Breen to stay with Ford Fiesta S2000 next year
Aside from the seven event programme he is also likely to contest selected round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) series.
The Irish Examiner understands that up until last week, Breen and his team were involved in delicate discussions with various parties about his 2012 programme. However, the discussions failed to reach a successful conclusion and they have decided to stay with the Ford Fiesta S2000.
Breen took the FIA WRC Academy title in dramatic fashion on Wales Rally GB where he had to win all five stages of the closing leg to fend off title challenger, Estonian, Egon Kaur. The Waterford driver, who won the Motorsport Ireland International Driver of the Year Award, took the top prize of €500,000 for use in the 2012 WRC. In the Academy series, he campaigned a Fiesta R2 while he also made sporadic outings in his S2000 Fiesta, most notably, finishing an impressive fourth in the Rally of Scotland In the past week, Breen participated in the FIA Institute Academy workshop in Edinburgh after winning a place in the 2012 Young Driver Excellence Academy. Next month, he will travel to Chamonix, France for the second session. Speaking about his plans, he said, “Three days after claiming the WRC Academy title in November, I was in Austria for the FIA Institute Trials and my schedule hasn’t stopped in the meantime. We have been working hard on putting a package together for next season. I had envisaged moving to S2000 for 2012 with some time as this was always going to be my next step. Winning the WRC Academy has given me more options but I still needed to take time and make the correct choice, not just looking short term but to stand back and take a wider, more long term view of my career. My plan is to stay with my current Ford Fiesta S2000.”
The car has recently been re-fettled by his engineer, Tipperary man, Tom Gahan, who will oversee his S2000 programme. Breen’s partnership with his Welsh co-driver, Gareth Roberts will also continue.
The 21 year old Waterford ace will begin his title assault on the Monte Carlo Rally on January 17-22. The remaining rounds are February 9-12: Rally Sweden; March 29-April 1: Rally Portugal; August 2-5: Rally Finland; September 13-16: Rally Great Britain; October 4-7: Rallye de France; November 8-11: Rally de Espana.
Elsewhere, his participation in selected rounds of the IRC may also include driving a different car in the Circuit of Ireland Rally, the third round of the series.
Meanwhile, the FIA, the world governing body for motorsport, has announced that it is continuing discussions with the MINI WRC Team in the hope of reaching an agreement that will see it participate in a limited programme next season. Citroen and Ford entered before Monday’s original deadline. The final registration date for WRC Teams to contest the FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers is March 27th. 2012.
Peugeot will have an updated version of its 207 S2000 for next season’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Improvements to the engine and chassis are said to make a significant difference. The car will also be widened by 20mm that according to Peugeot will benefit cornering stability, especially on asphalt surfaces. Minor bodywork modifications will apparently help brake cooling.
Proton will compete in the SWRC with P G Andersson and Giandomenico Basso driving on the Monte Carlo Rally. Asia-Pacific Rally Champion, Alister McRae is also expected to have a role in Proton’s SWRC assault, he will also defend his APRC title. Team principal, Chris Mellors commented that there may be some outings in the IRC in 2012 for some privateers.
On the domestic front, Tuesday next is the busiest day of the festive season with the Carlow Rallysprint at Mondello Park (10.15am); the Cavan Autocross at Latton Quarry near Cootehill and the Cork Autocross at Cronin’s Quarry, Ightermurragh near Ladysbridge.
The Jerry Murphy Tyres Munster Autocross Championship concludes with the Cork Motor Club’s Autocross, series leader, Whitby Moynan is vying with the father and son pairing of Ballyvourney’s, Jimmy and James Lucey for the 2011 title. Midlands driver, Moynan leads with 68 points with James Lucey on 59 points and Jimmy Lucey with 47 points.
