2010 American rally champions Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard are looking at a long, dusty road to recover from a flat tire that finds them in fifth place at the Olympus Rally in Washington this weekend. It's the last event in the 2012 American championship.

L'Estage and Richard are the two-time defending Canadian rally champions where they have a substantial lead in the 2012 championship. Their next event is three weeks away at the Pacific Forest Rally in Merritt, British Columbia. Still, this event was supposed to be a strong test among the best rally drivers in North America. After the flat on SS4, L'Estage and Richard trail Olympus Rally leaders Ken Block and co-driver Alex Gelsomino by 4 minutes 40.3 seconds.

Dry conditions outside Olympia, Washington have the rally this year running under a strange schedule. Most of Saturday afternoon will be spent in a break with SS5 not scheduled to start until nearly 7pm Pacific time.

Listen to what L'Estage said: CLICK HERE