Palmer chasing sponsors for South Island rounds
Quentin Palmer sits third in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship and could well be a dark horse this season but that will depend on sponsorship.
Palmer scored his maiden NZRC podium at the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally on the back of a faultless drive that saw his consistency rewarded.
But with budgets tight and sponsorship proving hard to find, his title shot could well come down to securing an extra sponsor or two before the next round in Canterbury at Kings Birthday weekend.
“Sponsorship is hard to find at the moment,” Palmer said. “We are finding it hard to get at the moment. Budget is tight, and if we don’t get any help we more than likely won’t be able to do the rest of the South Island rounds.”
That would be a huge disappointment as Palmer’s consistent pace in the unfamiliar Otago roads could see him become a genuine title contender, especially once he gets onto roads he knows in the North Island.
Palmer is the defending North Island Rally Series champion.
“Consistency is key with the championship I believe, as our result at Otago showed,” Palmer said. “It’s a long way to the final and Otago was a long rally. Finishing every round and collecting as many points as possible each round gives you the best chance.
“Our Otago result was unexpected. The plan was to finish the rally then the results would come.
“We kind of knew on Saturday that it was a rally of high attrition so knew we had to get to the end. We stuck to the plan and didn’t take any major risks.”
“I definitely have a lot more experience with the North Island rounds, having done most of the rallies up here.
“If we do the whole championship that would be my plan, gather experience in the south and collect best possible points, then North Island rounds could push a bit.”
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