Boston, Massachusetts -- Team Saabworks begins its 2002 racing season next weekend at the Perce Neige Maniwaki rally in Maniwaki, Québec. The Perce Neige Maniwaki is the oldest winter rally in Canada and is raced on the legendary forestry roads throughout the region.

Team Saabworks finished their inaugural season last year with many very fast stage times yet was plagued with several mechanical failures. "Last year served as a great shakedown for the car," a 1985 Saab 900, says Team co-driver Ethan Maass, "we built a great car but had to iron out a few wrinkles." The Team returns to rallying this year with a completely new suspension, a new gearbox and many strengthened and re-engineered components.

Team driver James Fox feels that the car is much more prepared for the rigors of performance rallying. "Our new suspension and solid motor mounts go miles towards making the Saab indestructible. I feel that the car is in much better running trim and will quickly reach its pace, running at the top of our class."

Saabworks intends to contest Group 5 class honors in the New England Division of the SCCA ClubRally Championship. However, with the number of events available to the Club level competitors in the Northeast dwindling, Saabworks may need to head out of Division in order to rack up necessary points. The rally next weekend will be considered a practice event for Saabworks since it will not count towards the Championship This is because the SCCA's Group 5 class is combined with the much higher power, all-wheel-drive Open class in Canada.

More information about Saabworks can be found at http://www.saabworks.com or by calling Ethan Maass at (617) 241-5022.

More information about Performance Rallying in the US can be found at www.sccaprorally.org/

Information about rallying in Canada can be found at www.carsrally.ca/