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Subaru Rally Team Canada (SRTC) experienced quite an eventful start to Targa Newfoundland 2009 yet came away with successful results.
Although Subaru's race-prepared Impreza WRX STI was involved in a minor mishap prior to the race, the team came together and worked around the clock to get it back on the road in time for the race. Automotive journalist Marc Lachapelle was in the driver's seat and SRTC head mechanic Stewart Hoo was in the co-driver's seat for the first time ever (a last-minute replacement for original co-driver Keith Townsend). With a little coaching from Townsend, Lachapelle and Hoo crossed the finish line second in their class in the Modern division.
"Stewart and I were truly elated while carefully driving into St. John's for the official finish on the Harbour," said Marc Lachapelle. "I thanked him repeatedly for the numerous miracles he and his service team performed to keep us in the rally, and for the outstanding job he did as a co-driver, jumping in cold, on the morning of Leg One."
Lachapelle also credited Townsend's "extensive rally experience and his keen knowledge of Targa itself" with keeping the team competitive, especially when rain made the roads slick and treacherous.
Lachapelle and Hoo also claimed the 2009 Churchill Motorsports International Team Trophy, alongside the teams of Sprongl/Hendrickson and Buchanan/Adams. SRTC also received the Rick Stryjski Outstanding Service Crew Award, given to the service crew that's done the most to help fellow competitors stay in the rally.
Targa Newfoundland is the only event of its kind to be held in North America and has been thrilling drivers and audiences alike since 2002. Over the course of five days every September, enthusiastic entrants raced against the clock in a 2,200-kilometre tarmac rally that covers much of the central and eastern portion of the province.
Visit http://www.targanewfoundland.com to learn more.
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