- Subaru Rally Team Canada sits atop championship standings after 225-kilometre rally
- Top five finishers were all Subaru vehicles, putting brand firmly on track to claim record 13th Manufacturer's championship
(MISSISSAUGA) — Subaru Canada, Inc. is pleased to announced that Subaru Rally Team Canada (SRTC) claimed victory at Quebec's Rallye Défi, widening Subaru's lead in the Manufacturer's championship standings, and giving the team the lead in the season's standings. Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Alan Ockwell overcame a number of challenges, including a brake failure and a punctured tire, over the course of the 225-kilometre event in western Quebec to emerge victorious.
“We had a great rally – a great team win,” L'Estage said. “It shows also the strength of our Subaru, because really the conditions were crazy and a lot of people had problems over the rough stuff and we did not.”
After starting the rally strong, L'Estage and Ockwell were hit with a number of small issues, including a punctured tire, that led to delays. Despite the setbacks, L'Estage was able to push through the punishing conditions, finishing the 21-stage rally nearly eight minutes ahead of the second-place team. The win marks L'Estage's ninth Rallye Défi victory, and gives him a slight lead in the standings as the Canadian Rally Championship (CRC) season continues into its second half.
The top five finishers – as well as seven of the top 10 – in the gruelling Rallye Défi were Subaru vehicles, allowing Subaru to continue its domination of the Manufacturer's championship standings as it looks to claim a record 13th title.
The 2017 CRC season continues next month in British Columbia with the 10-stage Pacific Forest Rally. It's scheduled to take place Oct. 12-14 in Merritt, B.C.
Pos |
Time |
Vehicle |
Class |
Driver/Co-driver |
1 |
2:00:09.0 |
2015 Subaru WRX STI |
4wO |
L'Estage/Ockwell |
2 |
2:07:50.1 |
2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI |
4wPd |
Urlichich/Kihurani |
3 |
2:10:23.2 |
2016 Subaru Crosstrek |
4wO |
Semenuk/Hall |
4 |
2:11:51.7 |
2005 Subaru Impreza WRX |
4wO |
Leblanc/Leblanc |
5 |
2:15:33.8 |
1994 Subaru Impreza |
4wO |
Vincent/Gaudreau |
6 |
2:17:31.7 |
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII |
4wPd |
Laverdière/Trudel |
7 |
2:20:58.0 |
2001 Subaru Impreza |
4wO |
Rainville/Dine |
8 |
2:21:58.3 |
2016 Ford Fiesta |
2wO |
Wallingford/Junilla |
9 |
2:25:52.4 |
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI |
4wO |
Carré/Joyal |
10 |
2:26:20.5 |
1998 Honda Civic |
2wPd |
Leblanc/L'Italian-Leblanc |
About Subaru Canada, Inc. Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 93 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, please visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca or follow @SubaruCanada on Twitter.