BREEN TO MAKE EMOTIONAL RETURN TO TARGA FLORIO
Craig Breen will return to the Italian Rally Championshipcounting Targa Florio in Sicily this weekend, almost nine years since his co-driver
Gareth Roberts was killed on the island event.
Breen and Roberts were contesting what was then a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge when they went off the road on the first stage of leg two.
Roberts, from Wales, was killed instantly when an Armco barrier penetrated the front of their Munaretto-run Peugeot
207 S2000.
Breen was uninjured and bravely continued competing with the blessing of the Roberts family. But he’s carried an enormous emotional burden since that June day in 2012.
“The fact that I have such a bittersweet feeling about this beautiful island makes me sad,” said Breen. “I feel a little piece of my heart was taken away from me by Italy, but I also received so much from a country where I could nearly call home now.
“It’s incredible to think it’s coming up on nine years since that dreadful day. I think it’s clear to say there is not many days that I don’t think about
Jaffa [Roberts]. He is truly a part of my journey. And now my journey takes me back there, back to the Targa Florio.
“This is my decision, my idea. I want to go back and make nicer memories. I want to try and release the bad thoughts that I have about the island and the rally there.
“I am obviously nervous and a little bit anxious about being back there again, but my plan is to enjoy the rally and try to feel comfortable, I know it’s absolutely what Jaffa would have wanted.”
Breen, who will compete in a Hyundai i20 R5, is second in the Italian championship to Stefano Albertini after winning Rallye Sanremo last month.