The Canadian Rally Championship makes its annual pit stop in Merritt this weekend for the 2013 Pacific Forest Rally (PFR).

Car and driver teams from across North America will converge on the Nicola Valley to compete in eight challenging stages on the backroads surrounding the city.

The 11th annual Pacific Forest Rally officially begins on Thursday evening with a display of the rally cars at the corner of Merritt Ave. and Voght St. in the parking lot adjacent to the Merritt curling rink and the Baillie House.

There will be a second display of the cars along Granite Avenue on Friday at 4 p.m., followed by a ceremonial start at 5:30 p.m. leading into the first two stages of actual racing.

Patrick ‘Rocket’ Richard. Photo courtesy of Rocket Rally Racing

Patrick ‘Rocket’ Richard. Photo courtesy of Rocket Rally Racing

The rally resumes on Saturday morning with teams departing from and returning to the service paddock at the Wagon West Travel Plaza up by Wal-Mart throughout the day.

There will be plenty of opportunities for the public to catch the rally teams in action, both in town and out on the area’s mountain roads. Some of the best vantage points are detailed on the maps below.

A special Rally for the Prize draw is being held, with a VIP package that includes a ride in a fast rally car. Listen to Q101 radio for details and daily opportunities to enter the contest.

Free, comprehensive spectator guides can be picked up at the Merritt Chamber of Commerce, Ramada Hotel, Boston Pizza and the Middlesboro Pub.

Look for more information and coverage of the 2013 Pacific Forest Rally in Thursday’s Merritt Herald.

Leader of the pack

Four-time Canadian National Rally Champion Patrick ‘Rocket’ Richard from Squamish holds an 11-point lead over 2012 Pacific Forest Rally winner Antoine L’Estage from Quebec going into this weekend’s PFR in Merritt.