ERC - Craig Breen deprived of success in Valais

Winner on the field for the fourth time this year, after dominating the Swiss event, Craig Breen was finally stripped of his victory following a two-minute penalty for using an excessive number of tires.

Published on 31/10/2015 à 16:50

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ERC – Craig Breen deprived of success in Valais

Craig Breen (Peugeot 208 T16) had dominated from start to finish the Rally of Valais (Switzerland) to sign his fourth victory of the season at the end of the last event of the 2015 calendar. The Irishman, already victorious in Latvia, Ireland and the Azores (Portugal), had in fact won by almost 40 seconds in advance on Alexey Lukyanuk (Ford Fiesta R5), his closest pursuer.

“It’s a very important victory for me. I have had two wonderful years with the team. We had a good pace this year, particularly in specialized events. My pace was never in question, but my season could have been better”, he declared then.

Except that the Peugeot Rally Academy member was penalized two minutes after the final checks. In question, the use of twenty marked tires, while the regulatory quota allocated is normally eighteen rubbers. Also, Breen dropped to second place, while victory went to Lukyanuk (Ford Fiesta R5), already winner in Estonia this season.

Olivier Burri (DS 3 RRC) completed the podium after giving in to the Russian's attacks and ranked ahead Emil bergkvist (208 T16) and Florian Gonon (Peugeot 207 S2000).

After distinguishing himself at the wheel of his propulsion, Francois Delecour (Porsche 911 GT3) devait abandonner à deux spéciales de l’arrivée, après avoir chuté en huitième position suite à un changement de radiateur.

Videos of the Rallye du Valais

Discover the report of the Rallye du Valais in issue 2036 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.