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.

Fri, 05 Jun, 2015 - 01:00

Martin Walsh

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.

On the opening Super Special Stage, Breen was third quickest — three seconds behind championship rival Kato Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5) with the Fiesta R5 of Ricardo Moura equally splitting the pair. Josh Moffett (Ford Fiesta RRC) was 7.3 seconds off the lead while his brother Sam in a similar car had a deficit of 10.9 seconds, they were 11th and 18th respectively.

Breen was quickest through the 7.23-kilometre second stage, but his comments were concerning, “We have a problem with that pop-off valve again, but we’re here.” Although he remained in third, his stage time allowed him cut Kajetanowicz’s advantage to just 1.8 seconds. Josh Moffett punched in the fourth best time to move from ninth into fourth. Meanwhile, Sam’s time was nine seconds shy of his younger sibling.

Breen was quickest again on the final stage. “our tyre choice was quite safe, we are quite happy,” said Breen.

Kajetanowicz and Moura are second and third. Josh Moffett caught Charles Martin’s Peugeot 208 T16 about a kilometre from the finish of the stage but he lost little time overtaking the Frenchman. Meanwhile, Sam Moffett served up his best performance of the evening, Elsewhere, Robert Consani damaged his Citroen DS3 R5 and arrived at the finish minus the rear bumper. There are eight stages today and six tomorrow.

The new SEAT Supercup Ireland makes its first visit to Mondello Park on Sunday as Michael Cullen holds a slender one-point advantage at the top of the championship standings. A race winner in Bishopscourt, Cullen faces an increasing grid of the SEAT Sport built Leon Supercopas for what will be the third and fourth rounds. Former Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Niall Murray is one of the newcomers. The 20-year-old reigning Irish Formula Ford champion is relishing the prospect following a successful test in the car last week, Rod McGovern and John Farrelly will also compete. Qualifying takes place on Sunday morning with a bonus championship point on offer for the polesitter, the races are timed for 2pm and 5.20pm.

Keith Cronin is a definite non-starter for next week’s Rally Italia Sardegna, round six of the World Rally Championship. His Citroen DS3 R5 is still not fully re-fettled after a pre-event test ahead of the last round in Portugal. The Ballylickey ace is uncertain as to when he will embark on his WRC2 campaign. While Rally de Portugal was classed as one of his nominated championship rounds, he is likely to get a reprieve for Sardegna. Prior to his return on the world stage, Cronin may participate in some Irish rallies in order to gain some valuable seat time. Meanwhile, Mallow co-driver David Moynihan makes a welcome return and has accepted a late call to partner British driver Harry Hunt (Skoda Fabia S2000), the pair, who have previously rallied together will test today, the rally begins on Thursday evening.

Monaghan’s David Moffett (24) has been selected as a bi-monthly nominee for the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award as a result of his performances during March and April. He notched up top 10 finishes on the Mayo Rally and the Monaghan Rally.