The rallying world came to a standstill on April 13, 2023, when heartbreaking news emerged from Croatia: Craig Breen had lost his life in a testing accident. Breen’s car skidded off the rain-slicked road and tragically collided with a newly erected fence.
Breen’s accident cast a long shadow over last year’s Croatian World Rally Championship. Hyundai is also beautifully honouring the memory of the Irishman at next week’s event near Zagreb.
During the Croatian WRC event, Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Andreas Mikkelsen‘s Hyundai i20 N Rally1 cars will feature the Irish flag on both the roof and the bumpers. Additionally, the team will donate items in his name to an auction, with all proceeds going to the Craig Breen Foundation.
Rallying was Breen’s true passion, and there is no more fitting way to remember him.
“It is of course emotional coming to this event following the loss of Craig one year ago, but we want to honour him on our return and have tried to do so through both our charitable efforts and the addition of the Irish flag on our car,” said Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul.
“For both championships, and for Craig, we want to finish as close to the top step as possible – a win would be a fitting end to the weekend.”
Croatia Rally will take place next week from April 18 to 21. Hyundai driver Neuville will start the competition leading the championship standings.
