Polish joy as storm washes Craig Breen’s dreams away

It was the storming finish that Craig Breen didn’t want as weather conditions forced an early conclusion to the Acropolis Rally, denying him the opportunity to continue his bid to win the European Rally Championship.

The termination of the rally three stages earlier than anticipated due to torrential rainstorm in the Loutraki region saw leader, Polish ace Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5) take victory and the ERC crown.

Saturday’s opening stage was cut from 43km to 24km as Kajetanowicz led Breen by 12.2 seconds. The day’s only other stage saw Breen in third at the overnight halt due to a mechanical problem with his Peugeot 208 T16. Yesterday, Breen made a terrific start and by S.S. 4 he led the rally and Kajetanowicz by 17.2 seconds. He increased his lead margin to 33.7 seconds on S.S. 5 with Kajetanowicz having to reverse at one point to get back on stage in the difficult conditions. Breen arrived at the end of S.S. 6. with the bonnet open and a cracked windscreen. The episode cost him the lead as Kajetanowicz went ten seconds in front.