Subaru Canada Elevates 2014 CRC Participation

• Subaru Canada inks three-year partnership with Patrick Richard and Rocket Rally Racing as official Subaru Rally Team Canada.
• Rocket Rally Racing will custom build two all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI.
• Highly decorated sibling team, Patrick and Nathalie Richard, will compete with hopes of admirable podium finish.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI) announced today that they have established a three year agreement with Patrick Richard and Rocket Rally Racing to continue their longtime Canadian Rally Championship (CRC) participation. The new partnership will extend over three years and solidifies Patrick Richard and Rocket Rally Racing as the official Subaru Rally Team Canada. Rocket Rally Racing will custom build two all-new 2015 WRX STI for use at the six annual events, as well as other special events and public display.

"It is an honour to solidify having four time Canadian rally champion Patrick Richard at the helm of our Subaru Rally Team Canada," said Ted Lalka, Vice President of Product Planning and Marketing, Subaru Canada, Inc. "Mr. Richard brings a wealth of knowledge in both building sound rally vehicles and being behind the wheel of them, giving us confidence at each and every event we participate in."

As Subaru Rally Team Canada competes for their tenth Canadian Rally Championship, Patrick Richard is competing for his fifth Canadian Rally Championship, while his co-driver and sister, Nathalie Richard, is competing for her sixth Canadian Rally Championship and ninth Canadian Ladies' Championship. Nathalie Richard is the most decorated co-driver in North American history, but the bond she shares with Patrick is rooted much deeper, giving them a level of communication while competing that other rally teams can envy.

"I'm thrilled to be able to renew the relationship with Subaru Canada, as I've been working closely with them over the last 13 years and think it's a fantastic partnership for the sport of rallying within Canada," said Richard. "The Rocket Rally team is going to be working hard over the next few months to hopefully have the new 2015 WRX STI fully prepared for Rallye Baie Des Chaleurs and I'm truly excited to get behind the wheel."   

The next Canadian Rally Championship event, Rallye Baie Des Chaleurs, takes place in New Richmond, QC, between June 28 – 29. Subaru Rally Team Canada placed second at Rallye Perce-Neige, the first event of six through the championship, which was held in February. The team is excited for the five remaining upcoming events and can hardly wait to try the all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI on the grueling stages.

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. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca or follow @Subaru_Canada on Twitter.

About the Canadian Rally Championship:

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 a contingency program from Subaru Canada. The Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS) is the official sanctioning body for rallying in Canada. A new 2014 season teaser video has recently been launched.

SOURCE: Subaru Canada Inc.

For further information: Joe Felstein, [phone], [e-mail]; Daniel Ponzini, [phone], [e-mail]; Amyot Bachand, Media Relations, Quebec Region, [phone], [e-mail]