Pacific Forest Rally, October 12 & 13, 2012
Presented by Subaru, Yokohama & Mitsubishi Motors
Round 5 of the 2012 Canadian Rally Championship
CANADIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS TO BC
MERRITT, BC – The Canadian Rally Championship makes its annual Pacific Forest Rally (PFR) pit stop on Oct. 12 and 13, 2012 in the City of Merritt as the fifth round of the 2012 series. PFR attracts rally teams from around Canada and the U.S. who compete in production-based cars on the challenging back roads of the Nicola Valley.
The continuing battle between the Mitsubishi’s and Subaru’s continues with Antoine L’Estage sitting in a strong position for Mitsubishi at 83 points followed by Leo Urlichich in second place for Subaru at 59 points. Local favourite Pat Richard of Squamish B.C. driving for the Subaru national team has had some bad luck with mechanical problems relegating him to a third place standing after 4 rounds of the 6 round championship series. Anything can happen in motorsports, and all eyes are focussed on Merritt where a change in the standings will increase the excitement prior to the series ending Nov 24, 2012 at Rally of the Tall Pines, Bancroft, Ontario.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the Pacific Forest Rally are working hard to deliver a national caliber event centered in downtown Merritt with eight challenging stages on the closed roads of the surrounding mountainside.
All the action will be broadcast in English on TSN and in French RDS as well as internationally in more than 89 countries.
“Rally officials, volunteers and the City of Merritt, Chamber of Commerce and local businesses have collaborated to produce this extreme motorsports spectacle and I want to thank everyone for the past 10 years of dedication and support,” said Paul Westwick rally organizer. “PFR has earned its reputation as the premiere rally event in Western Canada through the skilled volunteers, superb organization and a rally course in the picturesque Nicola Valley that is respected for its challenging terrain by all drivers and crews,” added Westwick.
There will be plenty of opportunities to catch the teams in action both on the mountain roads and right in downtown Merritt. The event begins with a display of rally cars on Quilchena Ave on Friday Oct. 12, followed by the 5pm ceremonial start as the cars head off on their first stage. Local motorsport and classic car clubs have been invited to add to the festivities by displaying their vehicles. The rally and street displays resumes on Saturday morning when teams depart and return after each stage to the service paddock on Coutlee Ave in downtown Merritt and where later in the early evening the winners Champaign Splash will be held.
A special Rally for the Prize draw for a VIP package that includes a ride in a fast rally car will be held October 8th as part of the rally promotion. Rally fans can get details on how to enter online at www.pacificforestrally.com
The Pacific Forest Rally supports the work of the Abilitas Foundation www.abilitasfoundation.org and encourages all drivers and rally fans to support its fundraising drive for the sake of kids and adults with disabilities.
For more information and the latest updates about the event check out the website: www.pacificforestrally.com or contact Nicki Beverley 1 250 574 4363 nicki@shaw.ca
The Pacific Forest Rally is organized by the Westcoast Rally Association and is sanctioned by ASN Canada FIA and the Canadian Association of Rally Sports. The 2012 Pacific Forest Rally celebrates its 35 anniversary in B.C. and 10th running at the City of Merritt venue. The event has an economic impact of approximately $185,000 to the Nicola Valley area and is considered the premier rally event in Western Canada, with more than 30 rally teams competing.
For media information contact, Patrick Stewart 604 644 9067 pstewart@westerndriver.com