Contact: Michel Poirier-Defoy Tel: (450) 491-2480 E-mail: lpindfoy@sympatico.ca

Date:November 2, 1999

1999 Standings: Frank Sprongl, 120 points; Sylvain Vincent, 77; Tom McGeer, 40; John Paynter, 27; Yves Barbe, Jon Nichols, 22; Éric Tremblay, 17; Jeff Smith, 16; Marc Racine, Jon Kemp 15

Class Leaders: Open : Frank Sprongl Production GT : Sylvain Vincent Group 2 : J. Nichols Prod. Sport : Bruno Laverdière Prod. 1750 : Rosenshein /Krawczyk

Leading Marques: Open : Audi Production GT: Eagle Group 2 : Volkswagen Prod. Sport : Toyota Prod. 1750 : Suzuki/Subaru

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Île-aux-Coudres, Quebec--- The best-attended rally of the season has finally arrived. The Rallye Automobile Charlevoix, seventh event of the Subaru Canadian Rally Champion-ship, presented by Yokohama Tires of Canada, starts Friday evening from Île-aux-Coudres in the picturesque Charlevoix region. Close to 60 teams are expected to start, 25 of them coming from the United States; a record for a Canadian rally in this decade.

During the two days of competition, rally teams will drive on no less than 17 special stages with literally thousands of spectators on hand. In fact, the RAC is by far the rally in North America with the largest crowds, since so many returning spectators have taken part in the event's thirteen-year history.

An important starting grid
From British Columbia to the Maritimes and as many as 10 US states, the RAC will be home to one of the most talent-filled grid in 99. Four drivers remain favourites to claim victory: Frank Sprongl, already crowned Canadian champion in his Audi Quattro S2 will have to hold back the fierce onslaught of 11-time American rally champion John Buffum in a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5. Ready for a real rally rumble will be Subaru Canada's Impreza WRX of Tom McGeer along with the Lachute Subaru-sponsored and prepared WRX of Sylvain Vincent.

Subaru Country
Along with the well-known names of rally pilots, spectators will be well entertained on familiar stages: Maples, Pax, Clermont, the Cliffs, St-Irenee (many including asphalt sections) as well as three new stages on Île-aux-Coudres. Watch out for the likes of Yves Barbe, Jon Nichols, Keith Townsend, Pat Richard, Barry Latreille, Clark Paynter and Americans John Kemp, Chris Havas and Karl Scheibel. No less than 10 Subarus will be starting the RAC, an indication of the growing popularity and ability of these all-wheel drive wonders.

Despite the fact that both Sprongl and Vincent have sewn-up their respective class championships, many still need to be determined. The RAC could be the clincher for teams in classes such as Group 2, Sport and 1750, who hope to take home trophies for 1999.

International Flavour
In addition to one of the strongest showings at a Canadian rally, the RAC will be under observation by England's rally co-ordinator, Malcom Neill, as well as the National Sporting Authority of Canada. Organisers of the RAC are looking to make Canada a stop on the World Rally Championship in years to come.

The Subaru Canadian Rally Championship is presented eight times this year, between February and November. It is sanctioned by the Canadian Association of RallySport and supported by Subaru Canada and Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. Additional information is available from the CARS website at www3.sympatico.ca/rally.cars. or the RAC web site at www.rallye-charlevoix.com INFORMATION:
CARS Mister Terry Epp (905) 640 6444
Michel Poirier-Defoy (450) 491 2480
lpindfoy@sympatico.ca