GOLDEN VALLEY, MN -- The popular Rallye Defi Sainte-Agathe/Duhamel is joining Rally America's Eastern Regional Championship in 2006.

The event, a Canadian National and Regional competition taking place Sept. 7-9 this year, draws entries from across the country and the eastern states. It typically features just over 100 miles of top-speed stages northwest of Montreal.

As a coefficient 3 Regional Rally, Defi will give eastern teams another opportunity to compete close to home, as well as a chance to experience Quebec’s motorsports-mad culture.

The move is a good sign of co-operation between two sanctioning bodies, says Rally America spokesman J.B. Niday.

“I see inclusion of Defi in the Rally America Eastern Regional Championship as a natural fit,” says Niday. “Many U.S. based teams enter the event already, and this will only increase U.S. involvement in Canadian Association of RallySport events.”

The 2005 race saw New Hampshire driver Tim Penasack finish in third place overall. Maine’s John Cassidy has made repeat appearances there, as has Buffalo driver Randy Zimmer.

“CARS has been absolutely supportive of Rally America right from the start! It is one of my goals to see increased support of the North American Rally Championship in the coming years,” says Niday.

Rally America, a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based corporation, holds the sanctioning and marketing rights to the Rally America Championship. The company was founded in 2002 by rally driver and CPD Rally Team owner Doug Havir and last year assumed the commercial and sanctioning rights of the defunct SCCA ProRally Championship.