TILLAMOOK, OREGON -- Rocket Rally Racing took first place in Production GT at this weekend's Oregon Trail ProRally. The team finished 6th overall out of 52 cars. The event - a series of 12 stages on temporarily closed forest roads - was a first for the British Columbia team of Pat Richard and Ian McCurdy. "Since we hadn't raced together nationally in the States before, we weren't sure what to expect," says Richard, Rocket Rally Driver/Owner. "What a great start to the 2000 season!"

The event was set in the majestic mountains surrounding Tillamook, Oregon. Most of the stages of the event were on very steep, narrow mountain logging roads with many switchbacks, which quickly climbed a couple of thousand feet in altitude. Rocket Rally Racing was the only Production GT car to successfully negotiate the twisty trails; its class competitors could not complete the event. The team's 6th place overall finish showed it had the speed to run at the top of the field against much higher-powered cars.

"Ian did a super job and scored maximum class points in his first SCCA event," says Richard. Navigating the mountain trails came naturally to McCurdy, Rocket Rally navigator, since he lives in the ski resort of Whistler. "It was like snowboarding: we just put our faith in the hill and gave it all we had." The event was also a lot like skateboarding at times for the team. At stage eight, while crossing a bridge, Richard put the back wheels of the car over a concrete bridge railing and did a 50-50 grind, to the great enjoyment of all spectators.

Rocket Rally Racing is supported by Specialty Subaru of North Vancouver, Drummond Motor Sport and Dragon Eyewear.

Oregon Trail ProRally was the second of nine events in the 2000 SCCA ProRally Championship. The next event is Rim of the World ProRally, May 5 and 6 in Palmdale, California.

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
1409 Pendrell Street
Vancouver, BC V6G1S3
Phone 604-803-6095
Fax 604-803-6095