Rallye Baie des Chaleurs: Second place finish for Subaru Rally Team Canada

Eight Subaru vehicles finish in the top ten.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - It was an up-and-down event for Subaru Rally Team Canada as driver Pat Richard and co-driver Alan Ockwell persevered through several issues to claim second place during the third event of the Canadian Rally Championship season.

Held June 28-30 in New Richmond, Quebec, the Rallye Baie des Chaleurs commenced with heavy downpour and thundershowers. Richard and Ockwell were forced to slow down as they experienced a windshield fogging problem during the second stage, causing the pair to run five of the first six stages with almost zero visibility during the inclement weather conditions. Torrential rain, combined with one hundred percent humidity, hampered the team's efforts to lead the event on day one.

Day two offered optimistic beginnings as Richard and Ockwell tried to make headway. After quickly recovering from losing their brakes on a jump and repairing the issue, the duo persevered to maintain their second-place standing for the remainder of the day.

"We're happy to come in second, considering what happened," said Richard. "Hopefully we have good points for the Championship and we'll come back for the Rallye Defi in Ste-Agathe ready to try and take a win."

Here are the top-ten finishers for the event:

1. Antoine L'Estage -- Nathalie Richard -- one hour, 28 minutes, 31.5 seconds MITSUBISHI
2. Pat Richard -- Alan Ockwell -- 1:31:45.2  SUBARU
3. Leo Urlichich -- Carl Williamson -- 1:37:26.2  SUBARU
4. Craig Henderson -- Lyne Murphy -- 1:37:38.9  SUBARU
5. Steeve Hobbs -- Jean-Mathieu Tremblay -- 1:40:01.9  SUBARU
6. Andre Leblanc -- Rene Leblanc -- 1:40:58.2 SUBARU
7. Simon Losier -- Brian Maxwell -- 1:41:23.8 MITSUBISHI
8. Maxime Labrie -- Robert Labrie -- 1:42:53.4  SUBARU
9. Alexandre Beland -- Yvan Joyal -- 1:43:03.3  SUBARU
10. Michel Bois -- Marie-Philip Simard -- 1:43:50.2  SUBARU

The 2012 season continues with the Rallye Defi, held September 6-8 in Ste-Agathe, Quebec.

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 over 85 authorized dealers across Canada.

Image with caption: "Subaru Rally Team Canada claims second at Rallye Baie des Chaleurs. www.worldrallysport.com (CNW Group/Subaru Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120703_C5895_PHOTO_EN_15896.jpg

Image with caption: "Subaru Rally Team Canada claims second at Rallye Baie des Chaleurs. www.worldrallysport.com (CNW Group/Subaru Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120703_C5895_PHOTO_EN_15898.jpg

Image with caption: "Subaru Rally Team Canada claims second at Rallye Baie des Chaleurs. www.worldrallysport.com (CNW Group/Subaru Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120703_C5895_PHOTO_EN_15900.jpg

Joe Felstein or Julie Lychak                
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Amyot Bachand
Media Relations, Quebec Region
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