PALMDALE, CALIFORNIA -- Rocket Rally Racing came first in Production GT at this weekend's Rim of the World ProRally and finished 4th overall out of 51 cars. The win propels the team to the top of the pack for Production GT in the 2000 SCCA ProRally Championship.

Although the team was driving a Production-calibre car - an essentially stock Subaru Impreza RS with 165 horsepower - it was able to place well against cars that were twice as powerful. "It was a tough race, and we're very pleased with our results. Fourth overall is our best finish to date," said Pat Richard, Rocket Rally Driver. The team was the only Subaru in the Top 10. Its win helped score valuable points for Subaru in the SCCA ProRally Manufacturers' Championship.

"Our strategy for Rim was simple. We wanted to take it easy on Friday, in order to preserve the car, and then to turn up the heat on Saturday," explained Ben Bradley, Rocket Rally Navigator. The strategy worked. Despite stopping to aid a competitor and suffering two tire punctures - on stages 4 and 7 - the team was able to pull off a strong finish.

"With the suspension from Drummond Motor Sport, we got some really big air," said Richard. "I couldn't believe it - I was able to take all the jumps flat out." Rocket Rally Racing is supported by Drummond Motor Sport, Specialty Subaru of North Vancouver and Dragon Eyewear.

Rim, the 3rd ProRally of the SCCA ProRally Championship, was held in the Angeles National Forest, north of Los Angeles. Rim's roads are notorious for their tight, twisty character and the fact that they run along ridgetop roads. Rim of the World ProRally has been covered in large automotive publications and on television networks such as Speedvision, ESPN2, TNN, Prime Network and Sportschannel. This year's event will be televised several times on Speedvision, starting with the first airing on May 26.

The team is trading the rough trails of the Angeles National Forest for the fast, smooth hills of the Rocky Mountains. The team's next set of events starts with Bighorn Rally, May 20 in Edson, Alberta, followed the next week by Rocky Mountain Rally, May 27 in Calgary, Alberta.

For media information contact:
(East Coast)
Nathalie Richard, Rocket Rally Boss
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