NOS Energy Mitsubishi and Team ACP finish second overall in challenging Rocky Mountain Rally, now head to US for next round

ACP Rally Mitsubishi Evolution X powered by AMS built 4b11 engine — ACP Rally Mitsubishi Evolution X powered by an AMS built 4b11 engine

Rally driver Andrew ACP Comrie-Picard took a second-place finish at Round 2 of the Canadian Rally Championship over the weekend and is now set to return to U.S. competition in Pennsylvania in a few days.

Comrie-Picard and co-driver Robbie Durant took their new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to the Rocky Mountain Rally, based in Calgary, Alberta, for the high-speed May 29-30 event.

It was an intense two days of competition, especially with the gravel debut of the new car said Comrie-Picard. The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a strong platform and were working to improve its performance with every event. The Evo X will be more and more competitive through the year.

The new car is under development this season in Canada, while the team continues its aggressive campaign in their 2007 NOS Energy Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX south of the border.

In addition to the rally, the team welcomed key partners, including a number of local Yokohama Tire dealers, for ride-along sessions the day before the event giving their supporters the ride of a lifetime on a gravel course east of Calgary.

Special thanks to Calgarys Platinum Mitsubishi for hosting the team at the dealership during the contest.

The result brings the team into third overall in the Canadian championship. Subaru Rally Team Canada driver Pat Richard and Rockstar Energys Antoine LEstage are tied for the lead with one win and one DNF apiece after the opening two rounds.

We had some luck on our side this weekend that allowed us to podium despite some inevitable teething trouble with the new car, said Comrie-Picard. It was an excellent learning event for us and now we know what well be working on before the next Canadian round.

Meanwhile, Comrie-Picard is narrowly in third-place overall after five rounds in the Rally America championship, behind Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana and Rockstar Energys Tanner Foust.

The Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally is close to home for us and we know it well, said Comrie-Picard. Were looking forward to resuming our US championship campaign as well as facing off against some series newcomers.

The event is expected to feature the American rally debut of Swedish World Rally competitors Patrik Sandell and Emil Axelsson, and Freestyle motocross champion Brian Deegan — winner of 11 X Games medals.

The Susquehannock Trail event has long been known as one of the most demanding events on the U.S. calendar. The 2009 running of the contest features a return to the popular two-day format, with a spectator-friendly daylight schedule and super special stages on each day.

Teams will take on over 100 miles of competitive stages this coming weekend (June 5-6) on a tricky course thats fast-paced, yet technical. Narrow but very fast roads, with the potential for slick mud if wet, translate to plenty of challenges for competitors.

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