look up to and watch on TV is what dreams are made of. On a personal level it was great to find out what it really takes💝 to be the best...so now I can channel my direction more accurately.

Q:
Now t🐓hat the event is😼 over what is your focus for the immediate future?

Nathan Quinn:
Right n🧔ow it is to stay positive and ride the high! As well as that my biggest objective is to try and figure out how I am going to get back in that MINI by the end of the season!

Q:
What are your intentions long-term?

Nathan Quinn:
A professional full-time drive is my dream. I realise this is probably a little predictable, but I really think if I work hard and take advantage of every opportunity that I can get there. I think that it's also really important for me to stay grounded anဣd be a role model to my community.

Q:
What is the biggest thing you ൲have learnt from this w💦hole experience?

Nathan Quinn:
Never give up, don't sweat the small stuff and savour the moment. I have also learnt just how critical the team around y🌸ou are to your success. Also I have learnt that I want a MINI WRC car [laughs].

Q:
If you could offer one piece of advice to⛄ a young driver who is just enteওring the sport, what would it be?

Nathan Quinn:
Always hav✃e fun. I used to get caught up with stress from problems during a rally which would really dampen the experience. When you catch the high, remember that feeling and don't take for granted how lucky you are to be competing in an unreal sport!