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Fight Back Begins on Friday for Breen

Craig Breen Rallying: Pirelli International Rally Event Preview

Twenty year old Craig Breen, had a full grasp of the Midas touch last season where everything turned to gold, that success even spilled into the start of this year with the euphoria that surrounded the launch of his new car and a 2nd overall finish on the Galway International Rally as he debuted the Kick Energy Ford Fiesta S2000, but retirement at the Bulldog and a subsequent accident on the Circuit of Ireland has left Craig watching from the sidelines as others picked up points. Next weekend the Fiesta S2000 will be in fight back mood as Craig and Gareth begin to put their season back on track. "This year was always going to be hard" states Craig "For me to achieve even half what I did last year was going to be next to impossible, but we are all very dedicated in the team and I remain fully focused, my trip to WRC Turkey is a great example of the ups and downs in rallying and how fast fortunes change. On Friday after completing day one, I was on the crest of a wave, leading the FSTi field and 19th overall but by Saturday evening I was sitting by the road side with only three wheels on the car. Then as the rally drew to a close on Sunday, I had recorded my highest overall World Rally result. This is just one example of how unforgiving rallying can be or on the other hand how rewarding it can. Every time I get behind the wheel I remind myself of how privileged I am”.

“It will be great to return to Carlisle. I have plenty of great memories from last season’s event. The Pirelli was my first win in the UK FST Championship, with the rally going down to the final stage where I set fastest time. We also went on to finish 10th overall and first 2WD home but the icing on the cake came when I was selected the Pirelli star driver”.
The rally will be located in Carlisle using the Kielder forest, the 2010 rally retains the popular Friday night and Saturday format with the 2010 event returning to the popular rally base at the prestigious Carlisle Racecourse.

A border city, and the most northerly in England, Carlisle predominantly spans the flood plain of the River Eden. Commercially, it is linked to the rest of England via the M6 motorway, and to the Scottish Lowlands via the A74 (M) and M74 motorways. Although a 20th century creation, the city traces its origins to a 1st-century Roman outpost associated with Hadrian's Wall. The Brythonic settlement that expanded from this outpost was destroyed by the Danes in 875. Thereafter the region formed part of the Southern Uplands of Scotland, until colonised under King William II of England in 1092. William II built Carlisle Castle, which houses a military museum. Carlisle Cathedral, founded in the 12th century, is one of the smallest in England.