Shootout in New Richmond

Posted on 26. Jun, 2009 by Dean in Baie-des-Chaleurs 2009

The Rallye Baie
Des Chaleurs is a few hours away and teams will be fighting in one of
the tightest championship battles in years. With the top eight teams in
the Canadian Rally Championship separated by just 10 points, Baie will
be a shootout right to the finish.

Both Pat Richard
and Antoine L'Estage have each earned one win and suffered one DNF this
year, resulting in a tie for the championship lead at 23 points each.
Neither one can afford to give the other driver a chance, but a
mistake here could be costly, potentially ending a championship run.

“We really need
to manage our speed at this event,” says Richard, “The
championship is so close that you can't really back off to save the
car, but this event is rough and you need to be careful."

In the ten point
spread behind the two lead drivers are another 6 teams ready to
pounce on any mistake an opponent makes.

Sylvain Erickson,
who has won here in the past, is hoping to score some valuable
championship points, and at only six point back from the leaders, has
the speed and skill to threaten for the win.

Andrew
Comrie-Picard and stand in co-driver Jen Horsey will hop eto narrow
the gap to the Pat and Antoine. ACP sits only four points back, and
finished second place despite a difficult run at the Rocky Mountain
Rally last month in Calgary.

All the teams will
have to watch out for American driver Ken Block, with Subaru Rally
Team USA. Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino won this event in
2008, their first time here, and are keen to repeat the feat.

"The
atmosphere is something very close to what you see in a WRC or
European championship event and that makes Baie quite unique in North
American rally," said Gelsomino. "Those are truly world
class roads, really enjoyable to drive but they don't give much of a
chance if you make a mistake."

The event itself
is rough and very fast, which suits the all out style of Block. Teams
must drive cleanly to stay ahead of the competition. Last year, both
Block and Richard suffered numerous technical problems as the pair
battled for the win.

This
year's entry nears 50 cars, and will be highlighted by Martin Gauvin
and Daniel Duchesneau of New Richmond, Que., and Craig Henderson and
Lyne Murphy also of New Richmond, Que. Both have earned podium
finishes in the past and are viable threats on their hometown roads.

Nick and
Kelly Mathew of Caledon, Ont., will aim for more valuable
championship points after a third place finish at the Rocky Mountain
Rally.

Jan and
Jody Zedril are entered after a bad crash at the Rocky Mountain Rally
in late May left their two wheel drive Mitsubishi Lancer in need of
repairs. Currently second place in the Two Wheel Drive Championship,
and their rivals not entered, the Zedrils have a great opportunity to
move up in the standings.

"Work
started on the car as soon as we got home from Rocky, and we're all
set to go," said Jody Zedril.

Rain fell
this afternoon, wetting the roads. The forecast is calling for more
rain tonight and tomorrow, which could drastically change the roads
from the dry conditions seen during the recce.

Antoine L'Estage
has summed up the 2009 Rallye Baie-Des-Chaleurs for everyone.

“Baie is
going to be a really exciting rally for the fans and teams, with so
much competition,” said L’Estage. “I don't want to let Ken
Block win again!”