VANCOUVER, BC -- Battling the strongest field of competitors in recent North American rallying history, Rocket Rally Racing finished the Maine Forest Summer Rally 6th overall. It easily took first place in its production class, nine minutes ahead of its nearest rival, SCCA ProRally PGT points leader Mark Utecht.

The Maine Forest Summer Rally, held near Rumford, Maine, was round six of the 2001 SCCA ProRally Championship, and 121 cars started the event. Rocket Rally driver Patrick Richard and co-driver Ian McCurdy used the opportunity to debut their 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX, prepared by Subaru Canada.

"This event allowed us to show that a North American-specification, showroom-stock Subaru Impreza WRX needs very few modifications to run with some of the fastest rally cars in North America. We were pleased to be given the opportunity to demonstrate the car's strengths," said Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver. Rocket Rally Racing is part of the three-car Subaru Canada Rally Team.

"Our strategy was to take it easy on the first leg of the event, on Friday night, and then keep a steady pace on the second leg. We were practically 100% on the plan," said Ian McCurdy, Rocket Rally Navigator. The duo got caught out by Friday's evening sun shining through the thick dust on the raod and their car hit a large rock on the third stage. It cost them 30 to 40 seconds, but on Saturday they were able to keep pace with the leaders and separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

"We finished the race sandwiched between much more powerful Open class cars and just behind the top Group N entry. This has been a very satisfying victory for me and the team," said Richard.

Rocket Rally Racing's next event is the Ojibwe Forests Rally, August 17 to 18 in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Rocket Rally Racing and the Subaru Canada Rally Team are supported by OMP, DMS Shock Absorbers and Globalstar Communications.

The Maine Forest Summer Rally will be televised several times on Speedvision, beginning August 27 at 8 pm Eastern.

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