For immediate release

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Peugeot Sport rally-ace Craig Breen is set to contest the Fel’s Point Circuit of Kerry in the much-anticipated new Peugeot 208 T16, successor to the 207 S2000. Breen, FIA World Academy winner 2011 and SWRC 2012 champion, and co-driver Scott Martin are using the second round of the Dunlop Irish National Rally Championship as a high-speed test session, ahead of the European Rally Championship-counting Circuit of Ireland Rally, two weeks later.

Waterford-man Breen, who has worked closely with Peugeot Sport on the development of the 208 T16, will compete for the first time in the new 208 T16 on the gravel roads of the Acropolis Rally in Greece on March 28^th – 30^th. Easter’s Circuit of Ireland then marks the car’s debut on an asphalt round of the ERC and Craig’s appearance in Tralee on April 6 will allow him and his co-driver Scott Martin precious competition time to evaluate the machine, before taking on his European rivals in Belfast. The team come direct from Greece to Kerry and will field an asphalt specification car in Tralee.

It will mark the first time that Irish and British rally fans will get to see the new 208 T16 driven in anger, which is quite a coup for the Fel’s Point Hotel Circuit of Kerry organiser, The Kerry Motor Club.

©Peugeot Sport

Fans are expected to flock to Tralee from all corners of the country to witness the historic maiden appearance of one of the most important and eagerly anticipated rally cars to be launched on the world stage in recent years.

Breen, who is currently fifth in the European series added: I am so proud to be given this chance to unleash the new 208 T16 at a home rally. I know the car so well, as I was heavily involved in its development in my role at the Peugeot Sport Academy last year. Now it is time to put the lion to the test in an actual competition. I want to sincerely thank my sponsors, Reens Car Sales Rathmore, Main Peugeot Dealers for Kerry and Total, for their huge support.

The Fel’s Point Hotel Circuit of Kerry has suddenly gained in stature as many of Breen’s rivals and the world’s motorsport media are now expected to keep a close eye on proceedings in Tralee and North Kerry on the weekend of April 5 and 6.

Fel’s Point Hotel Circuit of Kerry clerk of the course Jonathan O’Shea said: A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to make this happen. Kerry Motor Club is very proud to be part of this historic motorsport occasion and we look forward to offering a strong Kerry Motor Club welcome to our new French friends. The rally is already shaping up be a classic with all of the main Dunlop National contenders, like leader Declan Boyle already signed up. We have a huge overseas entry, led by Welsh man Hugh Hunter and the rally is already looking more and more like and international event.

The 208 T16 is a strategically important flagship product for Peugeot Sport. A true competition wildcat, it broke cover this weekend when Italian driver Paolo Andreucci finished 3^rd at the Rally Il Ciocco, 30 years after the legendary 205 T16’s introduction. Built for tarmac and gravel, the 208 T16’s aim is to conquer national and international championships in 2014.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-to-top”]

©Peugeot Sport

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Press Release One

Kerry Motor Club has released preliminary details of its Carlton Hotel Group Circuit of Kerry Rally which will run on April 6th.
The Tralee based event will be a counting round of the Dunlop Irish National Rally Championship and The Top Part West Coast Championship.

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Headquarters for the longest running rally in County Kerry will once again be the Carlton Hotel in the town and will feature around 160km of competitive action over classic North Kerry Stages.

Newly appointed Clerk of the Course Jonathan O’Shea and his team, recently, carried out an initial route survey in the Castleisland area and received a very positive response from local residents, many who are keen to see the rally return to their area after a break of a few years.

Mr O’Shea: “We cannot run these events without the good will of the residents who allow us the close roads for the day. I cannot thank them enough. We have chosen a route that will be a challenge to drivers, yet at the same time keeping local disruption to a minimum. I am looking forward to welcoming the national championship contenders back to Tralee after our opt-out year last season and promise them , and our regular drivers, the traditional Kerry Motor Club welcome.”

Kerry Motor Club has submitted its safety plans, event regulations and road closing requests to various statutory bodies and Motorsport Ireland and is awaiting approval from these bodies before full details of the route will be revealed. It is expected that the rally will run over 160kms of closed roads, on three different special stages that will be each repeated three times.