Subaru Team Takes 2008 Canadian Driver's and Manufacturer's Championships
by Huge MarginMISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - Patrick Richard and co-driver Alan
Ockwell overcame treacherous road conditions and high attrition to dominate
the Rally of the Tall Pines, held in Bancroft, Ontario. The final round of the
2008 Canadian Rally Championship saw the Subaru Rally Team Canada duo take
their fourth win of the year.
The result means that Richard wins the Canadian Driver's Championship
with a total of 116 points, 52 points ahead of second-place finisher Antoine
L'Estage. It also gave Subaru a commanding win in the Manufacturer's
Championship with a total of 107 points, 35 ahead of second place Mitsubishi.
"Winning Tall Pines and beating the likes of top competitors like Ken
Block and Antoine L'Estage is a fantastic way to cap off an outstanding season
for the team," said Richard. "The car ran perfectly today, and despite the
difficult conditions we set the fastest times with no mechanical problems
whatsoever!"
In fact, it was a great event all-around for Subaru; seven of the top ten
finishers at Tall Pines were in Subaru vehicles, and Subaru drivers claimed
first, third and fourth places in the overall championship. The husband and
wife team of Ted and Lise Mendham finished 11th overall and first in the P4
class, winning the Canadian Championship for Subaru in that class.
"These rally results are the ultimate proof that Subaru vehicles have an
exceptional balance of power and safety that provides driving confidence under
all conditions," said Katsuhiro Yokoyama, president and CEO of Subaru Canada,
Inc. "Congratulations to Pat, Alan, and all the Subaru drivers for an
outstanding season and for proving beyond a doubt that Subaru makes it
possible to have fun and stay in control at all times."
The Canadian Rally Championship is comprised of six events held
nationwide in a season that extends from February to November. The series is
presented by Subaru Canada, supported by Yokohama Tire Canada and features
contingency programs from Subaru Canada and Mitsubishi Canada. The Canadian
Association of Rallysport (CARS) is the official sanctioning body for rallying
in Canada.
Events in the 2008 Canadian Association of Rallysport National
Championship Series presented by Subaru will be showcased weekly in a separate
half hour program that finishes up in January with a special 2008 Year in
Review show. Times below are Eastern Standard Time - check local listings:Rocky Mountain Rally, Calgary - Saturday, November 29 - 4:30 p.m.
Baie des Chaleurs, Quebec - Sunday, November 30 - 2:30 p.m.
Rallye Defi, Ste. Agathe, Quebec - Sunday, December 7 - 3:30 p.m.
Pacific Forest Rally, Merrit, B.C. - Sunday, December 14 - 2:30 p.m.
Rally of the Tall Pines, Ontario - Sunday, December 28 - 2:30 p.m.
2008 Year In Review - 2009 - Sunday, January 4, 2009 - 2:30 p.m.
For further information: Elaine Griffin, (905) 568-4959
