Multiple Fiesta SportTrophy International champion Craig Breen has rounded off a near-perfect season by winning the series' finale Shootout, held on Monday and Tuesday at the Ford team's rally headquarters in the UK.

Breen, aged 19 from Ireland, beat off challenges from 15 other finalists to take victory at the shootout, increasing his tally of victories this year to six after becoming FSTi champion, FST UK champion, FST Ireland champion, Irish Junior Rally champion and winning the Billy Coleman Award in his home country.

His Shootout prize includes a 12-month work experience contract with M-Sport, an apartment at the Ford team's Dovenby Hall HQ and the loan of a road car. He will also attend European WRC events with the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.

While Breen had been one of the favourites to take the title he faced stiff opposition over the two-day competition. The 16 competitors, who had qualified for the Shootout based on their performances in FST championships around the globe, faced a series of physical and psychological tests as well as a final driving challenge on a three kilometre stage in a GpN Fiesta ST at M-Sport's Greystoke Forest.

With all of their scores tallied, the final five candidates were interviewed by M-Sport Managing Director Malcolm Wilson. Breen was joined in the final group by Germany's Patrick Anglade, Northern Ireland's Mark Donnelly, Swede Mattias Wennman and Cedric de Cecco from Belgium.

However, Breen's ability behind the wheel shone through as he posted the fastest times in the forest with co-driver Gareth Roberts. The first part of his prize begins on Wednesday when he gets the chance to take the wheel of a Ford Focus RS WRC and receive tuition from Ford team-leader Mikko Hirvonen.

"Winning this title really has left me lost for words," said Breen. "I have had a fantastic debut season and to win the championship in that same year was incredible, but this is something else altogether. I had set myself the target of winning this at the start of the year and I am so pleased that I have managed to achieve that. It is a fantastic opportunity that I have been given to work with M-Sport and I can't wait to start."

Malcolm Wilson said: "Craig has shone above the rest during this competition. He has had a fantastic year to win the FSTi, FST UK and FST Ireland and he is a deserved winner."