Craig Breen takes early lead in the Azores

Having set the fastest time on the qualifying stage for the SATA Rallye Acores, round four of the European Rally Championship, Craig Breen and co-driver Scott Martin on board their Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16 brought that form through last evening’s opening three stages to lead the event.

Overnight, they have a 1.5 second advantage over their championship rivals Kato Kajetanowicz/Jaroslaw Baran (Ford Fiesta R5). Monaghan’s Josh Moffett and co-driver John Rowan (Ford Fiesta RRC) ended the day in an an impressive fourth — 24.7 seconds off top spot.

Moffett’s brother Sam and his Bandon co-driver Karl Atkinson also in a Ford Fiesta RRC were ninth at the overnight halt.