VANCOUVER, BC -- While Vancouver commuters struggle to navigate roads dusted with a rare snowfall today, Vancouver-based Rocket Rally Racing is getting ready to face some "real" winter roads, at Rallye Perce-Neige held in Maniwaki, Quebec, February 9 to 11. Held continuously since 1964, Rallye Perce-Neige is the second of eight event in the 2001 Subaru Canadian Rally Championship presented by Yokohama. Rallye de Quebec, the first event, was held January 26 to 28.

Rallye Perce-Neige is a long event with wintry conditions and little service, requiring a patience strategy. "Usually I like to drive flat out, but we are going to take things a bit easier this time; we don't want to be going off the road on the first few stages. Or at all," says Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver. Rocket Rally Racing finished the 2000 event first in its Production GT class and sixth overall.

Unlike winter events on the World Rally Championship, North American rally competitors are not permitted to use studded ice tires; instead they must compete on the slick icy roads using regularly available winter tires. It presents a unique challenge to drivers and teams alike. "DMS, out of Australia, has provided us with some custom softer suspension settings for the ice and I think it will make a major difference in our stage times." Rocket Rally Racing is sponsored by OMP, DMS Shock Absorbers, Specialty Subaru of North Vancouver, and Dragon Eyewear.

The team's goal for the event is to accrue points towards the 2001 Subaru Canadian Rally Championship. The team is expecting tough competition from the Ontario and Quebec drivers, who usually excel in the winter events, and from the fast Alberta team of Komorowski-Karzynski.

Rallye Perce Neige will be televised internationally on three television networks, with the first airing on Saturday, March 3rd. Full results and event details are available from www.carsrally.ca.

Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver
info@rocketrally.com
www.rocketrally.com
p. (604) 803-6095