CALGARY, AB-- Peter Thomson claimed his second overall victory in the Canadian Rally Championship and the team of Suzuki Swift + hatchbacks claimed a second 1-2 finish in class as cars from the Four Star Motorsports stable claimed the lion's share of the spoils at the Rocky Mountain Rally here this weekend.

Thomson, of Toronto, with co-driver Rod Hendricksen of New Jersey, wheeled their Subaru Impreza WRX to the overall and Group N victory after 14 tough stages. They bested Americans John Cassidy and Dave Getchell, also in a Subaru. It was the second consecutive win for Thomson and Hendricksen and gives them an early lead in the national title chase.

It was also the second 1-2 finish for the agile Suzukis, but this time the results were reversed. Six-time national champion Frank Sprongl and co-driver Daniel Sprongl claimed the P2 class for production cars and seventh place overall, edging team mates Bill Bacon and Peter Watt in a similar car, by 45 seconds. In the first event of the season, American Bacon and Peterborough, Ontario co-driver Watt won the class, leaving the two Suzuki teams tied for class honours going into the third event of the season. Both cars are prepared by Four Star Motorsports.

It was the first adventure with the Suzuki on gravel for the Sprongls, whose only previous drive in the car was over the snowy roads of the Rallye Perce Neige, first round of the championship. After a slow start, the Georgetown, Ontario-based pair quickly adapted to their new ride and finished ahead of some more powerful all-wheel drive cars.

"That was fun!" enthused Frank at the end of the two-day event. "Bill (Bacon) kept us honest and the more we learn about the car, the faster we get. The car was trouble-free the whole event. This is a great experience."

Four Star Motorsports, of Georgetown, Ontario, is Canada's leading rally preparation shop. The company builds and maintains some of the most successful cars in national, international and regional competition. With design, fabrication, dynamometer testing and engine management facilities, it serves individual and corporate customers in Canada and provides specialty parts to street and competition customers around the world.