Rally of the Tall Pines starts tomorrow

Posted on 20. Nov, 2009 by Dean in Tall Pines 2009

The Rally of the Tall Pines starts
tomorrow in muddy conditions that have already proven a challenge to
competitors.

“We haven't seen conditions like this
in 20 years,” said Clerk of the Course, Ross Wood.

Mud on the stages slowed recce today,
and all crews reported that conditions were slippery.

“The guys will be up late cutting
tires tonight,” said Frank Sprongl, who along with his brother Dan
will be running a second car for the Subaru Rally Team Canada. The
Sprongls ran recce on Yokohama mud tires, which Frank said filled up
with mud very quickly, causing the car to slide over the top of the
road.

Teams had a chance to try the mud at
full rally pace during shakedown runs, when one crew fell victim to
the muddy conditions.

Pat Richard and Alan Ockwell had a soft
roll when slippery conditions bested the defending Canadian Rally
Champions.

“The car had just cosmetic damage,
nothing major at all,” said Ockwell.

Obviously frustrated with the off,
Richard explained that conditions were far more slippery than
anticipated. The Rocket Rally Subaru Rally Team Canada crew
immediately dove into action to repair the damage to the car and have
it ready for the morning.

Richard and Ockwell will need to go full tilt
tomorrow to hold off Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard in the driver's championship.
L'Estage will win the title by finishing second tomorrow, even if
Richard wins the event.

“We are ready to fight for the win,
and the car is perfect, ready to go,” said L'Estage.