Co-driver Glenn Macneall first teamed up with young Australian charger Chris Atkinson for the 2004 Rally Australia. The duo were the revelation of the event. Driving a Group N Subaru Impreza the pair outpaced several more established names to win the class and finish fifth overall. The 33 year-old from Albany, Western Australia, went on to co-drive Chris on his World Championship debut with the Subaru World Rally Team in 2005 and proved to be a superb partner, as the duo achieved a podium in Japan, fourth in Australia, seventh in New Zealand and 15 stage wins.
Success led to the announcement that Chris and Glenn would be staying with the team as part of a long-term plan to maximise their potential as future World Champions. Relaxing at home in New Zealand, Glenn took some time out to reflect on 2005 and continuing with the Subaru World Rally Team in 2006. "This year was always going to be a learning experience," commented Glenn. "But there were some real high points, such as making our competitive debut on snow and then getting our first stage win in New Zealand in April. We then built on everything rally by rally and finally got that podium in Japan. Setting more fastest stage times than anyone else on our home rally in Australia was also awesome, definitely something to be proud of."
|
Having previously worked with Subaru in 2001 when he partnered Toshi Arai, Glenn was delighted to stay with the team he knows intimately. "It's good to stay with Subaru for another year, as you get to know the people and how to get the most out of the outfit," explained Glenn. "There have been some small changes since I was last here - some faces have gone and some new people have arrived, but the operation of the team is essentially the same. It's a small team, but it's a very, very good one."
Glenn has co-driven for a number of drivers, amongst them Production Car World Champions Toshi Arai and Dean Herridge. How does Chris, at only 25, compare to these established names? "Chris is a very quick learner and easy to work with. If you need to show him something, you only need to show him once and then he gets it. He just picks things up extremely fast.
In terms of performance on a rally, he's quick in the fast, flowing parts of the stage - always the sign of a talented driver - and this is something that will only get better the more experience he gets."
It was apparent that Chris and Glenn had immediately struck up a good relationship and even went on to share the same flat when they stayed in England: "It was fun working with Chris. He's very easy to get on with. We've been working together for a year now since the 2004 Rally Australia, which isn't actually that long when you compare how long Petter and Phil have been a team, but we gelled straight away and formed a pretty good partnership. Will we live together again? We spend enough time together anyway!"
And the goals for 2006? "It's got to be consolidating the experience we got this year. 2005 was all about learning - for sure we made some mistakes, but if you look at the form, we've never made the same mistake twice. Next year we'll be looking for more podiums. We may not yet be in a position to challenge for wins at each event, but we'll always be there ready to take advantage…!"
And who would bet against them?
|
2006
2005
