The Rallye International Vert de Montréal is a three day "green" rally covering a distance of 600 kilometres, challenging advanced technology vehicles to be as efficient as possible. The rally will be held September 30 to October 2 and include eco-friendly cars using alternative energy or fuel sources such as gasoline, electricity, propane, biofuel and diesel. Starting at the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit, the rally will take place against the backdrop of the fall landscapes of Lachute, South Shore, Boucherville and Downtown Montreal.
Toyota is the current leader in the hybrid category of the 2011 FIA Alternative Energies Cup Manufacturer's Cup, which makes its way around the world each year. The Montreal rally is the 8th international stop on the FIA Alternative Energies Cup calendar, and the only Canadian stop.
Sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'automobile (FIA) and its Canadian representative, the National Sporting Authority (ASN), this unique North American event is part of the Alternative Energies Cup, an FIA world championship that has been held in more than 10 countries over its five year history.
"We are back to defend our title and are confident in the quality of our vehicles and the drivers driving them," said Stephen Beatty, Managing Director and Chief Environmental Officer of Toyota Canada Inc. "No other advanced technology vehicle has the same proven experience as the Toyota Prius, with over 10 years on the road in Canada and over 3 million sold world-wide. We are confident that the Prius Plug-In is up to this eco-challenge again this year."
The Toyota Prius Plug-in builds on the unmatched environmental performance of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive platform while still offering the flexibility needed to meet the needs of drivers.
Raymond Durand will drive the Prius entry with navigator Christian Fine. Durand has won the FIA championship two years in a row and has won rallies in Monaco, San Marino, Belgium and Iceland.
Driving the Prius Plug-In Hybrid is Toyota Canada's Advanced Technology and Powertrain engineer Vinh Pham, with seasoned rally racer Peter Nytko as navigator also from Toyota Canada. Pham competes regularly with a Team Lexus IS300 in the Sigma Racing Time Attack Series and has engineered the Team Lexus GS450h to two Hybrid Class wins in the 2007 and 2008 Newfoundland Targa rallies.
The second Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be driven by Mathieu L'Estage and Yanick Napert, an experienced rally crew that has entered rally events over the last 10 years across Canada.
To follow blog posts, pictures and result updates on the Prius Plug-In during The Rallye visit the Toyota Canada Prius Plug-in Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/ToyotaCanadaPriusPlugin
For more information about the FIA's Alternative Energies Cup or Rallye International Vert de Montreal visit:
http://www.rallye-alternative.com/
http://www.fia.com/en-GB/sport/championships/Pages/alternative.aspx