Breen's Final Foray Of 2013 ERC Season

Peugeot Rally Academy's Craig Breen brings his 2013 European Rally Championship (ERC) campaign to a close next weekend (Nov 7/9) in Switzerland on Rallye International du Valais. Breen's first year as a Peugeot works driver has been one of learning new events and developing the new Peugeot 208 T16.

The Irish driver had a very successful opening part to 2013 recording podium finishes in Latvia, the Canaries, and the Azores which elevated him to second place in the championship standings. But below pare results in Poland and last time out in Sanremo has seen him drop to third position behind Bryan Bouffier with the final round to contest. There is still an opportunity for Craig to reclaim runner-up spot but it will require a top finish in Switzerland.

For the final event of the season Craig is partnered again by Lara Vanneste and the Irish/Belgium crew are seeded number one for the rally. The eighteen stage tarmac event is based in the south west of Switzerland, with the special stage action being based around the town of Sion for leg-one Thursday and leg-two Friday. For leg-three and the final eight stages the focus moves to the town of Martigny.

Craig:
"2013 has been a year of development for me both in terms of fitting into a new team with the Peugeot Rally Academy and taking on the role as a works driver for the first time. It has been a year of learning, education and gaining knowledge. I've split my driving time between competing within the ERC and testing the 208 T16. Rally du Valais will be my sixth new event this season. I was very pleased with how the opening half of the season progressed and to be in runner-up position was very rewarding for the amount of effort the whole team putt in. I can't say that however about the second half of the campaign. Again the effort was been there but sometimes the results haven't gone our way. I've been frustrated with both results from Poland and Sanremo and I want to end the season on a high in Switzerland. As always I've put in a really big effort in my preparation for this event and I really hope this will materialise into a good result by the end of the rally."