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After SS3: ERC returnee Breen takes lead on “best bit of Tarmac in the world”

Craig Breen is into the rally lead after three stages of his FIA European Rally Championship return, winning on what he called the "best bit of Tarmac in the world".

Elfyn Evans, who won the opening two stages of the Circuit of Ireland, has retired with an overheated engine after a belt failure. The Welshman had reported a power steering issue at the end of SS2, though he was able to make the start of SS3 before the engine problem struck.

So fast was Breen's time in the massive 31.21-kilometre The Glens test that he may well have taken the lead regardless of Evans' demise. With a time of 16m06.8s, Breen was 24.1 seconds quicker than anyone else.

A thrilled Breen said: "That is the best bit of tarmac in the world! I loved every second of it. Incredible feeling, really good. This is really what Irish rallying is about!"

Prior to SS3 he had only been 0.9s ahead of Kajetan Kajetanowicz, but is now 25s in the clear heading to remote service. The Pole said: "For sure, it's the most difficult stage in my life! Hard to explain, so many crests, you can't write in your notes everything, we have too much information. Crazy, crazy stage. This is real rallying!"

After remote service in Balleymoney, the action will resume with the second run through Knockboy at 15h05. Click here for live results and text commentary.

Zdroj: fiaerc.com