With a motorsport community in mourning, Slieverue native and Hyundai Motorsport WRC driver Craig Breen is being remembered at this weekend’s Croatia Rally, underway in Zagreb.
Teams and colleagues gathered on Thursday for a special video tribute ahead of shakedown while cars and teams are carrying visual tributes to the 33-year-old across the latest event in the WRC calendar. Breen was killed in a pre-event test on April 13 when his car collided with a fence. He was laid to rest in Ferrybank earlier this week.
Hyundai Motorsport had already confirmed that Breen’s race number (42) was being retired for the remainder of the season while their fleet this weekend will be decked out in special Irish-themed liveries.
Hyundai Motorsport team principal Cyril Abiteboul spoke to media this week outlining why racing continues.
“It was clear from the feedback from all stakeholders, and Craig’s family and friends, that the competitive spirit of Craig would have wanted this weekend’s rally to continue and for his team-mates to participate. We thought long and hard about how to do this and how best to honour Craig. To this end, we are contesting the event with two cars, both running with a special livery to honour Craig, his Irish roots and his beloved Irish rally community.”
“Craig was a wonderful person and that is true of his family and friends. The rallying community has really pulled together and it’s a mark of the high regard with which Craig was held.”
