4 rule changes all effective immediately
Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard Win Rallye Perce Neige
to Open 2012 Canadian Rally Championship
MANIWAKI, QUEBEC, February 5, 2012 - Antoine L'Estage (St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC) and Nathalie Richard (Halifax) opened their 2012 season by winning the Rallye Perce-Neige in Maniwaki, QC, the first event in the Canadian Rally Championship, Presented by Subaru and supported by Yokohama. Perce-Neige is just the second event for L'Estage in his new car, and already, he's comfortable, setting the pace from the first stage.
Smart tire choice and road position allowed L'Estage and Richard to open up a small lead over rivals Pat Richard (Squamish, BC) and Alan Ockwell (Toronto) of Subaru Rally Team Canada. Richard and Ockwell landed heavily on a jump on the second stage, damaging the car and losing boost, and then losing brakes. Despite this, the pair was only 27 seconds back from the lead at the first service. They would only run a few more stages before parking their car with driveline problems.