The Rockstar Energy Drink rally Team of drivers Antoine L'Estage from St-jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec and co-driver Nathalie Richard from Halifax, Nova Scotia won their third consecutive New England Forest Rally (NEFR).
The team took a commanding position in the first six stages of the rally as the rest of the drivers were dealing with thickening dust that obstructed front view from inside the car.
"It went really well," said driver L'Estage to Off-Road.com. "Friday is where we made our time and then tried to keep our nose clear and not make any mistakes. For us it's a great win and another great season."
Both L'Estage and Richard have been on a series of successful runs and recently won the last two Rally America national events as well as all the Canadian Rally Championship this year.
The Rockstar Energy Drink Team began their rally in a commanding position to win 21 seconds ahead of the Subaru Rally Team USA led by drivers David Higgins from Trefeglwys, Mid Wales and Craig Drew from Bristol, UK.
"Since May we've had a fantastic season," Richard told reporters. "Too bad we had problems at the beginning of the Rally America season. Congrats to Higgins and Drew. Looking forward to 2013."
The Subaru Rally Team, however, has other news to celebrate after locking up the 2012 Rally America National Championship at the New England Forest Rally, and only one national event is left in the calendar for this year.
"The first day of new England was pretty horrible," Higgins said. "Dust breaks your rhythm all the time. You go flat out in sixth gear then you hit a cloud of dust. The organizers did a great job rescheduling the rally the next day. It's a great team effort and a big relief to put this Championship in the bag."
Regular drivers from Canada, Ugo Desgreniers and Erik Kirby drove their first Rally America podium with a third-place finish in their 2005 Subaru WRX STI. Ramana Lagemann from Somerville, MA and co-driver Chrissie Beavis from San Diego, CA won their debut Super Production (SP) Class after overcoming various technical problems to finish 3 minutes 55 seconds ahead of drivers David Sterckx from Santa Ana, CA and Karen Jankowski from San Marcos, CA.
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