Craig Breen, a 33-year-old Irish driver for Hyundai’s plant WRC platoon, was killed momentarily while testing for next week’s Croatia rally, reports Autosport. Breen’s Hyundai I20 WRC went off the road and crashed during a platoon test in Poland.
His carpooler, James Fulton, was unharmed. “Hyundai Motorsport is very sad to confirm that motorist Craig Breen has lost the moment of his life in a crash during a pre-event test for the Croatia Rally,” Platoon said in a statement.
James Fulton was not injured in the incident, which happened just after noon. Hyundai Motorsport extends its deepest sympathies to the Craig family, the Musketeers, and the Suckers. Hyundai Motorsport has no comment at this time.”
Breen rejoins Hyundai’s WRC woes, this time after a smooth 2022 with the M-Sport Ford platoon. He last competed at Rally Sweden, where he finished a career-best-equal 2nd. Over 81 events, Breen has Has achieved several milestones in his WRC career, which began in 2009.
In 2011, he won the Junior WRC Academy Series and in 2012, he won the WRC’s Super 2000 Series. In the European Rally Championship, he finished 3rd in 2013 and 2014 and 2nd in 2015, covering four events in those three seasons. won. His career was also beset by tragedy.
A 2012 crash led to the death of carpooler Gareth Roberts and Breen is celebrated for his presence in the sport. Born in the Irish city of Waterford, Breen is the son of Irish rally champion Ray Breen and raced karts before switching to rallying in 2009. He returned to Hyundai this time and was third in the platoon.
In the auto, he was replaced by Dani Sordo.” The WRC family was shocked. And it is heavy to learn of Craig Breen’s death,” the series said in a statement.” Our thoughts and condolences go out to Craig’s family and the Musketeers at this sad time.”
