Craig Breen has admitted that retaining his Circuit of Ireland title has capped one of the most enjoyable weekends in his rallying career.
The Waterford native claimed his second successive success at the event with co-driver Scott Martin in their Citroen DS3 R5 last night, finishing 10.6 seconds ahead of the Fiesta R5 of Polish driver Kato Kajetanowicz.
The Ulster pair of Alastair Fisher/Gordon Noble, also in a Fiesta, were 45.8 seconds further behind in third - in what was the second round of the European Rally Championship.
"It’s a privilege to put my name on the board for the second time"
Kajetanowicz also finished runner-up last year to Breen but the Irish driver says it is something special to win the competition for a second time.
“We’re thrilled, that’s what we came here to try and do. It was one of the most enjoyable rally weekends I have ever done,” he told RTÉ Sport.
“It’s great to come back here and win this event on its own merit.
“There were some fantastic stages, a fantastic battle with Kato and many others so it’s a privilege to put my name on the board for the second time.
A puncture threatened to put his title ambitions on hold, but Breen says he was always confident they would have the edge on the chasing pack.
“I knew we had the speed at hand but unfortunately someone pulled rock out in front of us,” he said.
“In Hamilton’s Valley and we got a puncture there and dropped a couple of seconds to Kato.
“We pulled it back on the next one [stage] and we were really comfortable from there.”
