Craig Breen continues his World Rally Championship asphalt début with a fifth place after Day 2 at the 2016 Tour de Corse – Rallye de France.
The Citroën driver set the fourth and sixth best times on SS5 and SS6 respectively before the rain came down on the Corsican asphalt in the afternoon.
Breen was at one point after SS7, more than half a minute behind the fourth-placed Volkswagen of Jari-Matti Latvala.
The Irishman managed at the final stage of Day 2 to reduce the gap to Latvala to +23.6 seconds behind the 2015 Tour de Corse-winner coming into the final day of the rally.
Breen said “Once again, I’m very pleased how today’s leg went. The only really frustrating part of the day was at the end of SS7, when I got caught in the rain. Starting quite far back in the running order counted against me, because the rain just got heavier and heavier.
“I felt better after setting the third fastest time on the next stage and overall, it’s been a positive day. I don’t think I could ask for much more, really. I can feel that my confidence is growing as we get through more stages.
“I’ll try to finish the job tomorrow. Jari-Matti isn’t too far ahead, but I won’t be trying to go after him. I would be delighted to finish in the top five.”
