Former Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club member Craig Breen dies in crash in Croatia
33-year-old Waterford man received Mayoral reception in Carrick-on-Suir in 2010
Waterford rally driver Craig Breen, who has died in a crash in Croatia, was a former member of the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club.
He was participating in a pre-test event ahead of the Croatia Rally when the incident happened at approximately 11am Irish time this morning. His co-driver James Fulton was unharmed.
The 33-year-old, whose father Ray was a former Irish champion, took up full-time rallying in 2009.
He moved to the WRC Academy in 2011 and after moving up the junior and WRC2 ranks, he made his first WRC appearance when driving selected rounds for the Abu Dhabi Total World Rally team.
He had a series of podium finishes over the years.
Craig Breen was honoured with a Mayoral Reception hosted by Councillor Sylvia Cooney Sheehan, Mayor of Carrick-on-Suir, on January 29 2010.
The Mayoral honour followed his success in the National Junior Rally Championship and the announcement from Motorsport Ireland that he had been crowned the Young Rally Driver of the Year. In doing so he was awarded the 2009 Billy Coleman Trophy.
Craig Breen capped an unprecedented season that year by winning the Fiesta Sport Trophy International Shootout.
He first made an impression in the motorsport scene at the age of just 13 as an Irish karting cadet, and it was clear from that early age that he had a talent.
Numerous successes were achieved through his years in karting, setting down an excellent platform for his rallying career.
Sympathy is extended to his family and friends on their sad loss.