LAST UPDATE | 13 Apr 2023

IRISH RALLY DRIVER Craig Breen has died aged 33 following an accident in Croatia.

Breen’s team Hyundai Motorsport confirmed news of the tragedy, which occurred during the pre-event test ahead of Rally Croatia later this month.

Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the incident, the team confirmed.

The accident occurred near the northern town of Zlatar after the “driver’s car slid off a road and hit a wooden pole,” Croatian police said in a statement.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known. 

“Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and his many fans,” a team statement read.

“Hyundai Motorsport will make no further comment at this time.”

Hailed as “a world class driver and a world class person” and “a model competitor”, Waterford’s Breen was renowned as Ireland’s top rally driver.

He made his WRC debut as a teenager in 2009 and quickly rose to prominence, winning the €500,000 top prize at the WRC Academy championship in 2011 and the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (SWRC) in 2012.

He got his first taste of top-tier WRC racing with Ford Fiesta in 2014, and later joined Citroën where he claimed his first podium finish when third at Rally Finland in 2016, before going on to spells with Hyundai and M-Sport Ford.

He rejoined Hyundai ahead of the 2023 season, and equalled his career-best performance when he finished second at Rally Sweden last month.

“The Irish motorsport community is numbed by this tragic news,” Aiden Harper, President of Motorsport Ireland, said in a statement.

“Craig was a world class driver and a world class person.”

Motorsport Ireland described Breen as “a model competitor”.

“Whenever he got the chance, Craig still continued to compete on local events in Ireland and in recent months, support younger drivers.

“Earlier this year a sponsorship deal was announced that would see him directly supporting the Junior 1000 category within the Sligo Pallets Forest Rally Championship and as recently as last Tuesday, he attended a J1000 tuition day where 18 young drivers got to meet and learn from their hero.

“There was no greater advocate for Irish motorsport.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of world motorsport governing body Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, was among those to send condolences to Breen’s family and friends.

“On behalf of the FIA, I extend sincere condolences to the family & friends of Craig Breen following his passing during a private testing accident in Croatia,” he said in an FIA statement.

“Our thoughts & prayers are with his loved ones & the Rally community at this difficult time.”

“Shocking news,” Formula One star Valtteri Bottas posted on Twitter. “RIP @Craig_Breen.”

World Rally Championship said: “The WRC family is shocked and saddened to learn of Craig Breen’s passing.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of Craig at this incredibly sad time.”

Breen was also a road safety ambassador with the RSA/ The body paid tribute to him today, saying he “had a profound influence on the predominantly young men and women who follow the sport – conveying the need for them to ‘keep the race in its place’ ie, not to copy what rally drivers do on open, public roads.”

Breen recorded a series of online videos, which are still in use today, with the RSA and Motorsport Ireland, to demonstrate the safety differences between a rally car and an ordinary private car. He also voiced a series of radio adverts which aired on local radio in advance of rallying events, advising fans on how to keep safe both during and after a rally.

The RSA said:

It is one thing to be a successful and inspirational sports person, it is another thing to use that status to powerfully and positively influence your supporters to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

“Craig embodied this commitment of contributing to the greater good though his advocacy work with the RSA and Motorsport Ireland.”

Written by Niall Kelly and posted on the42.ie. Additional reporting by AFP.