| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 13, 2000 | For more information, contact: Patrick Richard Rocket Rally Racing 1409 Pendrell Street Vancouver, BC V6G1S3 E-mail: patr@axion.net |
MANIWAKI, QC -- B.C.-based Rocket Rally Racing came first in its Production GT class and placed 6th overall out of 46 competitors at Rallye Perce-Neige this weekend. Rallye Perce-Neige, held February 12 in Maniwaki, QC, was the second of eight events in the Subaru Canadian Rally Championship.
This was the team's first national win. "What a ride!" said Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver. "The roads were super icy and things got a bit hairy at times. We got stuck in the snow pretty badly once, but were able to dig ourselves out and keep going. After that, we just went as fast as we could." Richard added that the specialist Yokohama snow tires the team had purchased for this event performed phenomenally.
"The competition was very, very tough. I'm really happy with how we did, because instead of giving up, we sped up. And that paid off in the end," said Ian McCurdy, Rocket Rally Navigator.
The team thanked many people for their efforts towards its first national win. "We thank our supporters, Specialty Subaru of North Vancouver and Dragon Eyewear. As well, Jon Nichols, of Jon Nichols Motorsport, did an excellent job preparing the Subaru for us before the rally. Jean-Francois Bertrand did a great job as service crew. My sister Nathalie, as always, made sure everything went smoothly," said Richard.
The team's win helped Subaru sweep the rally standings. Subarus won first place overall, in Open class, in Production GT class and in Production 1750 class.
Rocket Rally Racing's next rally event is the Oregon Trail ProRally in Tillamook, Oegon on April 14 and 15. It will mark the team's first event of the year in the Sports Car Club of America's ProRally Championship.
NOTE: Rallye Perce-Neige will be shown March 11 on TSN, at 4 p.m. EST. Check the TSN website (www.tsn.ca) for times in other parts of the country.
For media information contact:
(East Coast)
Nathalie Richard, Rocket Rally Team Manager
media@rocketrally.com
Phone 416-922-9222
(West Coast)
Patrick Richard, Rocket Rally Driver
info@rocketrally.com
Phone 604-803-6095
Fax 604-687-0029