Breen was delighted just to make the start of the event with a car once driven to victory on the legendary 1992 Circuit of Ireland Rally by his hero Frank Meagher.
“It’s taken two years to get the car to the masterpiece it is today,” said Breen. “When I first managed to track the car down, I could never imagine the end product could be as good as this. It honestly gives me goosebumps every time I see it.”
And after six of seven stages around the south of Ireland on Saturday, the results delivered precisely the same effect for the thousands of fans looking on.
Driving his ex-Meagher Sierra, Breen was tied with Jonny Greer in a Q8-liveried ex-Alex Fiorio Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4. It was like time – and the last 30 years – had stood still.
Sadly for the man who started his season on the Rallye Monte-Carlo podium, there would be no top-three finish to the year. A broken driveshaft ahead of the final stage ruled him out and left Greer to take the win across some of Ireland most famous asphalt.
Breen’s association with the Blue Oval comes to a close at the end of this month, following his decision to switch back to Hyundai Motorsport for next year.
Image: Cian Donnellan
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