Breen fears more time loss on Rally Liepāja-Ventspils

Craig Breen says he’s resigned to lose more time in the battle for victory on Rally Liepāja-Ventspils when the FIA European Rally Championship qualifier resumes shortly with stage seven, Ventbunkers.

Breen, in Peugeot 207 Super 2000, trails the Ford Fiesta Regional Rally Car of Jari Ketomaa by one second after six stages. He said the high-speed nature of the Ventbunkers and Neste Oil runs will affect his overall performance this afternoon.

Despite going to great lengths to praise the handling of his Peugeot Rally Academy-Saintéloc entry, the 23-year-old Irishman explained that his normally-aspirated car was struggling to keep up with the turbocharged example of his rival.

“The Regional Rally Car can do up to 200kph and this car can only do 170kph or thereabouts,” said Breen. “When I came to the end [of stage six] I knew straight away I was going to drop some time [and the lead]. Overall we’re still in a good position and we can put up a good fight but if he takes more time again I will not be surprised. I’m just proud to be fighting with the likes of Jari and I’m determined to make the most of it although obviously I’d like to be leading tonight for the [seven] bonus points I could get.”