From Coyote Rally Media Services Quebec driver Antoine L'Estage , co-driven by Nathalie Richard, both from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (QC), will return to the Canadian Rally Championship and the North American Rally Cup at the wheel of a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. This new partnership will see the current North American champions start the 2009 season at the Rallye Perce-Neige (Maniwaki, QC) on February 7th with the Mitsubishi, currently being built by rally legend John Buffum at his Libra Racing shop in Vermont. « This is big news for our entire team, the biggest and most exciting project I have ever taken part in since the start of my rally career » explains Antoine L'Estage. Sponsors are also responding a very good news in those times of uncertain world economy. "The new addition of Rockstar Energy Drink, who becomes co-title sponsors alongside Mitsubishi and Royal Group, increased support from Yokohama Canada and the addition of Mobil 1 Lubricants are crucial to our programme for the 2009 season », L'Estage added. Four-time North American champion co-driver Nathalie Richard will return to Antoine's side, as will John Buffum and the Coyote Rallye team of mechanics to prepare and maintain the rally car. « Since the car is entirely brand new, I will have very little time to get to know it as much as I would like to prior to the first stage at the Rallye Perce-Neige in only a few weeks but I am confident that I will bring a Mitsubishi to the top step of the podium before too long » adds the Quebec driver. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is the latest version of the Lancer Evo line, cars that are particularly efficient for rally competition around the world.For Antoine, two-time Canadian and North American champion, the goals with the new car are set very high.
Rally: Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard to drive a Mitsubishi in 2009