In Short

The Perce-Neige was a navigational rally during its first decade under CASLL, Club Autos Sport La Licorne. It was part of the Quebec regional championship and became a performance event in 1975, slowly migrating towards less populated areas to allow for the closing of roads.            

From 1979 to 1993, the Perce-Neige was held in the Maniwaki Region. Some restrictions forced its cancellation in 1994, causing it move to Pembroke, Ontario and even using some roads ot the Petawawa military site.in 1995.

But in 2000, following the same restrictions in the Pontiac region, and thanks to legal changes as well as a renewed collaboration with the Maniwaki region, the Perce-Neige came back to Maniwaki where it quickly found its marks again.

In Maniwaki, Kitigan Zibi native territory and the Upper Gatineau region to stay, the event is staged downtown and many roads become spectator stages. Perce-Neige de Maniwaki celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015 and the whole community is getting involved. 2017 remains a landmark when the American Rally Association held its first ever event in Maniwaki. By 2019, the organizing committee is composed mainly of people from Maniwaki. Long live Perce-Neige !

Perce-Neige History

1965 to 1967

The Perce-Neige was created by the Club Autos Sport La Licorne in Montreal. From its inception, it was a navigational event that was run in the Lower Laurentians and the Lanaudiere regions.

1968

Becomes part of the Quebec Regional Rally Championship.

1973 to 1975

Held as a regional event for two years, it became the first National Rally Championship of Canada with the closed road format and timing to the second. From Laval, it unfolds in the Laurentians and the Ottawa Valley Region.

Coordinator:

1976 and 1977

After a one-year return as a regional level, the event is run in the Lachute area, starting in Sainte-Agathe.

Coordinator: Jean Chevarier for the first time and the next decades

Reinstalled in the National Championship for 1977, the Perce-Neige is now too big an event for the Lachute area, fast developing as a country destination. It must move but a running around Maniwaki proves unsuccessful.

1978

Starting from Montreal ( in fact Boucherville because no hotel was big enough in the Lanaudière Region) and relocated around Saint-Michel-des-Saints for a first experience on forest roads up to Manouane native Territory. Temperature encountered was blistering cold (as low as –50°C).

1979

Relocated in Maniwaki because of insufficient accommodation and a far too stretched road network.
Maniwaki! What a discovery! Numerous forest roads with minimum safety blocks; long dreamy stages in perfect sequence; exceptional collaboration from the C.I.P., a forest logging company offering access to its camps as well as road maintenance. The population is also enthusiastic and supportive. A nest was found. The special stages quickly become classics in the sport (Pointe-à-David and its “Monza” banked S bend, the “Night of the CIP” and also 200 km of forest stages. It is the White Adventure, a challenge for the organizers as well as competitors. A fabulous decade lies ahead.

1980

The Perce-Neige is now a non-profit company.  Jean Chevarier is president and Denyse Moisan the secretary. The event covers the whole region with 360 km of stages! But the bad news is the blue ice covered roads following a rainy month of January.

1981 to 1983

Since 1979, the event was articulated around Camp des Chutes high in the Upper Gatineau Region. Everything is organized there: service area, meals, resting place for mechanics with TV and pool table! The Perce-Neige establishes its reputation as the best winter forest rally. Champion Jean-Paul Pérusse even said: “The roads are better than those in the Swedish Rally”.

1984 and 1985

The Pensive Camp located 135 km North of Maniwaki becomes the hub of the event, right in the middle of a network of outstanding stages. Two years in a row this 600 km rally finishes on time.

1986

Becomes part of the North American Rally Cup.

1987

Becomes part of the Ontario Championship.

1988

Tenth year in Maniwaki. All-time entry record with 52 entries. Tom O’Connor, the only American having competed in all Perce-Neige editions in Maniwaki, gives his name to a trophy to be awarded to the best American driver entering for the first time.

1989 to 1993

A period during which the C.I.P. gradually withdraws from forest operations, thus depriving the event of its camps and, subsequently, of its roads. The forest course has to move south in the Maniwaki ZEC (controlled zones) territories. “Pointe-à-David” stage is run for the last time in 1991.

1994

Event is cancelled because of new restrictions such as the ban on car racing in controlled zones (ZEC).

1995 to 1999

Relocated in Pembroke on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. The event spreads in the Pontiac Region with a few stages held in the Petawawa military base roads. The 1998 radial ice storm forces cancellation. In 1999, TV coverage is introduced.

2000

Back in Maniwaki following the closing of camps and roads in the Pontiac. The law on controlled zones (ZEC) has been modified and the event is now authorized to be run in these areas. For the third time the event is faultless and finishes on time.

2001

Renamed Rallye Perce-Neige de Maniwaki, the event is won for the first time by a drived born in the region, Sylvain Erickson.

2002

The 1988 record is beaten with 63 entries. A local committee is formed to support the event.

2003

Organizer retires, Jean Chevarier is replaced by his son Jean-Philippe Chevarier and Denyse Moisan,.

2004

New organizer has to retire. Previous organizer tries to replace, but suffered a broken leg and cannot attend. Denyse Moisan takes over,

2005

Perce-Neige’s 40th Anniversary. Last event for Jean Chevarier.

2006

Denyse Moisan, becomes the new coordinator. Pace notes are introduced.

2007

Big camp fire at the Pythonga stage.

2011

First Shakedown at Perce-Neige

2012

A new team takes charge of the event, headed by Patrick Rainville, Sylvain Erickson and 

2015

50th running of the Rallye Perce-Neige. organizes an historic TSD night rally between Lachute and Maniwaki with veterans teams attending, among them Jean-Paul Pérusse and Bo Skoronnek.

2017

 

2019

Perce-neige becomes the first ever round of the American Rally Association (ARA) and welcomes American champion David Higgins and motorsports icon Travis Patrana.

A local committee headed by Luc Martel as coordinator and Éric Morin, president of newly formed Club Rallye Maniwaki takes charge of Perce-Neige

2021

2022

Perce-Neige is cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic

The local team is now headed by Karianne Hubert, a business woman issued from a Maniwaki founding family, Patrick Rainville is the event manager.

 

Coordinators

  •   : 1973 to 1975
  • Jean Chevarier : 1976 to 2002, 2004 & 2005
  • Jean-Philippe Chevarier : 2003
  • Denyse Moisan : 2005 (co-coordinator)
  • Michel Perreault : 2005 (co-coordinator)
  • Denyse Moisan : 2006 to 2010
  • Terry Epp : 2011 (co-coordinator)
  • Patrick Rainville : 2012 to 2018
  • Luc Martel and Éric Morin : 2019 and 2020
  • Karianne Hubert : 2022

Rallymaster / Clerk of the Course

  •  , Alain Contant : 1973 and 1974
  • Louis Bélanger : 1975 to 1977
  • André Larivière : 1978
  • Pierre Doyon : 1979
  • Mario Collin : 1980 to 1986 & 1988 to 1999
  • Philippe Dubé : 1987, 2000, 2001 & 2003
  • Serge Boisvert : 2002
  • Philippe Corbeil : 2004, 2005
  • Patrick & Pierre-Marc Paradis : 2006 to 2009
  • Ross Wood, Terry Epp, Hector Hubert, Pierre-Marc Paradis: 2010
  • Ross Wood, Sylvain Erickson, Hector Hubert, Patrick Rainville2011
  • Sylvain Erickson et Hector Hubert : 2012 to 2014
  • Cédric Tanguay : 2015 to 2020
  • Patrick Rainville : 2022

Winners

  • 1975: Jean-Paul Pérusse / Lee Bartholomew (Fiat 124)
  • 1976: Jocelyn Beaulieu / M-Paul Raymond (Toyota) (Québec Cup only / studs)
  • 1977: Walter Boyce / Doug Woods (Toyota Corolla)
  • 1978: Bo Skowwronnek / Catherine Skowronnek (Datsun 200 SX)
  • 1979: Taisto Heinonen / Tom Burgess (Toyota Celica)
  • 1980: Taisto Heinonen / Tom Burgess (Toyota Celica)
  • 1981: Taisto Heinonen / Tom Burgess (Toyota Corolla)
  • 1982: Taisto Heinonen / Martin Headland (Toyota Corolla)
  • 1983: Randy Black / Tom Burgess (Datsun 510)
  • 1984: Alain Bergeron / Marie- Thérèse Rousseau (Toyota Corolla GTS)
  • 1985: André Normandin /Louis Bélanger (Toyota Corolla GTS)
  • 1986: John Buffum / Tom Grimshaw (Audi Quattro)
  • 1987: John Buffum / Paul Choinière (Audi Quattro)
  • 1988: Alain Bergeron / Raymond Cadieux (Toyota Celica)
  • 1989: John Buffum / Tom Grimshaw (Audi Quattro)
  • 1990: Thierry Ménégoz / Louis Bélanger (Subaru XT)
  • 1991: Paul Choinière / Dan Nerber (Audi Quattro)
  • 1992:   / Pierre Racine (Eagle Talon)
  • 1993: Yves Barbe / BGilles Lacroix (Eagle Talon)
  • 1995: Frank Sprongl / Dan Sprongl (Audi Quattro)
  • 1996: Carl Merrill / John Bellefleur (Ford Cosworth 95)
  • 1997: Carl Merrill / Lance Smith (Ford Cosworth 95)
  • 1999: Frank Sprongl / Dan Sprongl (Audi Quattro)
  • 2000: Tom McGeer / Mark Williams (Subaru WRX STI)
  • 2001: Sylvain Erickson / Philip Erickson (Mitsubishi Evo IV)
  • 2002: Patrick Richard / Ian McCurdy (Subaru WRX STI)
  • 2003: Sylvain Erickson / Philip Erickson (Mitsubishi Evo IV)
  • 2004: Patrick Richard / Christian Edstrom (Subaru WRX STI)
  • 2005: Peter Thompson / Rod Hendricksen (Subaru WRX STI)
  • 2006: Antoine L’Estage / Mark Williams (Hyundai Tiburon)
  • 2007: Adrew-Comrie-Picard / Mark Goldfarb (Mitsubishi Evo IX)
  • 2008: Antoine L'Estage / Nathalie Richard (Hyundai Tiburon)
  • 2009: Antoine L'Estage / Nathalie Richard (Mitsubishi Evo X)
  • 2010: Bruno Carré / Yvon Joyal (Subaru WRX STi)
  • 2011: Antoine L'Estage / Nathalie Richard (Mitsubishi Evo X)
  • 2012: Antoine L'Estage / Nathalie Richard (Mitsubishi Evo X)
  • 2013: Patrick Richard / Fagg (Subaru STI)
  • 2014: Antoine L'Estage / John Hall (Mitsubishi Evo X)
  • 2015: Antoine L'Estage / Alan Ockwell (Subaru STI)
  • 2016: Maxime Labrie / Robert Labrie (Subaru WRX)
  • 2017: David Higgins / Craig Drew ( Subaru WRX STi)
  • 2018: Karel Carré / Samuel Joyal (Subaru WRX Sti)
  • 2019: Antoine L'Estage / Alan Ockwell (Subaru WRXSTi)
  • 2020: Karel Carré / Samuel Joyal (Subaru WRX STi)
  • 2021: Canceled event
  • 2022: Jérome Mailloux / Philippe Poirier