Breen 4th after Day-One of ERC SATA Rally Acores

ERC SATA Rally Acores, round four of the European Rally Championship got underway this morning and with an exciting day one action now complete, Peugeot Rally Academy number one driver Craig Breen holds 4th place overnight.

Breen partnered by Killarney's Paul Nagle confessed at today's finish that it had been a difficult start, "This is my first time here in the Azores and you definitely need some knowledge of the stages and the weather. I'm feeling very confident after the day one action but it has been tough; we had a puncture on the first stage. We drove very carefully through the second as I only had the one space. I'm quietly confident we can put a big push on tomorrow."

Day one of SATA Rally Acores began this morning with shakedown and then qualifying to pick road position for the opening day. The most unique feature of this event is the changeable weather conditions and it played its usual role.

By virtue of being the top seeds, current ERC leader Jan Kopecky and second in the overall standings Craig were first to tackle the 3.27km test but both drivers suffered as torrential rain descended, dealing with the monsoon conditions Kopecky was third and Craig came in fourth.

Polish driver Robert Kubica set the pace and was followed by Breen's Peugeot Rally Academy teammate Jeremi Ancian.

At the midday road selection ceremonial Kubica had first choice and decided to run in 10th position for the opening leg. After finishing second in qualifying Ancian picked 9th, Kopecky was next to choose and he decided on 8th. Craig in the end picked 7th.

At the ceremony the event organisers announced an updated Day one stage schedule;

Heavy overnight rain has resulted in significant damage to the roads on stages one and two. SS1, Coroa da Mata 1, has been cancelled. SS2, Sمo Brلs/Vila Franca 1, shortened from 16.38 kilometres to 6.14 kilometres. With the revised stage length of leg one now less than 10 per cent of the total competitive distance, the event stewards have confirmed that legs one and two will be merged, which means that the start order selected by the priority drivers for Thursday's stages will apply to Friday's route as well.

At the press conference Craig said, "Qualifying this morning was very tough, heavy rain was falling as we entered the stage. The stage route has now been changed as overnight rain has damaged the stages, it will be tricky again this evening!"

Thursday's got underway with the shortened Sمo Brلs/Vila Franca stage at 16:02hrs local time, Robert Kubica set the pace and Craig was just behind in second 2.2sec. On the next SS 3 Craig dropped to fourth 9.5sec down but confessed at the end that he had picked up a puncture on the previous test and with only one space he decided to take it very cautiously.

The day was completed by the SS4 Grupo Marques - Super Special and again Craig took it carefully but did record the third fastest time. So as the crews drive to the Thursday evening service Craig ends the day in fourth 11.4 sec down on rally leader Robert Kubica.