I have been competing at both National and Divisonal rallies since 1992. My greatest achievement was winning National Group 2 at Sandhills. I tried to win the NEDIV Championship, but just got beaten out on the last rally of the season. However, I did come away with a 2nd in the Super Divisonal title.
I started rallying in England when I was 16 years old as a co-driver for my brother in a Mini Cooper "S". We did a few events together, but school and rugby took precedence. I came to the US in 1984 and could not find any information about pro-rally so I spent three years doing all the "performance" TSD rallies in the north east, ending with the last running of the "MG 1000", appropriately in an MG Midget.
While driving through Williamsport one day I came across a parking lot full of pro-rally cars, stopped by to talk to some of the people, and before I knew it I was working a couple of stages of Tiadaghton. Bought a prepared pro-rally car soon after and the rest is history.
After 5 years of loyal service, I sold my GTI and bought an Audi 4000 Quattro. Spent all 1998 prepping the car including a turbo conversion. The car debuted at the inaugural Black River Rally where I found out the car needed more development. Over the winter I installed coil-over suspension with Bilstein shocks to add the ground clearance I desperately needed. I installed Delrin bushings on strengthened a-arms. The engine has been "chipped" and puts out about 240hp, all power going through the standard Audi drivetrain.
Co-driver Will Sekella and I plan to do a couple of Canadian rallies this year to get more seat time and develop the car.
I graduated from university with a Masters in Computer Science and got my first job soon after. Within six months I was totally bored in England, what with the miserable weather, high taxes and lousy food - thought it was time to make a move. Came to the US with the intention of staying for 12 months and then moving on - 15 years later, I am still here. I am currently working as a business analyst/strategic planner at NCR.
Gerry can be reached at:
Phone: 732-938-2755
E-mail: gerry.brinkman@bheightsnj.ncr.com