MLRC Forum - Print Page

MLRC Forum
https://www.mlrc.ca/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl
General >> Rally >> Repaired, ready and racy, Sprongl’s Suzuki returns
https://www.mlrc.ca/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1151647521

Message started by SWITCH on 06/30/6 at 01:05:21

Title: Repaired, ready and racy, Sprongl’s Suzuki returns
Post by SWITCH on 06/30/6 at 01:05:21

For immediate release

Repaired, ready and racy, Sprongl’s Suzuki returns to Baie

NEW RICHMOND, Quebec (June 28, 2006) – The defending class champion and Rallye Baie Des Chaleurs class winning Suzuki Swift + returns to one of the most challenging rally events in the schedule this week, complete with a new addition to the team and a new sponsor.

Brian Maxwell of Port Hope, Ontario, will step into the co-driver’s chair to replace regular co-driver Dan Sprongl, who is still recovering after a crash in a U.S. event early in June. Maxwell will sit beside driver Frank Sprongl for the assault on the mid-summer classic event. “Brian has a lot experience, and I trust Brian to replace me in the car.
Brian has co-driven for Frank in the past, winning the events they ran together.
His experience and co-driving skill will be an asset in one of the toughest rallies in the championship, says Dan.

Frank, Dan and Brian are determined to put the team back on track for a repeat win after a crash at the Rocky Mountain Rally last month. That mishap marks the first time the brilliant yellow Suzuki hasn’t finished an event under the Four Star Motorsports banner.

Last year, the team of driver Frank and co-driver Dan Sprongl were just coming to terms with the agile yellow Suzuki they drove as part of a two-car Suzuki Canada assault on the P2 production class in the 2005 Canadian Rally Championship. In what was their second event in the car, the pair won their class and finished seventh overall against a field full of high-horsepower, all-wheel drive cars. It was a satisfying finish.

This year, with a full season behind the wheel of the diminutive Swift +, the team arrives in New Richmond for the third round of the national title chase with much more confidence in their car and in their ability to get the most out of it. They’ll employ a new strategy, too: The early stages will be a little less aggressive than the past rallies. Instead, they will concentrate on consistency and a solid finish.

Baie is a tough, fast event, explains Frank. It puts a premium on horsepower, so we aren’t as competitive in the overall field as we might be somewhere else. But it also suits the Suzuki’s handling and we have shown we can surprise a lot of people. The pair won their class and claimed third place overall in an electrifying performance at the season’s first event, the Rallye Perce Neige in February.

We also have some very welcome support from Hankook Tire (Canada) Inc., who will outfit us with their Ventus R201 rally tires. We know this will help us to be more competitive,” adds Daniel. “Tires are critical in a rally like Baie, the heat is intense and tire choice will be key. The Hankook R201 will be an excellent tire for the conditions at Baie.

Four Star Motorsports, of Georgetown, Ontario, is Canada’s leading rally preparation shop. The company builds and maintains some of the most successful cars in national, international and regional competition. With design, fabrication, dynamometer testing and engine management facilities, it serves individual and corporate customers in Canada and provides specialty parts to street and competition customers around the world.

The Suzuki Team Canada rally car is also supported by Ontario Competition Fuels, Hidja Instruments and The Wheel Fix.

###

For more information contact:
Daniel Sprongl (905)877-1733