The Eastern Canadian Rally Championship (ECRC) delivered another exhilarating weekend as young rally talent Vincent Lalande, a mere 16 years old, alongside his adept co-driver Amélie Bélanger, took a triumphant victory at the Rallye de Charlevoix. This marks Lalande’s third win of the season, propelling him to the top of the ECRC standings and leaving rally fans in awe of his skill and composure under pressure.
Set against the picturesque yet challenging landscape of La Malbaie with the iconic Manoir Richelieu serving as rally headquarters, this penultimate ECRC round unfolded over two days of competition and provided spectators with heart-pounding action. The excitement was palpable as the stages, ranging from high-speed asphalt runs through La Malbaie to gravel-laden forest roads in Clermont, tested drivers to their limits under unseasonably sunny skies.
A tumultuous battle for the lead
The rally began with intensity as Gabriel Monette and Alexandre St-Arnaud, piloting their Subaru WRX, took the lead during the opening stages. However, last year’s champions, Simon Vincent and his co-driver Hubert Gaudreau, quickly surged ahead, determined to defend their title. The Vincent-Gaudreau team appeared unstoppable until a dramatic puncture on Stage 4 cost them nearly seven minutes, a setback that would ultimately derail their campaign for victory.
Seizing the opportunity, Lalande and Bélanger demonstrated remarkable skill, taking the lead and maintaining it until the penultimate stage. However, their journey was far from smooth as veteran duo Sébastien Clark and Pat Lévesque briefly snatched the lead with their own impressive drive. Unfortunately, Clark and Lévesque’s rally was cut short by a mechanical issue early on Sunday, disqualifying them from the second day of the ECRC competition and effectively removing them from contention. This turn of events opened the door for Lalande and Bélanger to reclaim the top position.
Mastery beyond his years
What followed was a masterclass in young talent and expert navigation. Lalande, showing poise and control far beyond his years, navigated the remaining stages flawlessly. Co-driver Bélanger’s impeccable pacenote calls guided the duo through challenging sections with a precision that left even seasoned rally veterans impressed. By the rally’s end, Lalande and Bélanger crossed the finish line in first place, a staggering two minutes and 1.9 seconds ahead of the competition.
Following them in second place were Vincent Trudel and his co-driver, American Michelle Miller, who displayed grit and consistency over the two days of racing. This podium finish marks their second consecutive year securing a top-three position at the Rallye de Charlevoix, a testament to their dedication and adaptability on one of Canada’s most unpredictable rally stages.
Two-Wheel Drive Class dominance
In the two-wheel drive class, another impressive performance emerged. Quebec’s Nicolas Laverdière and French co-driver Nicolas Fouteret commanded the event with their Ford Fiesta, not only winning their category but also achieving a stellar fourth place overall. This dynamic duo outpaced several powerful four-wheel drive Subarus, proving that their teamwork and expertise could conquer even the most formidable four-wheel drive competitors.
Laverdière and Fouteret’s class victory and fourth-place overall finish place them ahead of rally heavyweights like Simon Vincent and Hubert Gaudreau, who recovered admirably from their early misfortunes to place well. Gabriel Monette and Alexandre St-Arnaud, who had an electrifying start, followed in the rankings along with other top drivers including Karianne Hubert with Éric Dubé, Patrick Richard with Caroline Moreau, and Jacob Moreau with Marie-France Desmarais-Trépanier.
For both Hubert and Moreau, this year’s Rallye de Charlevoix was a significant milestone. Hubert, also known for her role as the coordinator of the winter Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki, achieved her first Top 6 finish. Meanwhile, open-wheel racer Jacob Moreau, in his Rallye de Charlevoix debut, earned a commendable first finish in his rally career, marking the beginning of what many hope will be a promising trajectory in Canadian rallying.
Top finishers of the Rallye de Charlevoix
In the closing moments of the rally, veteran drivers Philippe Corbeil and co-driver Patrice Harvey (BMW) secured a place in the top 10, alongside John Hudon and Daniel Girard (Toyota Echo). These teams rounded out the two-wheel drive podium, finishing second and third, respectively, in their class, underscoring the depth of talent in the ECRC ranks this season. Of the 22 teams registered in the ECRC, 16 persevered through the grueling stages to reach the finish, a testament to the determination and resilience demanded by the Rallye de Charlevoix.
The rally also doubled as a stage in the Canadian Rally Championship and the North American Rally Cup. Here, the overall victory went to rally legends Antoine L’Estage, a 10-time Canadian rally champion, and his co-driver Alan Ockwell, who showcased their formidable skill in a Ford Fiesta Proto.
Onward to Tall Pines Rally
With one final round remaining in the 2024 ECRC season, all eyes now turn to Bancroft, Ontario, for the Tall Pines Rally on November 24. As Lalande sits atop the championship standings, anticipation builds to see if the young prodigy can hold onto his lead and secure the title. Given his remarkable performance in Charlevoix, Lalande and Bélanger will undoubtedly enter the season finale with momentum and confidence on their side.
For more details on the Eastern Canadian Rally Championship and upcoming events, visit ECRC’s official website.
Final Results
01: V. Lalande/A. Bélanger (Subaru Impreza WRX STI) – 1h 07m 02.6s
02: V. Trudel/M. Miller (Subaru WRX STI) + 2m 01.9s
03: N. Laverdiere/N. Fouteret (Ford Fiesta ST) + 2m 53.6s
04: S. Vincent/H. Gaudreau (Subaru Impreza) + 4m 33.6s
05: G. Monette/A. St-Arnaud (Subaru Impreza) + 9m 09.6s
06: K. Hubert/E. Dube (Subaru WRX STI) + 9m 57.0s
07: P. Richard/C. Moreau (Subaru WRX STI) + 11m 38.7s
08: J. Moreau/M-F. Desmarais (Subaru WRX STI) + 14m 49.0s
09: J. Hudon/D. Girard (Toyota Echo) + 15m 03.5s
10: P. Corbeil/P. Harvey (BMW 318 Ti) + 15m 46.6s3
