Breen’s flying start to SWRC title quest

WATERFORD’S Craig Breen (Fiesta S2000) made the best possible start to his SWRC title challenge with a category victory in the Monte Carlo Rally that was won by Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb.

Breen capitalised on the late retirement of Sweden’s, PG Andersson (Proton Satria) to win the S2000 section.

Meanwhile, Loeb took a comfortable victory over Dani Sordo (MINI WRC), who managed to keep Petter Solberg (Fiesta WRC) at bay for the runner–up spot.

With Loeb (Citroen DS3) virtually out of sight, the battle for second was the key element during Saturday’s four stages that included two passes over the legendary Col de Turini.

Having lost significant time on Friday, Petter Solberg (Fiesta WRC) and his Irish co-driver, Chris Patterson began the day trying to protect third spot from a charging Mikko Hirvonen (Citroen DS3). In contrast to Friday’s icy, foggy and rain-soaked roads, the conditions were mostly dry and clear.

On the day’s opening stage, Hirvonen was quickest with Solberg 1.7 seconds behind in second. Solberg gave a great display on the Col de Turini, winning the stage in a time that was 8.4 seconds ahead of both rally leader, Sebastien Loeb and Hirvonen.

Solberg continued to dominate and by the completion of S.S. 16 and with another fastest time, moved 44 seconds ahead of Hirvonen.

Meanwhile, he was also making inroads to Sordo’s second place, the margin between them was down to 30.8 seconds. Solberg also set the pace on the night stage and closed the margin to Sordo to 19.1 seconds. Solberg said, “This has been my best day in a car since 2004. I never dreamed of having a car as good as this, and to be able to attack on the stages like I have today is unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, Sordo remarked: “I am quite satisfied because we are still in second place, but to be honest I am not really happy today as I lost a lot of time to Petter (Solberg). He was pushing really, really hard in the first two stages and took 25 or 26 seconds off me, which is a lot.”

With the retirement of PG Andersson (Proton Satria) on the final stage on Saturday, Craig Breen moved into the lead of the S2000 category and he went on to guide his Kel-Tech Fiesta WRC to a category win.

At the finish he said: “I’m just delighted and so happy with this victory. We came here with a plan and it’s worked perfectly. Our task was made easier last night on stage 16 when P-G (Andersson) retired, handing us the lead but this has been the toughest event of my career.”

There were no significant changes through yesterday’s final Power Stage. The Irish crew of Eamonn Boland/Mickey Joe Morrissey (Mitsubishi) were 36th.

On the home front, Derek McGarrity, listed to drive a Ford Focus WRC, made a successful late switch to his new Subaru S14 WRC to win the New Year Stages Rally in Kirkistown.

The County Antrim driver was pushed all the way by Armagh’s, Darren Gass (Subaru WRC), who finished two seconds behind at the finish of the six stage event.

There was never more than three seconds between the duo, who posted identical times on the fourth test.

Last year’s winner, Kenny McKinstry, also in a Subaru WRC, was third. The MINI WRC made its Irish debut, the McGeehan Motorsport Mini, driven by Derek McGeehan finished fourth. Just two of the 58 starters failed to finish. Meanwhile, Kris Meeke is set to test the car on Wednesday in preparation for the Galway International Rally where it will be driven by Eugene Donnelly.

Steven Ferguson (Mini Special) won all but two of Saturday’s 12 tests in the latest round of the Hewison Autotest Championship in Waterford.

He finished 14.7 seconds clear of the Mini Saloon of Eamonn Byrne, local driver Paddy Power (Mini Special), was third, both drivers each won a single test.

Yesterday, Ferguson took top spot ahead of JJ Farrell.

The Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial was won by Pakie Duffy/Colin Duffy (Subaru).

Cork racing driver, Matt Griffin and his team mates, Marco Cioci and Piergiuseppe Perazzini took their AF Corse Ferrari 458 to victory in the inaugural Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Griffin, impressive all through, paid tribute to Cioci, “Marco did an amazing job because we had no brakes left at the end of my last stint and he had to really, really push and dig deep”.