Atlanta, Michigan -- The Quebecker Antoine L’Estage, co-driven by Nathalie Richard, both of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Québec), was victorious this past weekend at the Sno*Drift Rally, the first of nine rounds in the American rally series. The two-time Canadian and defending North American Rally Champion now has one win in as many trips to the northern Michigan winter rally.

As experienced competitors on snow and ice, the L’Estage/Richard duo was considered the favourite by many rally enthusiasts and maintained a "top 3" ranking throughout the event. Everything was eventually decided on the final special stages of the weekend: "We were in second position when the rally leader (Travis Pastrana) was hit with a bit of bad luck on the second to last stage," explains Antoine L’Estage. "We, too, have lost rallies near the end; it’s frustrating! Having said that, everything went pretty well for us in Michigan. The conditions were very challenging but our Royal Group Hyundai Tiburon was perfectly prepared, our Yokohama tires helped us through all the tricky road sections, and Nathalie once again did an infallible job. All in all, it was a great team effort and at the end of the day, lady luck was on our side," added the Quebec driver. This victory gives the L’Estage-Richard duo the lead in the hotly contested Rally America National Championship.

L’Estage’s Coyote Rallye Team is proudly supported by Royal Group and Yokohama Canada on their quests for victory in the United States. In addition to the entire Canadian Rally Championship, they will also participate in a select few rounds of the Rally America series.

The 2008 season of the Canadian Rally Championship will begin in just over a week with the Rallye Perce-Neige (Maniwaki, Québec), on February 9th. The Rally America series is comprised of nine rounds, spread across the United States, starting in January and ending in October. In addition, competitors in the championship are vying for invitations into the prestigious X Games 14 to be held in August in Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit Coyote Rallye, a source for rally and the Coyote Rallye Team.

Information: Martine Nadeau 514-843-4160, ext 221 / cell 514-238-0568