On the Brink Motorsport will debut an exciting new driver and co-driver pairing at the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally on 21 March, with Australian competitors Glenn Brinkman and Kaylie Newell joining forces for the first time on the renowned New Zealand gravel stages.
While the pairing is new, both Brinkman and Newell are well known within Australian rallying circles. The two regularly compete in separate teams within the Australian Rally Championship and NSW Rally Championship, bringing together a wealth of experience from the country’s premier rally series for this international outing.
Newell is one of the most accomplished co-drivers in the NSW Rally Championship, having claimed the championship title on multiple occasions across her career. Her consistency, pace notes expertise and ability to perform under pressure have made her one of the most respected navigators in the state, bringing a proven track record of success to the new partnership.
Brinkman also brings an impressive motorsport résumé to the team. Across his career he has competed in a wide range of disciplines including the Dakar Rally, the Australian Off Road Championship, and the Queensland Rally Championship, building a reputation as a versatile and experienced competitor capable of tackling some of the toughest events in the world.
The rally will serve as a valuable shakedown ahead of the legendary Otago Rally in April, followed by the iconic Silver Fern Rally in November, where the duo plan to continue their New Zealand campaign.
Brinkman and Newell will compete in the 2WD Classic category in a Datsun Bluebird that has long been part of the New Zealand rally scene, recently campaigned by Clint Clunie.
To prepare the car for these events, the team has engaged the services of former owner Karl Robinson, whose experience with the car will help ensure it is ready for the demanding New Zealand stages.
The program is supported by sponsors KickAss Products and Autosport.
For Brinkman, the rally also marks a return to competing in New Zealand. His only previous appearance across the Tasman came in 2007 at the Otago Rally with fellow Aussie Alan Stean, making this his first competitive return to the country in nearly two decades. The event will also see him return to a two-wheel-drive rally car for the first time since that outing.
“This is a really exciting opportunity,” Brinkman said. “Kaylie and I both spend a lot of time in the Australian Rally Championship, usually in different teams. In recent years we have chatted about the possibility of taking on new challenges one day and here we are. It will be great to finally team up and take on these incredible New Zealand roads together.”
The Possum Bourne Memorial Rally will provide the perfect opportunity for the new pairing to build rhythm and confidence together ahead of their assault on the Otago Rally next month.
