ERC – Breen holds off Kajetanowicz in Ireland

Craig Breen (DS 3 R5) wins on home soil by winning the Rally of Ireland after battling with Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5). The Citroën driver took the lead following the retirement of Elfyn Evans (Fiesta R5) during the first stage but was constantly put under pressure by the reigning champion, notably after suffering a puncture following an impact against a stone.

The Pole ultimately lost around ten seconds behind but took the lead in the Championship with a 22-point lead over Alexey Lukyanuk, winner of the Canary Islands Rally (Spain), who was absent from this event.

Alastair Fisher (Fiesta R5) completed the podium, finishing almost a minute behind the winner. The Briton precedes Josh Moffett (Fiesta R5) and Jonathan Greer (DS3 R5) who took advantage of the retirement of Jaromir Tarabus (Skoda Fabia R5) in the last special.

Wojciech Chuchala (Subaru Impreza STI) wins in ERC 2 finishing close to the top ten. In ERC 3 and Junior, it was Lukasz Pieniazek (Opel Adam R2) who took victory, eleven seconds ahead of Chris Ingram (Adam R2).

Rally Ireland results

1. Craig Breen – DS 3 R5 1h54’16”1

2. Kajetan Kajenatowicz – Ford Fiesta R5 +10 »6

3. Alastair Fisher – Ford Fiesta R5 +56”4

4. Josh Moffett – Ford Fiesta R5 +1’40”1

5. Jonathan Greer – DS 3 R5 +2’07”0

6. David Bogie – Skoda Fabia R5 +2’55”6

7. Stephen Wright – Ford Fiesta R5 +4’36”1

8. Tom Cave – Ford Fiesta R5 +4’51”1

9. Joseph McGonigle – Skoda Fabia S2000 +5’52”2

10. Jaroslaw Koltun – Ford Fiesta R5 +6’26”2

Discover the report from the Rally Ireland in issue 2058 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.

Jacques-Armand Dupuis