Merritt, British Columbia — Quebec driver Antoine L’Estage (of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and co-driver Nathalie Richard (of Halifax, Nova Scotia) won this weekend’s Pacific Forest Rally, the penultimate round of the 2012 Canadian Rally Championship. This victory, along with the team’s three previous wins and one second place, gives the Rockstar Energy Drink team enough points to clinch their fifth Canadian national title.

The Pacific Forest Rally, held amidst typical autumn weather conditions, was once again favourable for Antoine L’Estage, Nathalie Richard, and the entire Rockstar Energy Drink Team as they took the lead from the very first stage on Friday: « It’s an event that has always been good to me. In nine consecutive PFR starts, I’ve finished on the podium every single year and this was my and Nathalie’s fifth victory here » comments Antoine L'Estage. The multi-time champion from Quebec adds: « We didn’t need to win this weekend but we’re thrilled! I have to give big thanks to John, Paul, and Mathieu for giving me such a great car. I’m really proud of our win and especially proud of another national title ».

The duo dominated the event, winning 15 of the 16 competitive stages, and amassing a lead of over nine minutes ahead of the second place finishers. With this victory, L’Estage and Richard earn enough points to single-handedly win the Canadian 2012 Manufacturer’s championship for Mitsubishi.

Co-driver Nathalie Richard adds: « a fifth career Canadian title is really something special for us, capping off another exceptional season for the entire Rockstar Energy Drink Team. Winning the manufacturer’s title for Mitsubishi once again is the icing on the cake! ».

After also clinching the North American Rally Championship a few weeks ago, Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard add yet another title to their impressive resume. Antoine L’Estage holds five North American championship titles (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012), five Canadian titles (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012), one American title (2010), and thirty-seven overall victories in Canada and the US. Nathalie Richard holds eight overall national championship titles (2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012 in Canada and 2004, 2005, 2010 in the US), as well as forty-three overall rally wins on both sides of the border. She also holds a record eight North American Co-Driving Championship titles (2004 - 2012, excluding 2006).

Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard participate in the 2012 Rally America and Canadian Rally Championships with the support of Rockstar Energy Drink, Formica Group, Fenetres Concerto, Mitsubishi Canada, Yokohama Tires, Drenth Motorsport Gearboxes, Énergie Cardio, VP Racing Fuels, Exe-Tc Suspensions, Hawk Performance Brake Pads, Driver's Edge Autosport, and Libra Racing.

For more information on the team or on rallying in general, visit antoinelestage.com.

Canadian Rally Championship 2012 Calendar
Date	Event	Location
February 4-5	RALLYE PERCE-NEIGE	Maniwaki, Québec	1st
May 25-26	ROCKY MOUNTAIN RALLY	Calgary, Alberta	1st
June 29-30	RALLYE BAIE-DES-CHALEURS	New Richmond, Québec	1st
September 6-8	RALLYE DÉFI	Ste-Agathe, Québec	2nd
October 12-13	PACIFIC FOREST RALLY	Merritt, British Columbia	1st
November 23-24	RALLY OF THE TALL PINES	Bancroft, Ontario

Rally America Series 2012 Calendar
Date	Event	Location
January 27-28	SNO*DRIFT RALLY	Atlanta, Michigan	2nd
February 24-25	100 ACRE WOOD	Salem, Missouri	DNF
May 4-6	OREGON TRAIL	Portland, Oregon	DNF
June 1-2	S.T.P.R.	Wellsboro, Pennsylvania	1st
July 13-14	NEW ENGLAND FOREST RALLY	Bethel, Maine	1st
September 22-23	OLYMPUS RALLY	Olympia, Washington	3rd