If we turn back the clock twelve months, Craig Breen entered the Galway International Rally and embarked on a voyage that would take him to three Fiesta based championship titles, the National Junior Rally Championship Crown, Billy Coleman Award and International Fiesta Shootout Victory.
Story by Breen Racing
Pictures by www.rallyprint.com
2009 Highlights for Craig: “I think winning in Finland last year was a turning point. There were lots of quick drivers and to go there for the first time and win was a rare thing. Also the Pirelli Star Driver, considering the people I was up against. But I think the most obvious highlight was winning the Fiesta Shoot Out because it gave me the opportunity to work at M-Sport.”
Craig Breen Tarmac Test
Now a year on Craig takes the first step on the road of his second year of full time rallying and to help the young rally driver of the year he brings the all new Fiesta S2000 to the West of Ireland for the opening round of the 2010 Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
“I drove the new car at the Kirkbride Airfield, Cumbria just before we brought it home and the car was just awesome,” said Breen. “My first time to drive the car in anger was last Saturday morning in Co. Cork at the National Forestry Championship Test Day. The gravel test gave Gareth and I seat-time in the car. Tom [Tom Gahan] advised us not to make to many changes just drive the car; get to grips with the way it feels corning, under braking and at speed. We put about 70km up over the day and came away with a much better understanding of the handling.
“This set us up perfectly for our first tarmac test last Monday. From the start I could feel the potential. We tried out a combination of different settings; including springs, shocks and tyres. By the last run of the day we were delighted with our final setup. The power, stability and maneuverability of the car is unbelievable and I just can’t wait for the first stage in Galway.”
“Our goal this year is to compete in the Citroen Irish Tarmac Rally Championship here in Ireland, the MSA British Rally Championship and selected outings in the World Rally Championship. I know there will be a lot of pressure but all I can do is push on as I did last year.
“I’ve got a huge team behind me and I’m sure that will reflect in what I do this year. I love every minute of rallying and I’m hoping this is my year to pay back all the people that have supported me so far, including my family, friends, everyone in the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club and, of course, all my sponsors.”
“At the launch I was delighted to announce the team’s new sponsorship package for 2010. Over the Christmas period my P.R. team and I worked hard on putting a proposal together that would attract a major corporate sponsor. This work really paid off during the last few weeks and now I and the team are very privileged to have Kick Energy, Kel-Tech, Motorsport Ireland, Pirelli, Castrol and Suirway as partners for the 2010 season. It also gives me great pleasure to have Tom Gahan Motorsport on board again this year. By now Tom and the team are part of the family that makes up Craig Breen Rallying.”
“Now to next weekend, Galway comes first in the championship and can be one of the most difficult events of the season. I had a great result last year, finishing tenth overall and hopefully the debut of our new S2000 can bring us some luck. Weather conditions can be a lottery and is bound to play a big part but the team and I are very confident.”
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