I went from Imperial Rank: None (100%) to Imperial Rank: Duke (6%) in one long session, total elapsed time about ten hours - I had breaks during that of course. Wasn't well that day, so just sat in front of the computer lol. I'd not done any Imperial Rank grind prior to this, though I'd spent a few days doing normal trading in Imperial space, which is what must have got me to None (100%)
I found a location - IIRC it's the Mainani one mentioned here - and I could hardly believe how many Courier and Data missions were available. It's while doing these I discovered there's a limit of 20 missions you can take at once - yeah, there were often
more than 20 on offer. So, in my DBX with 24 cargo, I took all the data missions I could - guaranteed 20 one way and certainly 10+ the other - as well as any donations I saw, which cost me lol.
So, in
one session I got to Duke, which made the Cutter available for purchase - I then decided not to lol. In the end - after spending time earning back some money - I did the Federal Rank grind which took far
far more effort, and got myself a Corvette. I do now have a Cutter too - bought one yesterday - but it's very much a long-range hauler, mostly D-Rated, so can jump 20ly laiden (704t, with fuel scoop) and 29ly unlaiden. Didn't have the mats for a G5 FSD roll unfortunately, so just G4'd it
Scoob.