VANCOUVER, BC -- By driving conservatively and only pushing when it had to, Rocket Rally Racing finished this weekend's Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki first in its Production GT class and fifth overall. Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki is the second of eight events in the Subaru Canadian Rally Championship presented by Yokohama.

It was a smooth finish to a smooth event. Literally. The roads the team drove on this weekend had been turned to sheer, smooth ice after a harsh winter storm that closed airports and dropped temperatures to -20C. "We had to take a cautious approach, and not just drive flat out. It paid off," says Ian McCurdy, Rocket Rally Navigator, revealing the team's maturing approach, in this its second full season of racing.

The team spent the day before the event fine-tuning its DMS suspension. Rocket Rally Racing is sponsored by DMS Shock Absorbers, OMP, Specialty Subaru of North Vancouver, SPD Tuning Service and Dragon Eyewear. "While testing, it became obvious that we needed to keep a solid pace, but to stay on the road. We found a great setting for the suspension that allowed us to go quickly while staying out of the snowbanks," says Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver.

"We had a great battle with the Paynters, who were driving their Subaru Legacy Turbo at an exceptional pace. We swapped the class lead with them several times throughout the event. We pulled off a 10-second advantage on the last stage, and clinched the victory."

Rallye Perce-Neige will be televised on three national networks - The Sports Network (TSN), Riseau des sports and the Outdoor Life Network - beginning March 3 at 5 p.m. Eastern on TSN. Rallye de Quebec, held in January, can be seen on TSN beginning February 17 at 1 p.m.

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