Canadian rally: Mitsubishi Top Teams vie for Rocky Mountain Top Honours

Mitsubishi Top Teams vie for Rocky Mountain Top Honours

Toronto (May 26, 2009) – The Canadian Rally Championship is moving west to Calgary for the Rocky Mountain Rally this coming weekend and Mitsubishi will have some of its winningest crews enter the second round of the season.  North American and twice Canadian champions and winners of the first round earlier in February, Antoine L'Estage and codriver Nathalie Richard, will take to the roads Friday evening in their 2009 Lancer Evolution. Albertans Zbigniew Szewczyk and Tomasz Karzynski will follow in a Group 5 Ralliart model while returning Production champions, brothers Jan and Jody Zedril from Manitoba are now entering the Group 2 class. These three teams are looking for an outright victory, a podium finish and a class win.

Presently 3rd in the Rally America standings, Andrew Comrie-Picard and Brit codriver Robbie Durant will charge as well for a podium place in another 09 Evolution. Synchro Autosport from Blainville, Quebec is also fielding a couple of Evolution 8 RSs with the usual Losier father and son crews. First, Réjean with codriver Maxime, then Simon, the 2008 Mitsubishi Cup winner, will pair up with François Morin. Finally, Mike Elhard and Thomas Chichak will vie for top rookie title in a first generation Evolution. 

"We were very pleased with Antoine L'Estage taking a first win with the new Evolution this winter", stated Koji Soga, President and CEO of MitsFromubishi Motor Sales of Canada. "We hope he repeats this feat again in the Rockies. But other Mitsubishi crews are also very deserving and we hope our Rally Program helps them in their quest for titles in their own classes. The standings for the Mitsubishi Cup show Antoine leading but we know it is a long season and Andrew and the Losier family will attack every event."

Event profile: Rocky Mountain Rally
After the usual Friday afternoon procedures before the official start, Antoine L'Estage will head out first on the road for a few spectator stages before the cars enter Parc fermé for night. Saturday morning will see the southern trek to the Porcupine Hills where most of the event will be held. This area in the past has offered every possible scenario, from hot and dusty roads to heavy snow. At the end of the long 12-hour day, teams will gather in Pincher Creek for the podium ceremony. For more information, please visit www.rockymountainrally.com or visit our password free media website at www.mitsubishi-motors-pr.ca

From Susan Elliott, Manager, Corporate & Product Communications