Bangor, Maine -- Last Ditch Racing gained seven positions to finish 22 overall in the FIA sanctioned Rallye International de Quebec this past weekend. The team finished third of the seed 5 drivers.

The rally was the most intensive effort for the four year old team yet, with one day of recce and pace note creation, and two full days of racing combined with extremely long transits. The team was one of only 23 finishing teams out of a starting field of 38 National entries.

Last Ditch Racing was entered in the Open class, which included Subaru and Mitsubishi factory teams and an ex-factory Hyundai entry. "Our car isn't really an Open car mechanically," said Cassidy. We have a stock engine and gearbox with open differentials. With sponsorship help, we hope to continually develop the car into something more competitive."

Driver John Cassidy and Co-Driver Dave Getchell enjoyed the event and only broke out the shovels twice. Said Cassidy, "I was hoping to not put us in a position to have to get out the shovels, but as the day wore on and temperatures dropped, the conditions became more slippery. We simply understeered off the road." The team was pulled out by other teams, namely the two Subaru Justy teams. "That's the spirit of the event," said Cassidy. "You pull someone out and someone else pulls you out. Half the field wouldn't have finished without their tow straps!"

The Last Ditch Racing equipe de service performed well in the cold conditions, keeping the car, "Steel Tulip," fresh and ready for Cassidy and Getchell to attack the stages. The team and the crew look forward to their next event, the STPR rally in Pennsylvania in June.

Last Ditch Racing thanks their sponsors: www.subaruwrxparts.com, www.primmracing.com, www.i-speedusa.com, www.rallyperformance.com and AMSOIL synthetic lubricants(www.lubedealers.com/cassidy.html).

For further information on the team, visit our website at www.lastditchracing.net or e-mail [email protected]