• Canadian Champion Patrick Richard wins Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs !



• Canadian Rally Champion Patrick Richard…
  Returns to Rallye BAIE-DES-CHALEURS !!!



• Team: Musketeer Racing
  2002 MLRC Performance Rally Team of the Year
  


• VAN GOGH PROMOTIONS



• ROCKET RALLY RACING

Canadian Champion Patrick Richard wins Rallye Baie des Chaleurs

July 7th - New Richmond, Quebec: Canadian rally champion and North American Group N champion Patrick Richard took first place at the Rallye Baie des Chaleurs last weekend. The race, held in New Richmond, Quebec, was the sixth round of the Canadian Rally Championship and provided a spectacular display of Canada's top rally teams in action. Richard and the Subaru Rally Team Canada won the race by a comfortable four minute margin. However on the first night a closely fought battle developed between the three fastest drivers.

Richard and his two rivals Sylvain Erickson and Andrew Comrie-Picard finished Stage A-1 in almost a dead heat. Stage A-2, a new one for the event, was run twice and Comrie-Picard opened up a lead over Richard on the first pass.

"I wasn't really worried because it's a long rally" said Richard. "On the new stage it was hard to trust the pace notes at first because they weren't written by us. However the second time we ran it we pushed quite hard and set the fastest pace."

However Comrie-Picard lost valuable time when his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 4 had a flat tire. Erickson, also driving a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 4, suffered a broken gearbox and was forced to retire.

By the end of the first night Richard and co-driver Ian McCurdy had a comfortable three and a half minute lead over the rest of the field and didn't look back for the remainder of the event. The technicians at Subaru Rally Team Canada did a superb job of preparing and servicing Richard's 2004 Impreza WRX STi. The car ran flawlessly and powered home to its first ever Canadian Championship win.

On the second day Richard and McCurdy put on a dramatic show for the spectators. The pair used the long, narrow straightaways to clock speeds of up to 210 km/h in their new STi. The wide corners invited classic sideways driving and the famous jump at the end of the Camp Brûlé stage flew them across the finish line in spectacular style.

"It's satisfying to be back in the winners circle because we haven't won a Canadian event since Rallye de Quebec" said Richard. "In the last three events we've had two DNFs and a second place, so defending the Championship title still looks very difficult even with this win."

Further information about Patrick Richard:
Web site : http://www.patrickrichard.com

Press inquiries:
Tim Gage,
Phone: (604)- 505- 5960
E-mail:

Canadian Rally Champion Patrick Richard
Returns to Rallye Baie des Chaleurs

July 3rd - Vancouver, BC: Canadian rally champion and North American Group N

Champion Patrick Richard will be back in New Richmond, Quebec this weekend to compete in the sixth round of the Canadian Rally Championship. Patrick and co-driver Ian McCurdy will once again be thrilling the spectators as they challenge other top Canadian teams for the national title at the Rallye Baie des Chaleurs on July 4th and 5th.

The race is being held on the southern side of the Gaspé Peninsula and is one of Patrick's favorite events. "I like the conditions at this event." said Patrick. "I like the surface of the roads. It's quite rough and there are loads of jumps so you should see the car fly. It's also one of those rallies that's known for its crazy fans. So I think it's going to be a lot of fun."

Patrick has competed in the Rallye Baie des Chaleurs several times before but has never won the event. He is keen to claim his position at the top of the podium especially since he finished in second place for the last two years running. In previous years Patrick demonstrated astounding driving skills despite driving in less powerful Group N and P4 cars. In 2002 he was only just beaten by his Subaru team mate Tom McGeer who took first place in a more powerful open class WRX.

This year Patrick and the Subaru Rally Team Canada are hoping to set a blistering pace with their Open Class 2004 Impreza WRX STi. However the team has decided to replace the racing-style dog box with a standard STi gearbox.

The standard gearbox is about a second per kilometer slower but is basically bullet proof.

"Despite being slower, the standard gearbox has always been more reliable for me and with a more reliable car I'm going to be able to push that much harder for the win" said Patrick.

Forty two cars will be racing on over 200 kilometers of stages this weekend. The event is expected to draw large crowds, especially at the Camp Brûlé" spéciale" where close to 3,000 spectators typically gather to watch the race.

Patrick is the only North American to also be competing in the World Rally Championship and following the event in Quebec, he and the team will have two weeks of rest before departing to Germany for the next leg of the World Rally Championship, July 24th - 27th.

Further information about Patrick Richard:
Web site : http://www.patrickrichard.com

Press inquiries:
Tim Gage,
Phone: (604)- 505- 5960
E-mail:

Team: Musketeer Racing
2002 MLRC Performance Rally Team of the Year

Musketeer Racing is very happy to be returning to New Richmond, Quebec, home of the best rally fans in North America. Last year, their first time at the Rallye Baie-des-Chaleurs, they finished on the podium and they look forward to sharing the champagne with the fans again this year. The car is much more sophisticated this year, with proper open-class gearbox, differential and brakes where last year all of these were completely stock.

As the top privateer team in Canada in 2002, Musketeer Racing relies on its devoted and expert volunteer crew. Drop by in service and say hello!

Musketeer Racing would not be able to compete without the tremendous help of its sponsors:

Sponsors:

Driver: Andrew Comrie-Picard
Born: Edmonton, Alberta
Lives: New York, New York
Seed: 1
Rally: 1999 Monte Carlo Historic - First in class - Volvo Amazon
2001 Ontario Regional Championship - Second in class - Lada Samara
2002 Ontario Regional Championship - First Overall - Mitsubishi Evolution
2002 Canadian Rally Championship - Novice Champion - Mitsubishi Evolution
2002 Canadian Rally Championship - Open Class Champion - Mitsubishi Evolution
2002 Canadian Rally Championship - Second Overall - Mitsubishi Evolution
Favourite Drivers: Colin McRae, Hannu Mikkola, Eric Carlsson
Interests: Rally history, automotive engineering, wine.

Co-driver: Marc Goldfarb
Born: New York, New York
Lives: Atkinson, New Hampshire
Rally: Over 20 years of Performance and Endurance TSD co-driving experience.
First Rally 1978. First stage rally 1979, First National Pro Rally STPR 1980. Previous Top G5 NeDiv-SCCA co-driver. Has worked with the top rally teams in US and Canada, including Vermont Sports Car, and AV Sport. Co-driving Instructor for Team O’Neil driving school. Course Marshall/Rallymaster for the Great North Woods Club Rally.

Crew: Adam Dowsett, Robin Emard, Simon Losier (Fabricator - Underbody Protection), Rob Metcalfe, Dan Nault (Engine Builder), Gilles Nault, Julie Nault, Roger Sanderson (Electrical Design), Martin Strange (Western Consultant), Francois Vielleux

Car: 1997 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV
Class: Open
Cage by: Vermont Sports Car (Colchester) 2001
Built by: TAD Motorsports (Chicago) 2001
Previous Owner: Richard Tuthill, UK
Horsepower: Approx. 320
Engine Mgmt: Autronics with Anti-lag control and data logging
Gearbox: Gemini short-ratio dogbox
Differentials: KAAZ limited slip
Suspension: DMS 50mm Giant Struts
Tires: Silverstone S525
Brakes: AP front/Brembo rear; twin-circuit with balance bar and hydraulic handbrake
Pads: Pagid
Lubricants: Motul

VAN GOGH PROMOTIONS

Performance Rallying carries a legacy of adventurous and talented drivers and co-drivers. The events are substantial tests of driving dexterity, navigational ability and attention to detail and safety. The idea behind every rally is to use caution at high-speeds, enjoy the event, and perform well. Brothers John and Clarke Paynter take this to heart each time they compete in a Performance event. John, Regional Representative for Subaru Canada, is a long-time race competitor, who began rallying in 1997. In 1994 he received a 2nd place in ITB class in the Moosehead Grand Prix in Halifax Nova Scotia and achieved another 2nd place rank in Regional GT2 in the Atlantic Challenge in 1996.

His brother, Clarke, Senior Financial Consultant with CIBC Wood Gundy, has been supporting and organizing rallies since 1978 and competing since 1986, having been ranked 11th top co-driver in North America in 1988. John and Clarke had an impressive start as driver and co-driver in 1997 with The Rallye Baie des Chaleurs, finishing 5th overall and first in Production GT. In 1998, John Paynter purchased Tom McGeer's old Subaru¹s 2.2 litre turbo-charged Legacy AWD, and made their first bid at the Canadian Championship. Capturing the 1998 GT Championship, with John placing 2nd Novice Driver, the team has seen much success since that point.

In 2001, hey completed all but one of the 8 events in the 2001 Subaru Canadian Rally Championship series and were awarded the title of Production 4 class Champions and finished the season in third place overall, for their efforts.

Impreza WRX Turbo Wagon - P4 class

• Engine: 1994 cc 2.5L DOHC horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, turbocharged/intercooled
• Output: 227 bhp
• Turbocharger: IHI "Group N" turbo with 32mm inlet restrictor
• Stroke: 75.0 mm
• Compression: 8.0:1
• Fuel: VP motorsport 103/ unleaded
• SUBARU / FHI sequential multiport fuel injection
• Suspension: Front/Rear - MacPherson sturt with DMS  50mm / coil over rally shocks
• Transmission: 5- speed manual
• Rear Differential: SPD Tuning - KAZZ Limited Slip,100% lockup
• Brake System: 4 wheel disc (Subaru rotors and 4-pot calipers)
• Brake Pads: Porterfield RS4

Driver ~ John Paynter

• Born -- York County, ON
• Residence -- Lower Sackville, N.S
• Occupation -- Regional Rep- Subaru Canada
• Seed -- 2
• 4-time Atlantic Region Rally Champion
• 2001 Canadian Production 4 Champion
• 1998 Canadian GT Champion
• 1999 Team of the Year

Co-Driver ~ Clarke Paynter

• Born -- Summerside, P.E.I
• Residence -- Dartmouth, N.S
• Occupation -- Senior Financial Consultant
• 4-time Atlantic Reg. Rally Champion
• 2001 Canadian Production 4 Champion
• 1998 Canadian GT Champion

ROCKET RALLY RACING

Patrick Richard will team up again with co-driver Ian McCurdy when they return to Baie Des Chaleurs, 4 years after they started their rallying career and competed with a roof rack on their car. Richard, and the Subaru Rally Team Canada, are contesting three series, and a number of championships this year, including defending his 2002 Canadian Championship, his 2002 North American Group N championship a well as competing the FIA sanctioned Rally Series North America. Richard, with the support of the Subaru Rally Team Canada is also the first Canadian to compete in a complete season in the Production Car World Rally Championship.

Impreza WRX Turbo Sedan - WRX STi Open

• Engine: 1994 cc 2.5L DOHC horizontally opposed, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, turbocharged/intercooled
• Output: 300 bhp
• Turbocharger: IHI "Group N" turbo with 32mm inlet restrictor
• Stroke: 75.0 mm
• Compression: 8.0:1
• Fuel: VP motorsport 103/ unleaded
• SUBARU / FHI sequential multiport fuel injection
• Suspension: Front/Rear - MacPherson sturt with DMS  50mm / coil over rally shocks
• Transmission: 6- speed STi manual
• Rear Differential: SPD Tuning - KAZZ Limited Slip,100% lockup
• Brake System: 4 wheel disc (Subaru rotors and 4-pot calipers)
• Brake Pads: Porterfield RS4
• Wheels: SPD Tuning - Speedline RL-7 15"

Driver ~ Patrick Richard

• Born -- Sherbrooke, QC
• Residence -- Whistler, British Columbia
• Occupation -- Self Employed
• 2001 North American Production GT Champion
• 2000 Canadian Production GT Champion
• 2000 SCCA (U.S) Production GT Champion
• 2000 North American Rally Cup Production GT Champion
• 2002 Canadian Champion

Co-Driver ~ Ian McCurdy

• Born -- Halifax, N.S
• Residence -- Whistler, British Columbia
• Occupation -- Computer Service Technician
• 2001 North American Production GT Champion
• 2000 Canadian Production GT Champion
• 2002 Canadian Champion