BANCROFT, ONTARIO, November 27, 2011 – “Crazy”
Leo Urlichich (Thornhill, ON) and co-driver Martin Brady (Meath, Ireland) beat
a record breaking number of entries at the 2011 Rally of the Tall Pines, their
first win at a Canadian Rally Championship event. Competition was extremely
strong, with main CRC rivals Pat Richard (Squamish, BC) and Antoine L'Estage
(St Jean Sur Richelieu, QC) as well as 2011 Rally America champions David
Higgins (Trefeglwys, Wales) and co-driver Craig Drew (Gloucestershire,
England), on hand for their first ever Rally of the Tall Pines.
“This was a really tough event, probably the hardest I've done in my
entire career,” said Higgins, who went on to finish second. “Primarily, we came
here to test the car, but when you're a competitive person, you want to push
for the win.”
In two wheel drive, the entry was equally impressive. Series regulars
Jan and Jody Zedril (Winnipeg) faced off against local talent Peter Kocandrle
(Kitchener-Waterloo, ON) and co-driver Alex Kihurani (Philadelphia, PA), as
well as Simon Dube (Jonquière, QC) and Pat
Lavigne (Montreal). 2011 Rally American 2WD Champions Wyatt Knox (Franconia,
NH) and co-driver Ole Holter (Long Beach, CA) entered in a Ford Fiesta R2,
while 2009 RA 2WD Champ Dillon Van Way (Baton Rouge, LA) and co-driver Jake
Blattner (Salem, OR) were also on hand in a Fiesta.
Dube and Knox traded stage times and the class lead, and heading into
the final stage, Dube and Lavigne had a lead of just over one minute, 30
seconds. However, on the final stage, Egan Creek, Dube had an electrical fault
that cut the engine, costing the team six minutes and handing the lead to Knox
and Holter.
Production company TV2Go offered fans a home a unique opportunity with a
precedent setting high definition live stream to web. Three live shows covered
the ceremonial start and first stage, a mid day service and the podium finish.
Those who wish to watch the shows on demand can do so on Flatovercrest.com.
The 2012 Canadian
Rally Championship season is only a few short months away. Kicking off with the
Rallye Perce Neige in Maniwaki, QC teams will take on the classic winter rally
February 4-5, 2012. Massive snowbanks offer both help in staying on the road,
and a threat in their ability to pull a car off the road. Icy conditions
require a special talent as studded tires are not permitted. The Rallye Perce
Neige is perhaps Canada's most remote rally with very long and challenging
stages.
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 byYokohama Tire Canada and features contingency programs from Subaru Canada and Mitsubishi
Canada. The Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS) is the official sanctioning body for rallying in Canada.
- Leo Urlichich – Martin Brady – One hour, 59 minutes, 4.8 seconds
- David Higgins – Craig Drew – 1:59:36.7
- Bruno Carre – Yvan Joyal – 2:07:51.7
- Ugo Desgreniers – Erik Kirby – 2:12:25.7
- Steeve Hobbs – Jean-Mathieu Tremblay – 2:13:19.7
- Simon Losier – Brian Maxwell – 2:16:24.0
- Nick Mathew – Kelly Matthew – 2:17:59.1
- Michelle Laframboise – Dean Hopkins – 2:20:04.8
- Wyatt Knox – Ole Holter – 2:20:19.7
- Ryan Huber – John Vanos – 2:21:16.1