Monday 23 March 2009

Counting the Days!

Hi all!
Only a handfull of days to go, before a couple of very busy weeks ahead of me.
On Wednesday, I shall be travelling to Wales to compete in the Bulldog International Rally. This is the second round of the Kick Energy Fiesta Sport Trophy, which I am keen to get points on the board in, after a non-finish in the first round, the Malcolm Wilson Rally. It is also the first round of the British Rally Championship, in which I am keen to get a good championship result in. The stages are known to be very challenging, and I am really looking forward to getting started. I'm sure Kris Hall is going to be going to the rally with the same frame of mind, so it will be a good fight for sure!
From there me and my co-driver Gareth Roberts will travel to Portugal to compete in my first ever World Rally Championship Rally, the Rally de Portugal. It's the first round of the Fiesta Sport Trophy International, and we are seeded at No.90, and second Fiesta on the road. We will be facing stiff opposition from people, from all around the globe. It will be an amazing experience, and I hope to sap all the information I can from it. The rally starts and ends with a quick blast around the Algarve stadium, on a "head to head" style format, with two cars on the track at each time. On the Monday after the rally, I will travel to a special Ford World Rally team test, where I have been offered a spin with Jari Matti Latvala in this years Focus World Rally Car, something which I just couldn't turn down!
I travel home for a Day, and then make my way back up to Dundalk, for the Circuit of Ireland rally. This is the second round of the VK Fiesta Sport Trophy Ireland Series, in which I currently lie second in.
The weekend after sees me head to Carlisle to contest the Pirelli International Rally. The third round of the Kick Energy Fiesta Sport Trophy UK series, aswell as the second round of the British Rally Championship.
As you can see, it's a busy few weeks ahead, which I feel I am more than prepared for. I have kept my fitness to above standard, and I am ready to relish the challenge!
I shall keep my blog updated over the next few weeks, and I will give a daily update day by day when we are in Portugal.
Please continue to visit and stay tuned for more updates and reports on craigbreen.com
Craig

Monday 9 March 2009

The ups and down's!

Hi Guys,
Apologies for the long delay in updating the blog, it's been a busy few weeks!
2 weeks ago, me and my co-driver Gareth Roberts, embarked on our first two rally's together- In the same weekend!
On the Friday and Saturday, we participated in the Sunseeker rally in Bourmouth in my Fiesta ST. This was a shakedown for the Malcolm Wilson rally the following weekend. The weekend went extremely well, and we finished the rally 23rd o/a 1st in class, and second two wheel drive.
This was not the end however- We rushed from parc ferme and wen't to Bourmouth airport, and flew back to Ireland. On Sunday, we took part in the Carrick on Suir Forestry Rally, in the Citroen C2R2, which I campeign in the national junior rally championship. The day wen't extremely well, and we finished 7th overall, and won the juniors by nearly 2 minutes!
It was an excellent weekend, and the results reflected both of our performances.
Then, at the weekend just gone, we headed to Cockermouth, to take part in the first round of the Kick Energy Fiesta Sport Trophy UK, the Malcolm Wilson Rally.
We started the rally full of confidence, and this showed, as we held 2nd place after 3 stages, only a mere 13 seconds behind fiesta leader Kris Hall. However on stage 4, disaster struck. Half way's through the stage, while going extremely well, the gearbox failed, and we were forced to retire. It was gutting, but at the same time we were very happy with our pace, and we now have something to look forward to, next time around.
We now have a small break before heading to Wales to compete in the Bulldog International Rally.
Stay tuned for more updates,
Craig