Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard made the most of their brand-new Mitsubishi Evo X to win Rallye Perce-Neige, in Maniwaki, Qc – the 2012 Canadian Rally Championship (CRC) opening round.
The win marked Richard’s 100th career start.
“We led from the first stage, and spun and lost time on the fourth stage, and then got back on track,” said L'Estage in the CRC press release.
“We didn't make any other mistakes for the rest of the day and it's a great way to start the season. I don't know [why we're so successful]. Things are clicking and it works.”
Crazy Leo Urlichich marked his first rally alongside new co-driver Carl Williamson with a come-back drive to finish second. The pair overcame a spin and some timing penalties to earn their first podium in their first rally together.
“It is amazing. We tried hard,” admitted Urlichich.
“Everyone made mistakes, the car had a few problems, I definitely made mistakes, Carl unfortunately made a mistake, but we all fought back for a second place on the podium.”
Subaru Canada's Pat Richard and Alan Ockwell had to retire halfway in the event because of mechanical issues. Their problems opened up the door to Sylvain and Simon Vincent, who took third place in their 1994 Subaru Impreza.
In Production, Warren Haywood and John Hall put in a clinic aboard their 2002 Subaru WRX. Peter Kocandrle and Angela Cosner also won their class, in their two-wheel drive 1997 Volkswagen Golf.
Final Results – Rallye Perce-Neige (CRC)
1. Antoine L'Estage – Nathalie Richard – two hours, 45 minutes, 18.8 seconds
2. Leo Urlichich – Carl Williamson – 2:53:56.0
3. Sylvain Vincent – Simon Vincent – 2:59:11.5
4. Mathieu Dubé – Eric Losier – 3:01:01.2
5. Simon Losier – Brian Maxwell – 3:02:43.7
6. Joel Levac – Stéphanie Lewis – 3:02:58.8
7. Steeve Hobbs – Jean-Mathieu Tremblay – 3:03:38.9
8. Bruno Carré – Yvan Joyal – 3:04:17.2
9. Warren Haywood – John Hall – 3:15:07.9
10. Maxime Rochefort-Laframboise – Jerôme Milette – 3:17:47.0
The win marked Richard’s 100th career start.
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| 'Eat my snow' says L'Estage (Photo: Andrew Harvey Photography/CRC) |
“We led from the first stage, and spun and lost time on the fourth stage, and then got back on track,” said L'Estage in the CRC press release.
“We didn't make any other mistakes for the rest of the day and it's a great way to start the season. I don't know [why we're so successful]. Things are clicking and it works.”
 |
| Perce-Neige's podium ceremony (Photo: Andrew Harvey Photography/CRC) |
Crazy Leo Urlichich marked his first rally alongside new co-driver Carl Williamson with a come-back drive to finish second. The pair overcame a spin and some timing penalties to earn their first podium in their first rally together.
“It is amazing. We tried hard,” admitted Urlichich.
“Everyone made mistakes, the car had a few problems, I definitely made mistakes, Carl unfortunately made a mistake, but we all fought back for a second place on the podium.”
 |
| Orange car on white snow was hard to miss (Photo: Andrew Harvey Photography/CRC) |
Subaru Canada's Pat Richard and Alan Ockwell had to retire halfway in the event because of mechanical issues. Their problems opened up the door to Sylvain and Simon Vincent, who took third place in their 1994 Subaru Impreza.
In Production, Warren Haywood and John Hall put in a clinic aboard their 2002 Subaru WRX. Peter Kocandrle and Angela Cosner also won their class, in their two-wheel drive 1997 Volkswagen Golf.
Final Results – Rallye Perce-Neige (CRC)
1. Antoine L'Estage – Nathalie Richard – two hours, 45 minutes, 18.8 seconds
2. Leo Urlichich – Carl Williamson – 2:53:56.0
3. Sylvain Vincent – Simon Vincent – 2:59:11.5
4. Mathieu Dubé – Eric Losier – 3:01:01.2
5. Simon Losier – Brian Maxwell – 3:02:43.7
6. Joel Levac – Stéphanie Lewis – 3:02:58.8
7. Steeve Hobbs – Jean-Mathieu Tremblay – 3:03:38.9
8. Bruno Carré – Yvan Joyal – 3:04:17.2
9. Warren Haywood – John Hall – 3:15:07.9
10. Maxime Rochefort-Laframboise – Jerôme Milette – 3:17:47.0