L'Estage - Thomson: A Battle for the 2005 Title

Courtesy Canadian Association of RallySport (905) 640-6444

Stouffville (Ontario), September 7, 2005 – The Défi Ste-Agathe/Duhamel, Round 4 of the Canadian Rally Championship will mark the beginning of an epic battle for supremacy between Ontario’s Peter Thomson and Quebec’s Antoine L'Estage. It is now obvious that one of these two fine drivers will be crowned Canadian Rally Champion at the end of the present season.

At moment of writing, thirty-nine crews are entered in the event and although L’Estage and Thomson are two obvious favourites for the overall victory, several other teams will also be in the hunt. Sylvain Érickson, co-driven by his daughter Chloé will undoubtedly be a treat to be reckoned with. Érickson climbed on the podium on his return to rallying last July at the Baie-des-Chaleurs event. The highly spectacular driver will again be behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi Lancer he drove to overall victory in Ste. Agathe two years ago.

Although relatively unknown to the fans, three American teams can also cause some surprises. Lauchlin O'Sullivan of California will be co-driven by Nathalie Richard who is the overall Canadian and North American defending Champion. O'Sullivan/Richard duet will be behind the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRX. Also in the hunt for victory are Matthew Iorio and Ole Holter who finished second in the Baie-des-Chaleurs rally aboard their Impreza WRX. Finally, John Cassidy of Maine will also be driving a Subaru but this time his car has been prepared in Quebec.

The top two-wheel drive competitors, such as six-time Canadian Rally Champion Frank Sprongl of Ontario (Suzuki Swift +) and Jon Nichols of Quebec (Golf Gti) will entertain the spectators with their astonishing slides as their car control is simply stupendous.

The start of the Défi Ste-Agathe/Duhamel will be given in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts this Friday, September 9 at 6 p.m. Four special stages will be held that evening. On Saturday, the action will move to the town of Duhamel with some of the most challenging gravel roads of the season. The arrival is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Timing and scoring will be available on www.rallyscoring.com and www.rallyedefi.com.