Nathalie Richard - five-time CARS champion co-driver and teammate of Antoine L’Estage in the Rockstar Energy Drink Mitsubishi Lancer - took some time out of her busy schedule to talk with CARS about her very successful rally career and why she loves rally:
You’re one of the most successful co-drivers in the history of the sport in North America, having competed with two multiple-time champions on both sides of the border. How does it feel to be at the top of the sport?
It feels great to be where I am in this sport! I love what I do and I'm privileged to be able to do it at this level. We've been to so many places and seen so many things that I would ordinarily never have the opportunity to see and do if it weren't for rallying. You don't get to our level easily or without absolute passion for rallying. We definitely put a lot of work into it and for the most part, it pays off!
Tell us about your career outside of rallying, and how you make that fit with the demands of doing both the Canadian and American rally championships.
Maniwaki, QUEBEC, Feb 3, 2013.– Patrick Richard (Squamish, BC) and Rob Fagg (Isle of Man, UK) of the Subaru Canada Rally Team Canada have won the Rally Perce-Neige Maniwaki with a clean, trouble-free drive in their Subaru WRX STi. “It was flawless for us, we had no issues whatsoever” said Richard after the rally.“But it was very slippery; it was the iciest Perce-Neige I’ve ever seen.”
Merritt, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Oct 13, 2012 – Antoine L'Estage (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) and Nathalie Richard (Haifax) of the Rockstar Energy Drink team won the 2012 Pacific Forest Rally, the fifth round of the Canadian Rally Championship. The victory establishes the pair as the 2012 Canadian Rally Champions, the fifth such title for L'Estage and Richard.