Team Narva takes second place in gruelling 2017 Outback Challenge

The Team Narva GQ Patrol, piloted by Shayne Barkley and navigator, wife Alison, has taken position two in the 2017 Outback Challenge, following a week of tough competition in Broken Hill and surrounding region.

The second placing delivered Shayne his highest ever standing at the challenge after seven starts, four as a navigator and this his third event as a driver.

Along the way to the podium, the team managed consistently strong stage results that included one stage win, four second placings and a third.

Shayne said that vehicle reliability was the most important factor in performing well in the Outback Challenge. 

“It’s crucial to have a vehicle that is 100 per cent reliable, or as close to 100 per cent as possible,” he said. “The conditions are harsh and the trucks have to endure a real hiding over the course of the event. We had a couple of minor electrical issues but we were able to sort them out and not lose a lot of time.”

As well as wearing the familiar blue and white Narva livery, the Barkleys’ competition rig ran an extensive array of Narva lighting, including a set of new Ultima 215 L.E.D lamps, which Shayne said performed faultlessly.

“I was a bit sceptical about running L.E.D spot lamps as I’d used another brand previously and to be honest their performance was quite ordinary,” he said. “The Ultima 215s were fantastic though, I couldn’t believe how bright they were, they’re easily the best lamps I’ve used. They’re also tough, we hit them on tree branches at 60 to 70 kilometres per hour and aside from needing realignment they were fine”.

“It was a similar situation with our Narva roof-mounted L.E.D work lamps, we managed to dent and bend the roof while there was no damage to the lights themselves or the mounting system.”

Shayne said this year’s Outback Challenge was the best yet and extremely well organised.

“From a competitor’s perspective it was excellent, well-run and everything was just ‘spot-on’ so we’ll be back next year.”

Event organiser, Steve Tjepkema, was also extremely pleased with the outcome after last year’s race was cancelled due to extensive flooding in the area.

“Feedback from competitors, spectators and sponsors has been overwhelmingly positive,” Steve said. “I think the formula for organising and staging the event is right. We’ve achieved a professional standard now with advanced data recording and vehicle tracking, plus a good combination of stages for all involved.

“The system is down-pat and we can further build on this successful event to provide an even better experience next year for all involved. Another goal for the 2018 Outback Challenge is to further increase awareness of the event through additional engagement through more mainstream media.”

Full event standings from the 2017 Outback Challenge can be seen at: http://outbackchallenge.com.au/results/

About Narva

Narva is Australian owned and is a leader in the development, manufacture and supply of automotive lighting and electrical components for the automotive, marine and transport industries. Further information on the extensive Narva programme together with high resolution images for download can be found at www.autonews.net.au

Additional details can be found by visiting the Narva website at www.narva.com.au.

For further information:

Contact Sales
Brown & Watson International Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9730 6000
National Toll Free: 1800 113 443

Graeme McLean
Graeme McLean & Associates Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9583 6694
Mobile: 0438 806 090
Email: graeme@mcleanassoc.com.au