Bocholt, Belgium -- Canadian Rally Champion Patrick Richard will be competing today in the Sezoens Rally in Bocholt, Belgium. This event will provide Patrick and Subaru Rally Team Canada with valuable experience and testing time on asphalt roads in preparation for the ADAC Rallye Deutschland in July.

The ADAC Rallye Deutschland is the 8th leg of the World Rally Championship and is notorious for its all-asphalt stages. The stages are very different to anything else on the WRC calendar. The fast nature of the asphalt roads can be exacerbated by numerous stones and occasional rain showers. This adds up to unique conditions and grip levels that can lead even experienced drivers into trouble.

Patrick and Subaru Rally Team Canada are more used to the gravel roads of the North American championships, and will be taking advantage of the Sezoens Rally this weekend to gain further experience on tarmac and complete tests on the car.

The Sezoens Rally is a D2 (division 2) event of the Belgian Championship. It is a compact rally, with only 3 different stages (each repeated 3 times.) There are 60 cars entered in the D2 event and 100 in the regional event so there will be plenty of competition for Patrick and the team.

Patrick will be returning to Canada next week in preparation for the fifth leg of the Canadian Rally Championship at the Pacific Forrest Rally in Merritt, BC on 13th and 14th June. Patrick's next WRC event is at Limassol, Cyprus on the 20th June.

For further information about Patrick Richard go to: http://www.patrickrichard.com

Press inquiries: Tim Gage
timgage@patrickrichard.com
604 737 2531