VANCOUVER, BC -- Rocket Rally Racing finished its first full rally season in first place. The B.C.-based team grabbed the Production GT driver's and co-driver's titles in the 2000 Subaru Canadian Rally Championship by finishing first in Production GT and fifth overall at this weekend's Rally of the Tall Pines. The event, held outside Bancroft, Ontario on November 24 and 25, marked the end of the Canadian rally season.

"I clinched the championship early in the event, because Brian Scott, my main competitor, rolled his car in the first stage and couldn't finish the event," said Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver.

"But," pointed out Ian McCurdy, Rocket Rally Navigator, "we still had to win this event in order for me to win the co-driver's championship, so we couldn't really take it easy. It was a fun event, and I'm happy that I was able to capture the co-driver's title even though I missed one of the events this season."

With this win, Richard has done something no one else has: taken all three production championship victories in North America in one season. In addition to the Canadian championship, Richard captured the Production GT driver's title in the American-based SCCA ProRally Championship and in the North American Rally Cup. The team also captured the respective manufacturer's championships for Subaru.

"I'm really, really pleased, to say the least. What a season!" said Richard.

"I want to thank our sponsors. A big thanks to DMS Shock Absorbers for providing the best suspension available, thanks to Specialty Subaru of North Vancouver for parts, service and support, and thanks to SPD Tuning Service for providing Subaru performance products," said Richard. "I also want to thank Dave Clark Motorsports for providing great car preparation and for providing a turnkey rally setup, and to thank my sister Nathalie for super full-team logistics co-ordination. We couldn't have done it without you guys."

Rally of the Tall Pines will be televised several times nationally, beginning December 9 at 11:30 a.m. on The Sports Network.

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