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Rally: Antoine L'Estage leads the last championship to win

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Khatir Soltani
Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard won it all so far this year with the Rally America championship and the North American Rally Cup title in hand.

They added another layer to the record book this week-end with a fourth victory at the Pacific Forest Rally, in Merritt, British Columbia.

The couple now leads the Canadian Rally Championship with only one event remaining to the 2010 season.

Second on the dusty road conditions, L'Estage and Richard took the lead after the first stage of the rally and never had to look back after that.

The drivers brought back their Evo X without a scratch at the end of this rally they completely dominated, winning 9 of the 13 stages and finishing 1:14 minutes ahead of their closest rivals.

Pat Richard and Alan Ockwell of Subaru Rally Team Canada suffered multiple problems throughout the rally, yet were still able to finish second overall. The two are also second place in the championship standings.

"It is good points for the championship," said Richard. "We had problems all rally but to come away with second place is pretty good. Subaru is leading the Manufacturer's Championship, which was a big goal for this weekend."

Third went to Leo Urlichich and Chrissie Beavis. After a nearly trouble free run, the last two stages of the event threw multiple challenges at the team, costing time but not positions.

L'Estage and Richard now count three victories in the five rallies disputed so far this season. It is also the fifth win of the team in its last six participation to national events both in the United States and in Canada.

More than the Canadian Rally Championship title, L'Estage and Richard will have their eyes on the triple crown of North American Rallying this additional title would provide them with.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
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