Bemidji, Minnesota -- At the Ojibwe Forests ProRally, held this past weekend in Bemidji, Minnesota, Rocket Rally Racing re-captured their Production GT lead in the American-based SCCA ProRally Championship. Finishing a mere seven seconds behind local driver and 1997/1998 National PGT Champion Steve Gingras, the team now occupies a coveted position with only three events remaining in the season. British Columbia-based Rocket Rally Racing is also currently leading its class in the Subaru Canadian Rally Championship and the North American Rally Cup.

"Our main championship rivals rolled their car on the third stage, so we drove conservatively and tried to consolidate our mid-race lead," described Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver. "But we had a tire come off the rim on the longest stage of the rally, and that allowed Gingras to pass us. The final 2 stages were very exciting as we went all-out, but in the end we were seven seconds out of first place." The team competes a normally-aspirated, production-based Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS against a strong field of more powerful, turbocharged rally cars. "Finishing right behind Gingras was very satisfying, all things considered."

This was Rocket Rally Racing's first time running the fast and twisty logging roads near Bemidji, Minnesota. With Ben Bradley, the team's regular co-driver in the SCCA ProRally Championship, out for this event, team manager Nathalie Richard decided to ride in the right seat in her first attempt at navigating. Paired up with her brother, Rocket Rally Driver Patrick Richard, the family team proved themselves competitive from the start, establishing an early lead, and posting several top-3 stage times by the end of the rally.

"As the Rocket Rally Boss, I've been to several events in both Canada and the United States this year, but until now I have never ridden inside the car - and it was a blast! I also owe a lot to other co-drivers who offered up their advice prior to and during the event. It was a huge help to me," added Nathalie Richard. "I'm very happy that I was able to help the team regain the championship lead."

The Ojibwe Forests ProRally will be televised internationally several times on Speedvision, with the first airing occurring on Monday, September 11th at 8pm EST.

Rocket Rally Racing, supported by Specialty Subaru, DMS Shock Absorbers, SPD Tuning and Dragon Eyewear, heads next to Olympia, Washington for their "home" event, the Wild West ProRally, held September 15th-17th.

The team's Photographer's Contingency Program will continue at Ojibwe. The contest, held at every event, offers cash prizes of up to $100 to photographers who submit the best action shots of the Rocket Rally Car. The program has given out over $1,000 this season. The contest is open to both amateurs and professionals alike. All submissions should be sent to photos@rocketrally.com.

Rocket Rally Racing:
Driver: Pat Richard, from Vancouver, British Columbia
Navigator: Nathalie Richard, from Toronto, Ontario
Crew Chief: Dave Clark, from Kent, Washington
Rocket Rally Car: 1998 Subaru Impreza RS, Production GT

For more information contact:
(East Coast)
Nathalie Richard, Rocket Rally Boss
media@rocketrally.com
Phone 416-922-9222

(West Coast)
Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver
info@rocketrally.com
1409 Pendrell Street
Vancouver, BC V6G1S3
Phone 604-803-6095
Fax 604-803-6095