Subaru's Richard tops the podium at Baie des Chaleurs

Subaru claims top six places as entrants battle tough course.

TORONTO, July 5 /CNW/ - It was a dramatic finish for Subaru Rally Team Canada driver Patrick Richard and co-driver Alan Ockwell, who literally crossed the finish line in flames after rolling their Subaru less than five kilometres from the end. Fortunately the team had built up a significant lead right from the first stage, so the time lost to the crash wasn't enough to drop them out of first position.

Leo Urlichich and Chrissie Beavis finished a comfortable second place, and third place was claimed by Bruno Carre, current points leader in the Canadian Driver's Championship, and co-driver Yvan Joyal.

"It's embarrassing to admit but I lost concentration, clipped the inside of a corner and rolled the car-fortunately the Impreza ended up on its wheels," said Richard. "The car is a mess-it's a real tribute to Subaru toughness that we were able to finish the race at all."

Craig Henderson and Lyne Murphy finished fourth, and Ugo Desgreniers and Eric Kirby finished in fifth. Antoine L'Estage took sixth place-driving in a Subaru loaned to him by Leo Urlichich after a driveline problem sidelined L'Estage's Mitsubishi before the race even began. The points earned places Subaru in the lead of the Canadian Manufacturer's Championship.

The Subaru Canada Rally Team is sponsored by Sirius Satellite Radio, Yokohama Tires and Gulf Oil.

The next event in the Canadian Association of Rallysport's Canadian Rally Championship is the Rallye Defi which takes place near Ste. Agathe, north of Montreal, September 10 and 11.

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