Four-time Canadian Rally Champion Pat Richard missed the Rallye Auto Baie-des-Chaleurs in June and has announced today his retirement from the sport.
On his Facebook page, Patrick wrote: “Yes, I have to retire from competitive driving.
“I have a serious neurological illness believed to have been caused by a series of head injuries. Although I am now out of the hospital after a two-month stay, I am mostly confined to my home. I'm hopeful I'll recover fully but it's really unlikely I'll be driving competitively again.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make but it's for the best. Huge thanks to Subaru Canada for an entire career's worth of support, to the well-respected and hard-working posse at Rocket Rally, and to everyone involved in the sport -- you guys have all made it a great ride!
“Subaru Rally Team Canada and the Rocket Rally crew will most definitely be at Rallye Defi; though I won't be driving I'm still involved with the team and I'll be supporting them from a distance.
“I hope to get to a rally soon to start my new career as most annoying know-it-all service crew guy ever”.
On his Facebook page, Patrick wrote: “Yes, I have to retire from competitive driving.
“I have a serious neurological illness believed to have been caused by a series of head injuries. Although I am now out of the hospital after a two-month stay, I am mostly confined to my home. I'm hopeful I'll recover fully but it's really unlikely I'll be driving competitively again.
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| Pat Richard, Subaru Impreza WRX STI (Photo: René Fagnan) |
“This has been a very difficult decision to make but it's for the best. Huge thanks to Subaru Canada for an entire career's worth of support, to the well-respected and hard-working posse at Rocket Rally, and to everyone involved in the sport -- you guys have all made it a great ride!
“Subaru Rally Team Canada and the Rocket Rally crew will most definitely be at Rallye Defi; though I won't be driving I'm still involved with the team and I'll be supporting them from a distance.
“I hope to get to a rally soon to start my new career as most annoying know-it-all service crew guy ever”.