Inkster shows promise on Group N debut

Auckland' s Glenn Inkster has shown huge promise including several top stage times on his debut in the premier Group N (production) class.

Driving the Team TransNet Extreme Evo 9, Inkster and co-driver Glenn Goldring steadily improved throughout the Rally Otago, the opening round of the New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC). Day Two saw the pair start with a fastest time in class and second outright, before an electrical problem hampered them through the days second and third stages, eventually causing their retirement touring to the days first service park.

With only a couple of rally sprints under his belt in the new car, Inkster was apprehensive prior to the start of the first stage but he soon put any doubts to rest a good stage time through the first of the days 8 stages

Inkster then set a string of top ten stage times throughout the day, steadily improving to a fantastic fourth on the final forestry stage, and a sixth placing on the tarmac super special stage to finish the day ninth (seventh in Group N)

The second day started well for the team, recording the second fastest time for the stage and quickest of the Group N cars on the iconic Whare Flat stage.

Entering the start control for the days second stage, the car started to experience some electrical difficulties that cost some time in the next two stages.

Worse was to come. Whilst touring from the third stage to the safety of the service park, the electrical problem caused the car to cut out and it refused to restart, meaning the end of the event for Team TransNet Extreme.

"Obviously it's quite disappointing as we were really getting a hang of the car and setting some really good stage times," said Inkster , "But we are definitely happy with the progress we have made over the weekend, and we now look forward to the biggest event of the year in early May, Rally New Zealand."