Rallye Perce-Neige de Maniwaki turns international

The best rally teams for all over North America will meet to compete in this event held in Quebec. Based in Maniwaki since the late 70s and held on the Upper Gatineau road network, the 52nd running of Perce-Neige will be staged on February 3rd and 4th and was chosen for the quality of its organisation.

“This shows a lot of recognition for our event,” claims Patrick Rainville, the event coordinator. “First for the quality of our organisation and the hundreds of volunteers that established the reputation of Perce-Neige. Then towards the municipalities of the Upper Gatineau, the Forêt de l’Aigle and Kitigan Zibi whose roads are among the most competitive in North America. We want to offer a flawless event, always a challenge in winter, in order to become a permanent fix for both championships.”

Teams from Canada and the United States

On top of the thirty plus teams that generally enter the event, more then twenty teams will cross the border to attend. A new rally authority was formed lately and regrouped the top five major events in the United States and Rallye Perce-Neige under the same umbrella.

This means that the top teams are sure to enter: returning champions Antoine L’Estage and David Higgins will direly fight for the top spot on the podium, along with motocross icon and X-Games winner Travis Pastrana. "Crazy Leo” Urlichich will also be competing. Never before has Perce-Neige starting grid been so competitive.

The show starts on February 4th

Thousands of fans are expected to fill the spectator areas in the speed stages on Saturday, February 4th. Information will be available in the central mall of the Galeries de Maniwaki shopping centre and the event web site at www.rallyeperceneige.com. Free shuttle buses will be available for spectators. Ceremonial start is set to take place at 8:30am in the morning and arrival is expected at 9pm.