Mitsubishi leads Manufacturers Championship with Convincing Win at Perce-Neige

The 47th running of Rallye Perce-Neige, the first round of the 2012 Canadian Rally Championship, was won by Antoine L’Estage of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec and co-driver Nathalie Richard of Halifax, in their new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Reigning Canadian and North American champion, L’Estage becomes the all-time record winner at Perce-Neige with a fifth win. L’Estage and Richard clinched best time in seven of the first ten stages and motored to an outright 8-minute victory in a demanding event that saw only 18 of the 42 cars reach the finish. The Production Sport class was won by defending champion Yavor Klostranec with Emily Dowell in the co-driver seat in their two-wheel drive Mitsubishi Lancer.

Two other teams of the Mitsubishi Brigade were among the finishers. Synchro Racing saw Simon Losier partnered with veteran co-driver Brian Maxwell in his EVO VIII clinch a rewarding fifth place. Alvin Fong and Billy Machin of Danbury, Connecticut were second among the novice crews in their new Lancer Evolution IX.

“The Mitsubishi Brigade teams dominated Rallye Perce-Neige to earn a record-winning victory. It is also exciting to see a base Lancer finish such a difficult event and win its class”, said Mr. Kenji Toh, VP Sales/Marketing & Corporate Planning for Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. “We look forward to continuing the momentum in Calgary.”

Rocky Mountain Rally preview

The next Canadian Rally Championship stop for the teams will be in Calgary, Alberta in the last week of May. The challenging Rocky Mountain event is always unpredictable, as roads can be dry and windy as well as snowy and slippery, which makes it a real challenge. Last year winners were Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard in their Lancer Evolution. More information is available at www.rockymountainrally.com.

Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard (left) started their season on a high note with an outright victory in their new Lancer Evolution X at Rallye Perce-Neige. Right is defending Production Sport champion Yavor Klostranec with co-driver Emily Dowell taking Production Sport in their stock Lancer.

Credit : Philip Ericksen

Bookmark to:

First Round of the 2012 Canadian Rally Championship

The 47th Edition of the Rallye Perce-Neige, the first round of the 2012 Canadian Rally Championship, will be held this weekend out of Maniwaki, Quebec, capital of the Upper Gatineau region. The Mitsubishi Brigade will be comprised of 7 teams among the 41 starters. Reigning Canadian and North American champions and 2011 Perce-Neige winners, Antoine L’Estage of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec and co-driver Nathalie Richard of Halifax, Nova Scotia, will contest the event with a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. L’Estage and Richard are coming off of a strong second place finish last week in Michigan at the first event in the Rally America series. Defending Production Sport class champion Jeffrey Dowell and Yavor Klostranec will team up in their stock Lancer on the slippery logging roads.

Five more teams will be entering open-class EVO rally cars; some of which will be looking to finish in the Top 5. Synchro Racing will back the Losier family including Simon in his EVO VIII, partnered with veteran Brian Maxwell, and Martin steering his EVO V with Patrick Losier. Regular championship fixtures Ian Crerar and Doug Draper are also back in action in a new Lancer EVO IX.

Rounding out the Brigade will be Michelle Laframboise, the only female driver contesting the event, with returning co-driver Dean Hopkins in their EVO 4. In addition, the Mitsubishi Brigade welcomes the Connecticut-based novice crew of Alvin Fong and Billy Machin aboard another EVO IX.

“Winter events are always unpredictable because of the nature of roads. But our crews have done extremely well in the past at this event, taking victories in six of the last eleven rounds”, mentioned Mr. Kenji Toh, VP Sales/Marketing & Corporate Planning for Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. “These teams are starting a fresh new season and we wish them the best and hope they do as well as last year.”

Rallye Perce-Neige: profile

First round of the season, the 47th running of the Rallye Perce-Neige will start Saturday morning in downtown Maniwaki at 9:00 am with teams heading for a 14-hour ice and snow fest on back roads. They will tackle more than 500 kilometers encompassing 16 speed sections for a total of 244 kilometres, making it the longest and most challenging round of the year. Friday, competitors will travel the stage roads at low speed to record pace notes before a charity fundraiser shakedown takes place in the evening. More information is available at www.rallyeperceneige.com.

Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard (left) debuted their new Lancer Evolution X last week with a second place finish at the SnoDrift Rally in Michigan. Right are defending Production Sport Jeffrey Dowell and Yavor Klostranec in their stock Lancer.

Credit : Scott Rains and Philip Ericksen

Bookmark to:

The Mitsubishi Brigade had three more finishers among the 23 cars completing the grueling event: drivers Ian Crerar took 11th, Maxime Losier finished 12th and Peter Thomson completed the round of survivors with a 16th place. Road conditions ruled the day as they were deeply rutted in some corners and very slippery in others. Tire choice was critical for most of the teams who experienced punctures, causing suspension and steering problems.

Attrition was high among the entire field and the Mitsubishi Brigade was not exempt. In their Mitsubishi Evolution X, already crowned 2011 Canadian and North American champions, Antoine L’Estage of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC and codriver Nathalie Richard of Halifax, NS won the first four competitive stages before their racing gearbox experienced problems and forced them to retire. Winnipeg brothers Jan and Jody Zedril in the 2 Wheel Drive and Group 5 categories with their Lancer as well as Jeffrey Dowell and Yavor Klostranec in a stock Production class Lancer were sidelined with a string of punctures and mechanical problems. Nevertheless, Mitsubishi dominated the 2011 Canadian rally season, collecting a total of 18 championship titles.

“We understand the Tall Pines was up to its reputation again and our teams were leading the rally and their respective classes before retiring for numerous reasons”, stated Mr. Kenji Toh, VP Sales/Marketing & Corporate Planning for Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. “We thank all the teams in the Mitsubishi Brigade for their dedication and accomplishments throughout the 2011 season. We look forward to seeing them back in action when the new season resumes in February.”

2012 : A new season

Tall Pines completes another Canadian Rally Championship calendar and teams will spend the coming months getting ready for the 55th rally season, the longest running motorsports championship in the country. All six events will return in 2012, taking the teams to four different provinces. The Rallye Perce-Neige, an event that originated in 1964, will welcome rally teams to Maniwaki, Quebec on the first weekend of February. For more information, please visit the series web site at www.carsrally.ca, the Perce-Neige web site at www.rallyeperceneige.com or visit our password free media website at www.mitsubishi-motors-pr.ca

Simon Losier and Brian Maxwell (right) in their Lancer EVO VIII finished 6th overall, assisting Mitsubishi’s Overall Manufacturer’s Championship title win. Right, Michelle Laframboise, the only female rally driver, took 8th overall, her career best finish in her Lancer EVO IV

Pictures by Philip Ericksen

Bookmark to:

In the 2 Wheel Drive group, the brother team of Jan and Jody Zedril from Winnipeg drove their Lancer to an eighth place overall finish and class wins in Group 5 and the 2WD category. They took the lead early and never looked back, clinching their victory by more than two minutes over their closest competitors. The Zedril eased their pace after two other Mitsubishi teams dropped out of the event, those of former champions Calgarians Szewczyk and Karzynski and newcomers Ostrowski and Galecki. For Mitsubishi, those victories guarantee up to five manufacturer titles for the 2011 season at this point.

“The leaders of the Mitsubishi Brigade had another very good weekend filled with success”, stated Fr. Kenji Toh, VP Sales/Marketing & Corporate Planning for Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. “We are proud of their accomplishment and we look forward to great results at the last round in Ontario.”

Last round : Tall Pines Rally

The last round of the 2011 calendar will be the Tall Pines Rally, a national event in November that goes back to the early seventies. Held around Bancroft in Ontario, Tall Pines is always filled with surprise, considering the narrow logging roads can turn from mud to ice or snow in a matter of hours. The ‘Pines’ is a one-day event starting early on Saturday and covering more than 520 kilometres in distance, comprising more than 200 in stages. For more information, please visit the event web site at www.tallpinesrally.com.

Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard (right) in their Mitsubishi Evolution are the 2011 national champions. The brother team of Jan and Jody Zedril have done the same in the two-wheel-drive category.

Pictures by Shawn Bishop

Bookmark to:

The 2WD class and Group 5 category will be a clash between three Mitsubishi teams. First, the returning champions Jan and Jody Zedril from Winnipeg are leading both standings and could be crowned again this weekend. But serious opposition will come from the Polish team of Calgarians Zebe Szewczyk and Tomasz Karzynski, the former champions with their Lancer. Last but not least, the second Albertan crew of Krystian Ostrowski and Christopher Galecki will enter their Mitsubishi Eclipse with hopes of a maiden class win.

“The teams of the Mitsubishi Brigade have been perfect all season long and this is a testimony to their skills and the reliability of our vehicles”, said Koji Soga, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. (MMSC). “The round in Western Canada could be the final point in their quest for new titles. We wish them the best again.”

Pacific Forest : long and winding roads

Pacific Forest Rally is the longest event in the season with almost 600 kilometres in distance, comprising 17 sections of sheer speed totalling 162 km for the 30-car starting list. The event will take to the logging roads around Merritt, B.C. from Friday afternoon only to finish Saturday night. Cars will spend the night in Parc Ferme. For more information, please visit the event web site at www.pacificforestrally.com or visit our password free media website at www.mitsubishi-motors-pr.ca

New North American champions, Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard in their Mitsubishi Evolution will be looking to stretch their victory string to eight in British Columbia. Jan and Jody Zedril from Winnipeg are on the way to another 2WD title but are already Group 5 champions.

Pictures by Philippe Ericksen

Bookmark to:

In the 2WD class, returning champions Jan and Jody Zedril from Winnipeg gave a driving clinic in their Group 5 Lancer with a convincing victory by more than 7 minutes. Jeffrey Dowell and Yavor Klostranec in their 2009 Lancer DE model were the eventual winners in Production Sport class. Both lead their category and all have but clinched the title at this point of the season. Mitsubishi is the leading manufacturer in more than 4 classes.

Synchro Racing was also impressive with two of their EVOs in the Top 10: Maxime Losier and Philippe Poirier in their EVO VIII took fourth overall, a mere 21 seconds away from a podium finish. Simon Losier and new co-driver Anick Madon earned ninth place while Martin and Patrick Losier had to settle with 15th overall. The lady crew of Michelle Laframboise from Picton and Elise Racette from Mirabel were one position behind them in 16th spot. Of the nine crews entered, eight completed this demanding event.

“Our Mitsubishi Brigade did exceptionally well this weekend and their success shines upon Mitsubishi who is leading many categories in the championship, a testimony to the liability of our products”, said Koji Soga, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. (MMSC). “We thank them for their constant efforts and hope they will do as well for the rest of the season.”

End of September in British Columbia

Merritt, B.C. will be the host of the next round of the Canadian Rally Championship with the Pacific Forest Rally just three weeks away, on September 30th and October 1st. Rally teams will run a few stages on Friday night before entering Parc Ferme until an early Saturday morning start for a total trek of almost 500 kilometres. For more information, please visit the event web site at www.pacificforestrally.com.

New North American champions, Antoine L’Estage and codriver Nathalie Richard (right) in their Mitsubishi Evolution will be looking to stretch their victory string to eight in British Columbia. Jan and Jody Zedril from Winnipeg are on the way to other titles but are already Group 5 champions.

Pictures by Philippe Ericksen

Bookmark to:

Back in action on their home turf, Synchro Racing Team is entering 3 Lancer EVOs for the members of the Losier family : Simon will team up with a new co-driver Anick Madon in his familiar EVO VIII from 7th place on the grid. From 9th place, Maxime will be at the helm of another EVO VIII with Philippe Poirier codriving. Finally, Martin and Patrick Losier will take to the roads in their EVO V from 15th position.

Competition will be fierce between 3 more Mitsubishi teams leading the two-wheel drive classes. Winnipeg’s own returning champions Jan and Jody Zedril now in Group 5 will have at it against Jeffrey Dowell and Yavor Klostranec who rule the Production Sport category with their 2009 Lancer DE. Jeff and Emma Tooth will start their second national event and could split the two other teams.

Last but not least, two regular teams at this level of competition are entered. Ian Crerar and Doug Draper in their EVO VI will start from 19th position in the line-up while the only lady crew in Canada, Michelle Laframboise and Elise Racette, are 27th at the start.

“Our teams were able to maintain the rhythm all season and are leading in many categories which shines back on our brand and shows the liability of our products,” said Koji Soga, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. (MMSC). “This event has proven to be a difficult one over the years for crews and cars and we trust they will again deliver good results.”

Defi 2011 profile

As usual, Rallye Defi spans over 3 days. After a day spent driving the roads at low speed to recce the speed sections in details, the cars will head to the start early Friday morning at 9 AM from Ste-Agathe for a first day of competition that will end at night with the famous Palomino stages for spectators. Saturday will be spent around Montpellier, a community closer to Ottawa/Gatineau: stages in the Papineau-Labelle reserve and the surrounding villages will take place, besides two feature spectator stages on asphalt. The podium ceremony and awards presentation will take place in Ripon on Saturday evening. For more information, please visit the event web site at www.rallyedefi.com or visit our password free media website at www.mitsubishi-motors-pr.ca

Unbeaten so far this season, Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard (left) in their Lancer Evolution are favorite to earn a fourth win in a row. Jeffrey Dowell and Yavor Klostranec are leading the Production Sport and 2WD classes in their production Lancer.

Pictures from Philippe Ericksen

Bookmark to:

24 among the 39-car starting grid fought over muddy and rocky roads to reach the finish line, including all the crews of the Mitsubishi Brigade. Jeffrey Dowell and Yavor Klostranec took another Production Sport class win in a stock Lancer DE and widened their lead in the national standings. Synchro Racing team had their own challenge with Maxime Losier and Philippe Poirier (EVO VIII) taking 9th, Martin and Patrick Losier (EVO V) earning 11th, and Simon Losier and Brian Maxwell (EVO VIII) following in 12th.

Americans Peter Guagenti and James Drake completed their maiden Baie event in their Lancer EVO IX RS in 20th place while the lady crew of Michelle Labramboise and Elise Racette took 24th overall. After a short off-road excursion on Friday night, the Clear Water Design entry of Ian Crerar and Doug Draper with an EVO VI took to the road again in the regional event and finished in second place.

“We are very proud of the first victory for Mitsubishi in that difficult event and we thank our leaders L’Estage et Richard for another win. This will go down in the long motorsports history of our brand,” said Koji Soga, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc.(MMSCAN). “We also acknowledge the performance of Dowell and Klostranec in a production Lancer. The fact that all our teams rallied the finish line says a lot about their determination and the quality of our products.”

Next event : Rallye Defi in September

The fourth event of the Canadian Rally Championship, Rallye Defi, will be held in the Laurentians and Ottawa Valley on September 9 and 10. This will be the last event held in the Quebec region this year and one all rally teams won’t want to miss. Meanwhile, the L’Estage and Richard duo are entered in the last round of the Rally America series, the Maine Forest Prorally. They are currently second in the standings and could earn another title with a victory.

More information is available at www.rallyedefi.com for the next event.

Pictures by Philip Ericksen

Bookmark to:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Bookmark to:

The shootout between two Mitsubishi teams in class 5 did not happen and Zbigniew Szewczyk and Shabir Haji easily won the category while finishing 11th overall in a Ralliart model. Returning 2WD champions, Jan and Jody Zedril of Winnipeg in a Lancer ES encountered a string of unusual problems and had to retire for the first time in two years.

The Clear Water Design teams had very different endings. Ontarians Ian Crerar and Doug Draper in their EVO VI kept a steady pace in the gruelling conditions and finished in 9th overall. On the other hand, the lady crew of Michelle Labramboise and Elise Racette was sidelined with their EVO IV when codriver Racette became sick in the first leg of the rally. Finally, Albertan rookies Jeff and Emma Tooth in a production Lancer completed their first RMR with a rewarding 15th place in the regional standings.

“Difficult weather conditions are no surprise in Alberta and we acknowledge yet another victory from our deserving leaders L’Estage and Richard,” said Koji Soga, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc.(MMSCAN). “The Mitsubishi cars did well again and we expect to see all of them at the next round in Quebec.”

Next event: Rallye Baie des Chaleurs

The third event of the season, Baie des Chaleurs, will host the next round in the Gaspe Peninsula on the first weekend of July. This event always draws large crowds and the famous jump at the end of the last stage always makes for great pictures when the cars get airborne.

On the other hand, winners L’Estage and Richard are headed for Pennsylvania where the 5th round of Rally America will be disputed next week. The Susquehannock Trail Pro Rally is staged around Wellsboro; L’Estage and Richard won the event last year in their Mitsubishi Evolution.

More information is available at www.rallyebdc.com

Repeat Rocky winners, Antoine L’Estage and codriver Nathalie Richard in their 2009 Evolution stretch their lead in the Canadian Championship. Calgarians Zbigniew Zebe Szewczyk and Shabir Haji took a Group 5 class win in their Lancer Ralliart. Photos by Barry Giles

Bookmark to: