Fresh from a confidence building second place finish on Rallye du Vallais in Switzerland, Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen heads to the island of Corsica this week for the final round of the FIA European Rally Championship with just one intention, to win, writes Jamie Kent.
Known as the 'Rally of 10,000 corners, the Tour de Corse (Nov 6-8) remains legendary amongst the rallying community around the world for its narrow twisty stages that wind their way through the mountain passes of the island, and it will be the perfect opportunity for the Rally Acropolis winner to show again that only for that well known run of bad luck, the 2014 European Rally Championship could have had a very different outcome.
A new start location in Porto-Vecchio will see the all tarmac rally come to life with a qualifying stage on Thursday morning where Craig and his co-driver Scott Martin will guide their Peugeot 208 T16 through a short two and a half kilometer test that will determine in which order they will pick their road position for leg one.
With the start ceremony taking place on Thursday night, it's not until Friday morning that the crews will see real stage action on six stages not used by the event for a long time that will add to the challenge for drivers like Craig that have only contested the rally in recent years.
Following a regroup in Port de Plaisance Propriano at the end of the day, the rally switches to Ajaccio and after an overnight half the crews will tackle a more familiar but every bit as demanding loop for the final leg including a return to the famous harbourside service park at midday and several classic stages before the ceremonial finish that evening.
Before travelling to Corsica, Craig said "I'm going there determined to prove that myself, Scott and the Peugeot 208 T16 are in fact the winning package that held so much promise afte rour debut win in Greece earlier in the year."
You can keep up to date with Craig’s FIA ERC 2014 campaign by visitingwww.craigbreen.com or www.peugeot-sport.com