L’Estage Wins NEFR and National Championship
Rally America



Photo credit: Lori Lass

Newry, Maine --The 2010 New England Forest Rally (NEFR), the sixth and final round of the 2010 Rally America National Championship, ended with spectacular drama that kept fans and competitors riveted. Once the champagne popped, it was Rockstar Energy Drink’s Canadian duo, driver Antoine L’Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard, celebrating a New England Forest Rally victory and their claim to the 2010 Rally America Championship title.

Heading into NEFR, L’Estage held a 13-point lead over Nashua, N.H.'s hometown favorite, Bill Bacon. Both had a shot of winning the Championship at NEFR, but L’Estage just needed to finish 5th place or better to cement his place at the top. Bacon fell back after a changing a flat tire on Stage 9 and lost 5 minutes to the event leader.

L’Estage’s weekend almost ended abruptly when his car experienced turbo failure, which dropped him from 2nd to 5th overall. On the verge of losing the Championship L’Estage dug deep and advanced back into 2nd place until NEFR rally leader, Subaru Rally Team USA’s Travis Pastrana, lost oil on Stage 11 and failed to finish. L’Estage gained the lead and held on for the win.

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