Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 41

season. But we’ve done it before, and
we’re looking forward to a new season.”
While all the other teams have not
declared their full intentions yet, SRTC is
leaving no stretch of gravel unturned in
their pursuit of the championships — they
expect the competition to be strong and
that’s guided their off-season preparations.
“Between Antoine and myself, we have won
11 of the last 12 driver championships in
Canada,” Pat Richard stated in the official
© Matt Janiak 2015

release announcing the new team. “With

Alan Ockwell and Antoine L’Estage.

this strong car, driver and team combination
for 2015, we have set ambitious goals for
ourselves — we hope to be breaking stage
records everywhere we go.”
These sentiments were echoed strongly

Quick out
of the gate:

New SRTC
leads home
a brigade of
Subaru teams
The Subaru Rally Team Canada (SRTC)
scored a dominant win at the opening round

L’Estage headed west to Squamish, BC, to

by the new Subaru driver pairing. “Our

of the 2015 Canadian Rally Championship,

visit RRR headquarters and meet with arch

target is to win the Canadian championships

leading home four other Subaru teams to

rival Pat Richard. There was no opportunity

for manufacturer, driver and co-driver,” Alan

lock out the top-5 positions overall. The

to test the rally car; that would come in the

Ockwell confided. “We’re expecting a battle

new pairing of Antoine L’Estage and Alan

days leading up to Rally Perce Neige the first

at each event — and we have to learn a

Ockwell were quickest on 14 of the 16

weekend in February (see sidebar for results).

new car — but we’re aiming high.”

stages at Rallye Perce-Neige held in wintry

“I had some very good discussions

As the team enters the season with the

conditions in Maniwaki, Quebec, the

with everybody in the team,” Antoine

strongest package overall, some might think

L’Estage said following the visit. “They

they’ll just take it easy and cruise to top

welcomed me very nicely and they have a

finishes. Nothing could be further from the

with their 2015 Subaru WRX STI, they

very good group of people. I’ve known the

truth. “The team wants me to go hard and

continued to stretch their lead, ultimately

Subaru people for a long time, competing

push and that’s what I like to do,” Antoine

winning by over eight minutes. Second place

against them. [This year] will be something

L’Estage said. “I had a fantastic year in

went to Sylvain Vincent and Dominique Cyr

different, but it’s great to have a new

2014, winning all the rallies. That’s my goal

in a Subaru Impreza, while Karel Carré and

challenge and it motivates me a lot.”

this year, although it may sound crazy.”

Philippe Poirier finished third in a Subaru

Given how competitive all the various

Anchoring the entire effort is the 2015

weekend of February 6-7.
As the duo became more comfortable

Impreza WRX STI.

members of the team have been in

Subaru WRX STI, modified by Rocket

the past, it’s little surprise that SRTC

Rally Racing to withstand the rigours of

positions, there were also eight Subaru teams

enters the season as the overwhelming

a season of flat-out driving. Proven over

in the top-10. An incredible 13 of the 17

favourites. Of course, this situation brings

decades of international rally competition,

finishing teams at Rallye Perce-Neige were

its own set of pressures. “It’s much harder

the WRX STI is acknowledged to be one

piloting a Subaru vehicle.

to defend than to chase,” Alan Ockwell

of the toughest and fastest rally cars

noted, in describing the challenge this

in history. In this year’s Canadian Rally

year. “Finding the right tempo is very

Championship, the car may be going

tough, especially over the course of a full

faster than ever.

In addition to sweeping the top-5

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