The 2024 Rally of the Tall Pines delivered unforgettable moments with over 170 km of competitive stages pushing teams to their limits. Despite a dry rally day, mechanical issues sidelined top contenders like Mailloux/Poirier and L’Estage/Ockwell. Jean-Sébastien Besner and Yvan Joyal capitalized, taking the overall win in their Ford Fiesta R5. Meanwhile, Max McRae and Cameron Fair stunned with a 2WD Peugeot 208 Rally4, finishing 2nd overall with multiple stage wins. Local heroes Jonathan Drake and Ian Lantz rounded out the podium, while strong performances from the Leblanc Brothers and Karianne Hubert added to the event’s excitement.
The Rocky Mountain Rally, held last weekend near Invermere, British Columbia, proved to be a grueling test of skill, endurance, and strategy for the 21 participating teams. Nestled in the breathtaking yet challenging terrain of the Canadian Rockies, the rally featured a series of dramatic turns in the mountains, as teams fought for victory and valuable championship points.
With a stacked field of previous National Champions, international talent, and top level competitors, the 2024 edition of Rallye Perce Neige Maniwaki kicked off the 2024 Canadian Rally Championship in style. With an unusually warm winter, the roads were a mix of dry tarmac and ice-covered gravel, leaving no room for error. New for 2024 was a two-day format, featuring over 260km of competitive stages.
The final round of the 2023 Canadian Rally Championship convened at its traditional location at Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, BC. Recent snow ensured a slippery and snowy event, but the lack of significant snowbanks would catch a few teams out over the course of the weekend.
Known as the toughest day in Canadian Rallying, the 2023 Lincoln Electric Rally of the Tall Pines in Bancroft, ON, lived up to its storied reputation. Never has the old adage “winter roads, summer ditches” been more appropriate. A combination of smooth roads and a pre-event flash freeze made the high-speed, jump filled stages a skating rink, testing the skills and bravery of all 26 teams entered in the sixth round of the Canadian Rally Championship. The championship saw its sixth different winner in as many races, showcasing the depth of the competition this season.
The beautiful autumn waterfront scenery in La Malbaie, QC, represented a stark contrast to the attrition-riddled grind that was Rallye de Charlevoix, round five of the 2023 Canadian Rally Championship. Challenging roads combined with heavy rain made it a game of survival for most of the 36 teams entered in the weekend-long event. Throw in some high-speed tarmac sections and hundreds of fans cheering for courage, and surprise results were guaranteed.
Masters of risk management, Jean-Sebastien Besner and Yvan Joyal knew where to push and where to play it safe. They leveraged the speed and reliability of their new Fiesta to good effect, running a completely drama-free event from start to finish.
The teams of the Canadian Rally Championship were joined by Mexican teams from the NACAM Championship to bring the heat to New Richmond, Quebec at Rallye Baie des Chaleurs. Celebrating it’s 45th Edition in 2023 with almost fifty entries, the third round of the Canadian Rally Championship presented a classic combination of challenging roads, humid weather, changing conditions, and plenty of attrition. The legendary Camp Brulé and Saut Du 5 spectator areas were packed with fans to watch it all go down despite frequent rain showers.
The Canadian Rally Championship returned to action at the 50th anniversary of Rocky Mountain Rally, round 2 of the 2023 championship. After the most recent editions were hosted in Alberta, the rally made a popular return to the Columbia Valley, British Columbia. The later calendar date meant the teams faced hot temperatures and dusty, rough roads.
A deep polar airmass brought extreme cold temperatures to Maniwaki, Quebec the night before the start of the 2023 Canadian Rally Championship at Rallye Perce Neige. Undeterred by temperatures hovering near -40C, 28 teams took to stages presenting a mix of hard-packed snow and ice. Hearty fans were waiting out in the woods to cheer them on.