Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard Attack the 2010 North American Rally Seaso

Montréal (Québec), January 25 2010.– Today, Quebec driver Antoine L’Estage and his co-driver Nathalie Richard, both of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (QC), announced a 2010 program that once again includes participation in the full Canadian Rally Championship at the wheel of their Rockstar Royal Group Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X. They will also compete against the top American drivers in several rounds of the United States’ Rally America series, with the intentions of qualifying Antoine for the Summer X Games as well as earning his third North American Championship title.

Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard will again rely on the dedicated collaboration of John Buffum, crew chief and rally car builder, as well as major supporters including Rockstar Energy Drink, Royal Group (Concerto), Yokohama Tires Canada, and Mitsubishi Canada all of whom are returning with the fan-favourite team for the 2010 season.

« Our season starts this weekend at the SnoDrift Rally in Michigan, the first round of the Rally America series. » indicates Antoine L’Estage, « I’ve only competed in it once back in 2008 but we came away with the win and we plan to be very competitive again this weekend» he adds. The following week, the entire team will be back in Quebec for the Rallye Perce-Neige in Maniwaki (Haute Gatineau), an event at which the L’Estage/Richard team was victorious the past two years. « Perce-Neige has great roads and it’s one of my favourite rallies. It’s challenging but it’s been good to us and we have come out at the top of the podium in 2006, 2008 and 2009 » adds the two-time Canadian and North American Champion.

The Rockstar Royal Group team’s 2010 program includes the entire six rounds of the Canadian Rally Championship as well as at least four of the six rounds in the Rally America series. « Our goal in the United States is to win events, qualify Antoine for his third X Games this August, and score top points for the North American Rally Cup. We’ll definitely compete at the first two events south of the border (Michigan this weekend and in Missouri at the end of February) plus at least two of their remaining four rallies in the spring and summer » explains Nathalie Richard, who, since mid-season 2006, sits alongside L’Estage as his trusted co-driver.

Antoine L’Estage holds two Canadian Championship titles (2006 and 2007), as well as two North American titles (2007 and 2008) and a total of 19 overall victories on both sides of the border. As for Nathalie, she has four national championship titles (Canada and USA) and twenty-eight overall victories. In 2009, Nathalie was crowned North American Champion for an impressive fifth time.

Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard participate in the 2009 Canadian Rally Championship with the support of Rockstar Energy Drink, Royal Group, Yokohama Tires, Mitsubishi Canada, Drenth Motorsport Gearboxes, Garrett Turbos, Énergie Cardio, Libra Racing, OMP Racewear and MBF Racing. For more information on the team or on rallying in general, visit Coyote Rallye.

Source : Coyote Rallye Media Services, (514) 825 - 4332