Déjà vu Donegal review

Déjà vu Donegal was a resounding success for participants and spectators alike when the sun shone on a record number of glistening entries on Saturday, 31 August and thousands of euros were raised for the Donegal Hospice. 

Rally fans flocked for autographs and selfies as their heroes, including 11 former Donegal International winners and international superstars as the seven-time Belgium Champion Patrick Snijers and five-time British Champion Jimmy McRae gathered in Ballybofey.

James McDaid and Sean Doherty, Patrons of the Donegal Hospice brandished the county flag along with Jack Beatty, the seven year old “Little Blue Heroe” in his Garda uniform, who  suffers from brittle bone disease, to start the million pound parade on a 120 mile journey.

Their progress north over the Letterleague Stage was uneventful apart from the breath taking views of Muckish mountain but flooding as they entered the Glen Stage required their experienced navigators to find an alternative route. In the village there was gridlock as the crowds engulfed the rally legends in front of Mary of Glen’s famous pub.  

When the cameras stopped clicking Andrew Nesbitt’s S11 WRC Subaru, (which had been especially wrapped in its old Cuisine de France colours for the occasion), Cathal Curley, John Lyons, and James Cullen all in Mk II Escorts, moved on to complete the stage.

At the Singing Pub on Atlantic Drive it was more of the same as Vincent Boner (Manta 400), Austin MacHale (BMW M3), Brian Nelson (Escort MkII) and more mingled amongst the crowd before their early afternoon drive over the tortuous test that led them back to Downings.

The most poignant moment of the tour was on the Fanad Stage when Andrew Nesbitt stopped at the point where Manus Kelly had lost his life on the June International Rally, to lay a Déjâ Vu Donegal wreath in the company of his fellow drivers and co-drivers. 

The spectators jockeyed for vantage points at the hairpins on the famous Knockalla climb with the background of Lough Swilly looking its magnificent best but the undoubted highlight was the visit to Ramelton where the town’s Festival Committee had laid on a magnificent reception. The banter with the top drivers over the PA was not to be missed and then it was back into the cars to drive the famous town stage. This was Déjà vu  in every meaning of the words with the streets decorated with vintage banners helping us to be transported back into the 1980s and the thousands lining the route loved every moment of their time travel back into yesterday.

The memorable day was rounded off with an evening of spectacular videos, interviews, songs and dance and an auction hilariously conducted by the six-time winner, Andrew Nesbitt, which raised thousands for the Hospice.

And the co-drivers and the rally creator were not forgotten as Dr Beatty Crawford and Cathal Curley made special presentations to Letterkenny’s Rory Kennedy, commemorating forty years of success in the hot seat and Austin Frazer the first Clerk of the Course, often described as the ‘Architect’ of the Donegal International Rally.

“The burning question of course is how much has the event raised for our chosen charity, the Donegal Hospice? That will not become evident until all the donations have been received and all the bills paid but we will be very disappointed if it is not well in excess of €15,000.” said Dr Beatty Crawford and Alan (Plum) Tyndall, the event organisers.

Andrew Nesbitt and his son Graham, pictured above aboard the WRC Subaru, led a 165 strong cavalcade of Historic and Classic cars through the famous Donegal special stages in aid of the Donegal Hospice.

Mission Accomplished for Breen and the 208T16 in Latvia.

Craig and Scott on the Podium in Latvia

Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen had his intentions clearly declared as he set off for round two of the FIA European Rally Championship “Rally Liepāja” (6th-8th February) in Latvia. 

Because he had already finished in second position twice on the event before Craig was determined that himself and his co-driver Scott Martin would stand on the top step once again for the first time in almost twelve months.

Their maiden ERC win on the Acropolis rally in March of last year was proving difficult to repeat but the now sorted reliability issues with the 208T16 and Craig’s experience in Latvia were to be the key ingredient on their third event this season.

After a positive pre-event practice Craig and Scott took to the short qualifying stage on Friday brimming with confidence.  With temperatures higher than expected in the area the crews were faced with a mostly gravel three kilometre road on studded snow tyres and the Peugeot Rally Academy pair posted second fastest time, just 0.05 seconds off Russian driver Alexey Lukyanuk.

Motorsport Ireland Weekend Roundup

Craig Breen in Latvia

Mission Accomplished for Breen and the 208T16 in Latvia:

Craig Breen wins FIA European Rally Championship round in Latvia.

Craig takes away 40 points and leaps into second position in the European Rally Championship standings where next up for the Peugeot rally Academy crew is round three the 'ERC Circuit of Ireland Rally' based in Belfast over the Easter Weekend when Craig will be keen to impress on home turf.

Maiden International win for Kelly & Flanagan in Galway:

Donagh Kelly and Kevin Flanagan

Donagh Kelly from Donegal and his Derry co-driver Kevin Flanagan powered their Ford Focus WRC to victory in the Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally which was based around Gort over the weekend.

It was their first ever International Rally win and puts them into an early lead in the Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Rally Championship for 2015.

Runner-up just 39.2 seconds behind was to multiple tarmac champions Eugene Donnelly and Paul Kiely in a Mini WRC, after they edged out Sam Moffett and Karl Atkinson who were in a Fiesta WRC by just 0.7 seconds.

From Galway to Latvia: Two Irish Drivers - Two different challenges

Craig Breen in action

Fresh from his second place finish at WRC Rallye Monte Carlo, Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen heads back to the European Rally Championship this week for round two “Rally Liepāja” (6-8 February) in Latvia.

Having twice previously finished on the second step of the podium at this event, it’s going to be a great opportunity for Craig and his co-driver Scott Martin to notch up their second ERC win for both themselves and the Peugeot 208 T16.

Not alone will it be Craig’s third time to compete in Latvia it will be the team’s third winter rally already this year so confidence all round is high ahead of the event.

Before leaving Craig said, “I’m really looking forward to the rally this year, with the confidence our second place in Monte Carlo has given me and our experience at this venue, we are determined to take a another win.”

Dean Raftery

Meanwhile back home, Billy Coleman Young Driver of the Year Dean Raftery will take on the biggest challenge of his career as he steps up to a BMW MINI World Rally Car on the Colm Quinn BMW Galway International Rally.

At the age of just 23, the Craughwell based rally star will aim to capitalise on his sensational performances in the MSA British Rally Championship and World Rally Championship finale Wales Rally GB. He has been offered this opportunity thanks to his victory in the Young Driver of the Year competition hosted by Motorsport Ireland and the Irish Sport Council which took place back in December.

Keen to develop his skills across a wide variety of competitive cars, Raftery feels that the experience in a world car is ‘key’ to his progression in the sport and will help to boost his profile as he continues his career. “This is such a fantastic opportunity on my home event in front of my home crowd, it truly is a dream come true” explains Raftery. “It really is an honour to drive at an event that my local motor club organises and what an incredible car to compete in. Of course it will be a totally unique driving experience compared to the Fiesta but hopefully I can adapt to the power and grip levels quite quickly”.

Raftery will compete in one of two MINI WRCs on the event, the sister car piloted by five times Irish Tarmac Champion Eugene Donnelly.

Having a five time Irish Champion as a team mate will undoubtedly help the Galway Motor Club member too. “Of course Eugene is a legend on the Irish roads and I’m sure I can learn a lot from him both before and during the event” he says. “It will provide a great benchmark to judge my stage times by too but I will certainly be driving my own event, at least for the first few stages”.

The three day event provides over 200km of competitive stages in the Galway region and takes place on 6th, 7th and 8th February. After the ceremonial start on Friday 6th, two full days of action lie ahead for the crews before returning to the finish ramp at the Clayton Hotel late on Sunday afternoon.

Motorsport Ireland Weekend Roundup

Thomas O'Rafferty got his year off to a good start by winning the Supercar Final and the main race of the day, the Super Final, at the opening round of the McLoughlin Industrial Flooring National Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park yesterday.

His Fiesta was the only one of the three Supercars to survive the day, with English visitor Mark Watson's Citroen Xsara an early retirement with engine trouble during the heats. O'Rafferty stayed in front of a terrific duel between Pearse Browne's BMW and the Corsa of Willie Coyne in the Super Final.

Earlier, Browne won the Modified A Final, with Niall Murray taking the Stock Hatch Final ahead of John Ward and Eoin Murray.

Local pair Ger O'Connell and Denis O'Donovan won the Skibbereen 100 Isles Navigation Trial for the second year in succession, heading a trio of Cork crews in the top places. Defending National Champions Colin Duffy and Sam Johnston finished fourth.

All the World's roads lead to Wales in November

The 2015 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) blasts off later this week in traditional style high up in the Alps with the 83rd running of the world-famous Monte Carlo Rally.

The 13-round calendar then sees the competitors travel from the snow packed roads of Sweden to the dusty tracks of Argentina, Australia and Mexico before the WRC reaches its thrilling conclusion in the fearsome Welsh forests.

Wales Rally GB (12-15 November) will allow Irish and UK rally fans to cheer on their heroes.

Full details of the 2015 Wales Rally BG route will be published later in the year with ticket details announced at the same time.

Breen moves on to Monte and the WRC

Be it motor racing or rallying Monte Carlo is steeped in heritage for every driver and not only does the principality host the 83rd running of its World famous rally this year but it also marks the beginning of the 2015 World Rally Championship.

For Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen goes there as a previous winner having won the SWRC (Super 2000) class in 2012 on his way to winning the championship that year.

Peugeot have also enjoyed success winning twice using the 207 S2000 with Sébastien Ogier (2009) and Bryan Bouffier (2011) so the enigma of what it takes to master this challenging all asphalt event for both car and crew has already been unlocked.

Craig and his co-driver Scott Martin are very much hoping that history will repeat itself this time using the ERC contender SAINTéLOC Racing run Peugeot 208 T16 and allow them to open their WRC-2 points scoring account in the best possible way as they begin a Peugeot supported seven round assault on this championship as well as their ERC campaign.

Pre event shakedown takes place on Wednesday (Jan 21st) afternoon but it’s not until after the cars cross the start ramp in “Place du Casino” on Thursday evening (22nd) that things will get serious for the Peugeot Rally Academy pair when the cars will set off into the darkness to tackle two 20km stages on their way North to Gap, the host city for day one.

New World Championship team for World RX for 2015

A new two-car team headed up by former WRC star Manfred Stohl will enter the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy. Joining Stohl in the all-new World RX Team Austria will be team owner and driver, Max Pucher.

The announcement was made in Vienna if front of over 50 media and VIP guests where Pucher confirmed the team will contest all 12 Championship rounds at the wheel of two Ford Fiesta RX Supercars prepared by Stohl Racing. The car was presented to guests following a press conference which was also attended by World RX’s Managing Director, Martin Anayi.

Stohl is best known for his rallying exploits but first got a taste for rallycross when he won last year’s Austrian Race of Champions in Pucher’s Ford Fiesta RX Supercar.  The Austrian was then invited by reigning World RX Champion Petter Solberg to join the PSRX Team for the season-closing race in Argentina.  Stohl reached the semi-finals but failed to make it through to the final following a mechanical problem.

Breen wastes no time ahead of Season Opener

On New Year's Day, Craig Breen will take the first journey of what will be many during his mammoth ERC/WRC-2 2015 season to begin pre-event testing ahead of his first event. Having announced Christmas week he is to lead the Peugeot Rally Academy FIA European Rally Championship campaign for a third consecutive year Craig is more determined than ever to take the ERC title next November and prove that was it not for an unlucky streak in 2014 that he had the package around him to win it then.

First up for Craig and his co-driver Scott Martin is the FIA ERC Internationale Jannerrallye in Austria where the Peugeot pair will compete in their Peugeot Rally Academy 208 T16 on what are often snow and ice covered asphalt roads. The rally runs unusually from Sunday 4 January to Tuesday 6 January taking advantage of a bank holiday in the country and will cover almost 240 kilometres of competitive distance. The asphalt showcase first ran in 1969 and attracts huge numbers of spectators to the base town of Freistadt, 40 kilometres north of Linz in Upper Austria.

The rally gets underway with a short qualifying test on Sunday morning where Craig and Scott will go up against championship regulars like Stephane Lefebvre, Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Robert Consani in a shoot out to determine road order for the opening leg on Monday. The eighteen stages that follow in the spectacular Muhlviertel region use fast, undulating country roads increasing the challenge of these tricky conditions. Weather sources locally are forecasting an ambient temperature range of between minus five and minus twenty one degrees centigrade; snow has also been falling in recent days with more expected.

Unfinished business in fifteen for Breen

Craig Breen, who has spearheaded the PEUGEOT Rally Academy since its creation, will next year look forward to not only another FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) campaign where his objective will be to secure the 2015 title but also seven WRC-2 outings all behind the wheel of his 208 T16.

Along with co-driver Scott Martin, he earned the 208 T16’s first major international success when he won the 2014 Acropolis Rally in Greece. For 2015, the crew and car have a programme of nine ERC rounds, since only the trip to Cyprus doesn’t figure in the pair’s diary.

 “I’m delighted to be continuing with PEUGEOT Sport in 2015 when our priority will be the ERC title, ” says 24-year old Craig. “Last year wasn’t easy. We were down on luck and it was the 208 T16’s debut season but now all the ingredients are in place. The car combines speed and reliability and I know the team well, since 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 WRC-2 outings in the 208 T16 with the same team.”

The PEUGEOT Rally Academy’s 2015 campaign with the 208 T16 and 208 promises to be particularly busy, beginning with its first competitive appearance on next month’s European Rally Championship opener, the Jännerrallye.

Craig’s FIA ERC 2015
January 4-6: Jännerrallye (Austria)
February 6-8: Rally Liepaja (Latvia)
 April 2-4: Circuit of Ireland:
June 4-6: Rallye Açores (Portugal)
June 25-27: Ypres Rally (Belgium)
July 17-19: Rally Estonia
 August 28-30: Barum Czech Rally Zlin
October 9-11: Rally of Greece
November 5-7: Tour de Corse

Craig’s WRC 2015
Monte-Carlo 22 - 25 January
Portugal 21 - 24 May
Poland 02 - 05 July
Finland 30 July - 02 August
France 01 - 04 October
Spain 22 - 25 October
Great Britain 12 - 15 November

Solberg wins Argentina RX

Petter Solberg has ended his title-winning season in style by winning the closing round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship presented by Monster Energy in San Luis, Argentina.

Ford Olsbergs MSE won a three-way battle for the Teams’ Championship as team-mates Reinis Nitiss and Andreas Bakkerud finished second and sixth respectively. RX Lites Cup winner Kevin Eriksson drove spectacularly on his Supercar debut to clinch third.

Solberg’s win in Argentina is the Norwegian’s fifth outright victory of the year for the PSRX Team and sees the driver end the inaugural World RX season with a total of 267 points. Volkswagen Marklund Motorsport’s Topi Heikkinen amassed enough points today to award the 23-year-old Finn the coveted runners-up spot. Nitiss ends the season third overall in points.

“This is a dream come true.  We started the season with a win in Portugal, and to finish with another win in Argentina feels really amazing,” grinned Solberg who was also awarded the Monster Energy Super Charge Award after his rapid start from pole position. “This Championship has so many talented drivers and I am extremely impressed with the high standard of driving we have had this year – especially from the younger guys. Now I’m looking forward to Doha for the FIA Awards Ceremony but I will be back and fighting for more seasons to come. I’d like to thank my whole team for working so hard throughout this year!”

Motorsport Ireland Weekend Roundup

2014 National Rallycross champion Declan Kelly (Fiesta)

Dubliner Declan Kelly yesterday clinched his first National Rallycross Championship by winning the Super Final at Co Kildare MC's final round of the series at Mondello Park, with his Ford Fiesta leading the Escort of former champion Tommy Graham across the finish line in the main race of the day.

This was Kelly's third Super Final win this year, but title rival Thomas O'Rafferty mounted a strong challenge by winning on the last three outings, leaving the championship as a duel between them. In the third qualifying heat, the two Fiestas touched, with O'Rafferty spinning into a bank, damaging his car too badly to take part in the finals and leaving the Super Final as an anti-climax.

Earlier, Graham had won the Modified A Final, with Niall Murray beating his elder brother Eoin to take the Stock Hatch 16 valve race. Noel O'Brien again took the 8 valve Final, with Jake Dooley well clear of his opposition in the Junior Final.

In Longford, the Duffy family dominated Midland MC's round of the National Navigation Trial Championship with Pakie and Colin Duffy, the father and son rivals, sharing top place having stayed unpenalised throughout the 75 mile route based on Ballinalee.

Colin and his navigator Sam Johnston, the current National title holders, and Pakie, with former champion navigator Evin Hughes, were equal on all of the tie-breakers, and were three marks clear of surprise third place finishers, novices Damien Kellegher and Gordon McGirl.

Motorsport Ireland: Three finalists for €50,000 young driver award

Motorsport Ireland has announced the three finalists for the prestigious Billy Coleman Award for Ireland’s Young Rally Driver of the Year.

Josh Moffett, Kevin Eves and Dean Raftery will go forward to the finals at the Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Champions of Irish Motorsport Awards on December 10. The winner will be chosen by a select committee drawn from representatives of the media, Irish Sports Council and the motorsport world. The successful driver will receive the Billy Coleman Award and funding of €50,000!

Josh Moffett

The award is viewed as a major accolade in a drivers career and has helped launch the international careers of many former winners, including Keith Cronin and Craig Breen.

Monaghan driver Josh Moffett (22) won the Production car class (Group N) in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship winning the category outright at the Circuit of Ireland and Donegal International Rallies. He says: “My ultimate ambition is to be able to compete at European and world levels within the next few seasons like former Billy Coleman winners Craig Breen and Keith Cronin.”

Kevin Eves (23), from Pettigo, Co Donegal, came to prominence at in February this year when he came within 5.7 seconds of finishing 3rd overall in the Galway National Rally. Kevin said: “I have the ambition and speed to progress through the ranks in our sport. Winning this award will allow me the opportunity to gain the experience needed to achieve my goal.”

The final qualifier for the Billy Coleman Award is Dean Raftery, also 23, from Craughwell, Co Galway. Dean has been competing in motor sport events since he was eight years old. Dean's achievements in 2014 were based around his participation in the British Rally Championship and the R2 category in particular. He wants to establish himself as one of the best drivers in Ireland and succeed at a world recognised level.

Dean Raftery

The winner will receive €50,000 worth of support and funding to compete in national and international rallies in 2015. The two runners up will receive free entry into a number of Motorsport Ireland events during 2015. All three finalists will also receive the benefit of advice and assistance from Motorsport Ireland mentor, Tom Walsh, co-ordinator for the Billy Coleman Award.

Previous winners of the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award include Gareth MacHale, Keith Cronin, Craig Breen and Daniel McKenna. In 2012, Cronin became only the fourth person in history to win three British Rally Championships, while Daniel McKenna took the spoils in the 2014 British Rally Championship, driving a Citroen DS3 R3T.

Andrew Slattery and his Peugeot 208 R2 are a Class Act

Andrew Slattery and his co-driver Andrew Browne have snapped up the 2014 Class 6 National Tarmac Championship award in a Peugeot 208 R2.

Two wins in Carlow and Galway, added to a podium finish at the Circuit of Kerry, Circuit of Munster and the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally and 16 fastest stage times during five rounds, saw the young Tipperary driver take the honours over the weekend at the Dunlop Awards ceremony in Athlone.

Competing with fellow Peugeot 208 R2 drivers, other entrants included Honda Civics, Citroen C2s, Citroen Saxos, Peugeot 206s. The Peugeot 208 R2, the current European R2 Junior Championship winner with Stephane Lefebvre behind the wheel, has proven to be the car to beat in the R2 category in 2014.

Andrew Slattery

Presented with his trophy, Andrew Slattery, Service Manager at Slattery’s Garage, Puckane, said, “The Peugeot 208 R2 ran faultlessly all year, after a little blip in February that saw us literally down our tools and run to France, to pick up an engine part before the Circuit of Kerry. It’s been an exciting year for us and I want to sincerely thank Sean Holland, Managing Director at Finol Oils Limited, our chief sponsor, for all of their support in 2014. Massive thanks also to my supporting team. I really have a fantastic team of lads around me and I want to give a special mention to Martin Dunne, Technical Manager, at Gowan Distributors Limited, Peugeot Importers in Ireland.”

Andrew, from Nenagh, competed in his 205 GTi in the Irish 205 Challenge for 2 seasons, 2008 – 2009, winning the Novice Award in 2008 and gaining some vital tips and advice under the experienced eye of Rory Galligan. In 2009 he narrowly missed out on the top spot due to a crash on the 2nd last round. He made his debut in his Peugeot 208 R2 in 2013 in the Irish Tarmac Championships.

Motorsport Ireland weekend roundup

Yesterday's final day of the last round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB, saw heartbreak for Irish pair Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle, with their works entered Citroen DS3 suffering tyre problems on the closing stages and dropping from third place to sixth at the finish in Llandudno.

The Dungannon-Killarney combination battled for runner up position with Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen in their Ford Fiesta, starting yesterday's six stages just three seconds behind the Finns. However, Meeke slid off the road early in the day, damaging a tyre, and with service not allowed anywhere, he had to conserve his one spare wheel.

He finally lost grip on the second last stage at Alwen and was forced to limp on slowly, dropping behind fellow Citroen team mate Mads Ostberg as well as Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans to take seventh place in the World Championship points table.

At home, defending Hewison Autotest champion Steven Ferguson scored his fourth win of the season in TDC's round at Mondello Park, beating Guy Foster by five seconds after twelve long tests, with Paul Blair third, while Padraic McHale won the last round of the Five Star Catering Autocross Championship in Co Offaly, with the title going to Derek Mackarel from Monaghan.

Irish assault on Final Round of World Rally Championship

Dean Raftery, July-Aug 2014

Daniel McKenna along with Co driver Arthur Kierans will lead the charge of the Irish at the final round of the World Rally Championship in Wales this coming weekend.

Taking place along the picturesque roads and forests of North Wales the 23 stage event runs from Thursday to Sunday. Daniel will be joined by several Motorsport Ireland Registered drivers and co drivers including Paul Nagle who alongside Northern Irishman, Kris Meeke, is aiming to secure second spot in the manufacturers standings in the championship. Also, two of this year’s Billy Coleman Award nominees, Dean Raftery and Josh Moffett, intend to back up a successful season thus far with a good performance as they debut on the world stage.

Daniel McKenna

McKenna, having won his first season in the highly competitive British Rally Championship, views the Wales GB rally as the perfect opportunity to showcase his driving ability against the best in the business which includes Northern Irishman Alastair Fisher currently lying second in his WRC class. As he prepares to join the competition full time in 2015 McKenna has stated he will be targeting the Junior WRC competitors in particular.

“ I’ve gained a lot of experience and mileage in the last 12 months and I’m determined to progress in my chosen sport. My goal in Wales is to try and get up to the pace of the current JWRC regulars. It’ll be a stern task but that’s the level that I’m aspiring to and it’s where I need to prove myself.”

Newly crowned BRC Rally Two champion Dean Raftery has noted that the Wales Rally GB will be the biggest challenge of his career to date. With experienced WRC co-driver Karl Atkinson alongside him, the 23 year old is looking forward to pitting himself against more experienced class rivals.
Raftery stated “I think the whole experience will be pretty overwhelming. It’s not every day you compete alongside the quickest drivers in the world. It’s a great way to see what pace I have against the entrants who have much more experience at this level than I do. It will be important to keep my head and retain the focus needed for all three days as stamina will certainly come into play. I’m looking forward to seeing how we get on.”

Josh Moffett, Mar-Apr 2014

Josh Moffett will also make his WRC debut at the final round of the championship, Wales Rally GB. The 22-year-old driver, who is also the second nominee for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Young Rally Driver of the Year Award competing at the WRC event is hoping to try and build on his experience on the challenging Welsh stages.

Moffett said “I really enjoy driving and competing against professional drivers on the Circuit of Ireland this year has given me the confidence to try and push myself and I’m really looking forward to Wales. I’d love to get to the finish and gain as much experience as possible.”

Wales Rally GB begins with a ceremonial start on Thursday night 13th November in Colwyn Bay. The following day Friday 14th, the rally moves to the forests around mid-Wales with eight stages. Saturday provides nine stages in the North Wales area and the longest day of the event. Sunday consists of six stages before the successful competitors cross the finish ramp in Llandudno seafront during the afternoon.

Breen takes third in FAI European Rally Championship

For Peugeot Rally Academy driver Craig Breen the third trip of his career to the island of Corsica for the legendary Tour de Corse Rally (Nov 6-8) had every expectation to be his best yet.

After learning what it takes to master the island's narrow twisty tarmac stages on two previous occasions, it was the perfect opportunity for him and his co-driver Scott martin to put their bad luck of the 2014 season behind them. Fresh from a confidence building second place finish in Switzerland, Craig was determined to take the top step of the podium again for the first time since his debut ERC win on the Acropolis Rally back in March and even before the really started, he was covering all his options.

Because road order in Corsica is not as important as on some of the other championship rounds, Craig selected to run on a harder compound tyre for the short qualifying test on Thursday and by sacrificing time along with road position choice he hoped it would more than reward the risk to have the same tyres on his Peugeot 208T16 for the demanding long abrasive stages of leg one.

Although sunshine greeted the crews on Friday a humid morning left the surface of the smooth opening stage a little slippier than expected and Craig posted fifth fastest time 5.2 seconds behind Stephane Sarrazin in his more powerful RRC spec machine. It was clear after SS2 that Sarrazin and fellow Frenchman Bryan Bouffier in another RRC were going to be the men for the Peugeot Rally Academy driver to beat for victory when the pair finished the 26.11km stage on exactly the same time some 6.8 seconds ahead of Craig. It was on SS3 that Craig hit transmission trouble that the Peugeot Rally Academy team could not fix in the thirty minute service that followed. Craig started the next stage but he could only manage sixth fastest time and was forced to retire for the day, his only hope that the team would be able to repair the car with the benefit of more time and thus enable him to re-start for Leg two the next day.

Saturday saw Craig and Scott take to the remaining five stages in the repaired 208T16 and although they were not able to figure in the overall results they overcame a puncture and intercom problems to post a number of top three stage times.

The rally finish marked the end of the FIA European Rally Championship 2014 of which Craig finishes third in the standings even after an unlucky streak since his win in Greece.

Craig Breen Tour de Corse 2014, Start Ramp 

Unfinished business for Craig Breen in Corsica

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.

National Rally Championship secures future

Triton Showers are title sponsor of National Rally Championship. The first of a three-year deal comes into effect in 2015.

Alex Sinclair, Chief Executive of Motorsport Ireland says "This is a firm statement about the health and popularity of not only the National Rally Championship but also for motorsport in general. "As we emerge from some lean years, Triton Showers have confirmed through their commitment that the future of Rallying in Ireland is secure."

Maynooth-based Triton Showers are already very well known in motorsport circles. Managing Director, Kevin Barrett is an avid supporter of Rallying and as a competitor has won the Galway Summer Rally and is also a former winner of the Mayo Rally. In the past, the company has supported many events throughout the country including the Circuit of Ireland and the regional South-East Rally series.

The Triton Showers National Rally Championship will rotate to eight different locations on a biennial basis due to the addition of Dublin based ALMC Rally and the Midland Rally in Roscommon that will join the series early next season.

The eight rounds of the 2015 Triton Showers National Rally Championship are: 1. Birr Rally (February); 2. Midland Rally )March); 3. Monaghan Rally (April); 4. Circuit of Munster (June); 5. Raven's Rock Rally (June); 6. Sligo Rally (July); 7. Galway Summer Rally (August); 8. Skibbereen Fastnet Rally (October). The series will be based on the best six scores from eight events.

Television coverage is available on TG4, Setanta and satellite channel Motors TV.

Motorsport Ireland weekend roundup

Two of Ireland's best rally drivers tasted success on the World stage at the weekend.

As we have already reported, Waterford's Craig Breen took the runner up spot in the Rally of Valais in Switzerland, a round of the European Championship, driving his Kel-Tech Peugeot 208 T16; and Robert Barrable, another former Billy Coleman Award winner as Young Rally Driver of the Year, finished third in the WRC2 section of the Rally of Spain, a round of the World Rally Championship. Barrable's Tunnock's World Rally Team Ford Fiesta had problems with its power steering on the opening gravel stages, but the Dubliner was able to recover to finish on the podium after two more days of tarmac stages.

At home, defending Hewison champion Steven Ferguson scored a double in Sligo, beating ten times former title holder Eamonn Byrne on both days of the Autotest weekend, with Robin Lyons and Paul Mooney taking turns at finishing third. Daragh O'Riordan and Tony McDaid took their second major rally win this month by adding the Skibbereen Fastnet to their collection.