Fourth Annual Quebec Air Rally Gets Underway In July

One thing the folks who organize the Annual Quebec Air Rally want to make perfectly clear: The International Air Rally is not a race. It's a challenge.

The rally runs nine days and eight nights with winners recognized for their navigation skills and general knowledge (mechanic, survival, first aid). The most efficient and complete team will be rewarded, not the fastest. Each team is composed of a minimum of two participants. There are no restrictions as to which kind of electronic navigation equipment can be used by the teams.

VFR teams will perform 6 legs. IFR registered teams will perform two additional legs. Each leg will bear the name of the daily destination or "Hosting City."

Competitions will be arranged in each Hosting City to bring out the particularities of the region and winners will receive Hosting City honors. After each leg, the total of accumulated points will designate the winner of the particular leg. The winning team will receive a $1,500 CDN prize and a Hosting City Award delivered by a City or Community official during each evening reception.

"From the beautiful coast of the Province of New Brunswick to the charming French culture of Gaspesie! A visit to our Innu friends (fishing anyone?) and down the St-Lawrence River to the Eastern Townships (Quebec’s Prime Minister home town!)," says an email sent out by the rally committee. "Discover the mining land of North West Quebec in the Bay James region and believe it or not the source of the best water in the world in Amos, Abitibi before penetrating the secret world of the Canadian Military defense during a secret Mission in North Bay" (By the way, if you want to get into the Canadian NORAD facility, you'll need to register early in order to get proper security tags). This visit is exclusively reserved to the 2004 Air Rally participants.

After a first class reception at the Angus Glen Golf Course in the lovely Town of Markham (Toronto vicinity) participants will fly over the beautiful Thousand Island region before reaching their final destination in the Montreal vicinity. Ambassador Captain Robert Piche and Canadian Hockey legend Guy Lafleur will deliver the trophies and some unexpected prizes.

FMI: www.airjourney.com