How WRC is remembering Craig Breen this weekend at Croatia Rally
Craig Breen sadly passed away last Thursday in a pre-event crash which saw some beautiful tirbutes from around the WRC Service Park and wider motorsport community and now all eyes are on Croatia Rally one week on.
Hyundai, the team Craig Breen drove for announced on Wednesday that they will be running a special Irish flag inspired livery this weekend. The livery is a tribute to Craig's Irish roots and the Irish rallying community of which Craig was a big part of.
Hyundai team principle Cyril Abiteboul said in a statement "Craig was laid to rest yesterday and it’s been a very emotional time for all of us. Emotions are still raw and there has been an amazing outpouring of grief for Craig, who was an incredible person to know, as a team-mate, competitor and friend."
WRC will be holding moments of reflection across the weekend. The first was on Wednesday in the service park where teams, media and others came together for a moment of silence along with a group photo in memory of Craig.
The second moment of reflection will be on Thursday night at the ceremonial start. When it is Craig's time to cross the startline a video will be played along with a moments silence to remember the Irishman.
Every competitor in the rally will be running a black sticker on the side of their cars with Craig's name on them as well. Toyota and Ford have also announced that they will be only making two cars elligible for manufacturers championship points this weekend as a mark of respect and solidarity.
Running up to the Croatia Rally earlier in the week Hyundai were considering pulling out of the event entirely. In the end the team have decided along with Craig's family it would be right to use this weekend to commemerate his memory and compete as planned because it would have been what Craig wanted as well.
The final moment of relfection will be on Sunday with the podium celebrations where another moment of silence will be held and drivers will be asked not to celebrate on the podium as usual with the spraying of champagne.