Subaru Rally Team Canada Triumphant at Rallye Perce-Neige

Subaru Canada Inc.

Subaru Canada Inc.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) is proud to announce that Subaru Rally Team Canada (SRTC) victoriously completed the first round of the 2015 Canadian Rally Championship (CRC), Rallye Perce-Neige, in Maniwaki, QC. Seven-time CRC driver champion, Antoine L'Estage, and three-time CRC co-driver champion, Alan Ockwell, quickly felt out the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI and continuously got quicker throughout the event. The first outing of the 2015 CRC for SRTC was highlighted with fantastic results, capturing 14 stage wins, out of a possible 16, and being welcomed on the podium with two other Subaru siblings. A total of eight Subarus finished in the top 10 at the 50^th Anniversary event of the Rallye Perce-Neige.

With its own challenges, Rallye Perce-Neige had rough conditions with extreme cold and snow-covered roads, while also playing host to a reunion of sorts with a grouping of seasoned rally veterans all competing for the title. The snow-covered roadways tested new vehicles and teams throughout the entire day, with some facing more hardships than others. L'Estage and Ockwell quickly found their groove being in a new vehicle and did not miss a beat.

"We had a great first event for myself with Subaru Rally Team Canada and the car ran flawlessly," said L'Estage. "I was getting more and more comfortable with the car as the day progressed and when we went into the long stages in the forest I was able to set some good stage times. The car performed great and we had a fantastic final result - this is the best way to start the season."

"The car feels fantastic and Antoine and I are getting settled in the new vehicle and increasing our comfort level," said Ockwell. "It is absolutely amazing to be back and running with Subaru Rally Team Canada - I was so, so happy when I got the call a couple of weeks ago and found out."

The 2015 Subaru WRX STI that SRTC competed with was a completely new vehicle painstakingly prepared and built from the ground up for weeks on-end by Rocket Rally Racing for the 2015 season. SRTC's previous vehicle was damaged severely after an unfortunate ending to the 2014 CRC season at Rally of the Tall Pines, just two months ago. There was little-to-no room for error in the development and construction of the 2015 Subaru WRX STI rally car, as there was such a tight deadline to have the vehicle prepared.

About Subaru Canada, Inc.
Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 90 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca or follow @Subaru_Canada on Twitter.

SOURCE Subaru Canada Inc.

Image with caption: "Subaru Rally Team Canada wins the first round of the 2015 Canadian Rally Championship. (Photo courtesy of Phil Ericksen / Radikal Videos.) (CNW Group/Subaru Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150209_C6979_PHOTO_EN_11939.jpg

Image with caption: "Subaru Rally Team Canada (centre) celebrate their victory at the 2015 Rallye Perce-Neige podium finish. (Photo courtesy of Phil Ericksen / Radikal Videos.) (CNW Group/Subaru Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150209_C6979_PHOTO_EN_11940.jpg

Joe Felstein, [phone], [email protected]; Daniel Ponzini, [phone], [email protected]; Amyot Bachand, Media Relations, Quebec Region, [phone], [email protected]