Breen’s perfect present as Peugeot confirm 2015 drive

An early Christmas present — that is how Waterford’s Craig Breen described the announcement that will see him remain with Peugeot Sport next season and along with tackling the European Rally Championship (ERC) campaign, he will also compete in seven rounds of the WRC2 category within the World Rally Championship.

His future in motorsport looked bleak a few months ago but it is now very firmly back on track. “It came to fruition over the last four or five days and it’ll be great to get back to World Rally Championship,” said Breen.

The Waterford ace has spearheaded the Peugeot Rally Academy since its creation and while winning the 2015 ERC is a serious ambition, his involvement in seven WRC2 rounds will place him at rallying’s highest plateau. “It’s where every young driver wants to be,” said Breen.

Last season, Breen and co-driver Scott Martin gave the Peugeot 208 T16 a debut win on the Acropolis Rally in Greece. Unfortunately, reliability issues scuppered any hopes of securing the 2014 ERC crown and he had to settle for third in the series, 58 points adrift of winner Esapekka Lappi (Finland) and 24 points behind second-placed Sepp Wiegand (Germany).

“I’m delighted to be continuing with Peugeot Sport in 2015 when our priority will be the ERC title,” said an excited Breen. “Last year wasn’t easy. We were down on luck and it was the 208 T16s debut season but now all the ingredients are in place. The car combines speed and reliability and I know the team well as this will be my third year as part of the official line-up. It’s going to be an exciting but busy year because my programme also includes — with Peugeot Sport support — seven WRC2 outings in the 208 T16 with the same team.”

Breen’s first outing of the ERC campaign on the first week of January will leave little time for rest over the festive season. “In terms of training I have kept the head down for the last while and I’m in the best shape possible, even if was going to be driving a wheelbarrow. Luckily enough we are now ready to hit the road.”

The Jännerrallye in Austria from January 4 to 6 opens proceedings that will be followed by his WRC appearance in Rallye Monte Carlo (January 22- 25). Irish fans will get the opportunity to seen Breen on home ground on the Circuit of Ireland over the Easter weekend. The Belfast-based event is the third round of the ERC.

The Peugeot Rally Academy’s second driver will be French ace Charles Martin (25), who followed in the footsteps of Kevin Abbring as winner of the 208 Rally Cup in 2014. His prize for winning that series is six events in the 208 T16, namely four in the European Rally Championship (Circuit of Ireland, Azores, Barum Czech Rally Zlin and Greece) plus two rallies in France (Le Touquet and Var). The Academy’s programme will again be overseen by Team Saintéloc.

Meanwhile the Munster Car Club will hold a Loose Surface Autocross on St Stephen’s Day, for the first time in five years. The venue is the Rosehill Industrial Estate, Ballinacurra, Midleton with the first timed run at 11am.

On Saturday, the Cork Motor Club will host a similar event at O’Regan’s Quarry in Coachford. It will mark the conclusion of the 5 Star Catering National Autocross Championship. The winner of the event will be determined by the single best timed run rather than an accumulation of times. Also on St Stephen’s Day, the Carlow Car Club hold a rallysprint at Mondello Park.

Elsewhere, Ger Seaman, manager of the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship has stepped down from the post, citing work commitments. The TROA (Tarmac Rally Organisers Association) are expected to announce a replacement before the opening round of the championship in Galway in early February.