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Rally: Antoine L'Estage to drive a World Rally Car (+video)

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Khatir Soltani
From Coyote Rallye

Reigning North American and Canadian Rally Champions, driver Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard will contest the remaining events of the Rally America series at the wheel of a genuine Mitsubishi Lancer World Rally Car.

After having contested the first two rounds of the 2013 season, including a victory at Michigan's SnoDrift Rally in their Mitsubishi Evo X, will finish off the remaining five Rally America rounds with the WRC Lancer.

This will mark the first time a Canadian competes in a modern day World Rally Car that has already contested the World Rally Championship and it is also the first time the British MML Sports team will bring their WRC05 car to compete in North America.

L'Estage tested the car last November in the Czech Republic.



"This is big news! To take part in rallies at the wheel of a car that has been in the World Rally Championship is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to more great battles with Ken Block and David Higgins," said L'Estage in the team's press release.

"Our hard work has come to fruition in the form of an agreement with MML Sports of the UK, with whom we already tested the car. All of our sponsors play a big role in this as well and we are thrilled to have our partners on board".

Antoine L'Estagne Rally America

The first event that the L'Estage/Richard duo will take part in with the WRC Mitsubishi Lancer will be on the first weekend of May for the Oregon Trail Rally, round 3 of the Rally America series. A major test session will precede the rally, enabling Antoine to familiarize himself with the car.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada