The rally world is reeling from the death of Craig Breen, Hyundai’s Irish star who lost his life last week in a testing accident ahead of Rally Croatia. Such awful tragedy is so rare in the modern era that when it happens – as is still sadly inevitable, despite motorsport’s huge strides on safety – it’s almost impossible to take in.
Breen was 33, an extremely likeable and popular figure and had so much more to give his sport. This year, following a disappointing season with M-Sport, he had returned to Hyundai for a part-season in the World Rally Championship and was lining up for his second appearance of the season in the i20 N, having scored a brilliant second place in the snow of Sweden. But during a test on Croatia’s asphalt, his car is said to have collided with a pole. Co-driver James Fulton escaped injury, but Breen wasn’t so lucky. It’s devastating news.
THE SHOW GOES ON
In the shadow of such a loss, enthusiasm for Rally Croatia is hard to muster. But as it always has and must, the show rumbles on. Beyond the obvious human tragedy, the news sucks the wind out of the sails of a championship that has been shaping up to be a classic this season, in the wake of Sébastien Ogier’s stunning form. The part-timer leads the points after two victories from the first three rounds – impressive given that he sat out Sweden – and is back this weekend in Toyota’s GR Yaris for an event he hadn’t originally planned to enter.
TIGHT AT THE TOP
The Frenchman is three points clear of Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and a further one point ahead of fellow Toyota man and reigning champion Kalle Rovanperä. Rally Sweden winner Ott Tänak is fourth and will expect to bounce back from his Mexican disappointment in M-Sport’s Ford Puma. So that’s the WRC’s top four aces, in three different cars, separated by just nine points. Factor in Welshman Elfyn Evans, only 12 points down on Ogier, and it’s clear the WRC has much to relish. Or at least it did.
In Mexico, Toyota team boss Jari-Matti Latvala said a lack of pressure was key to Ogier’s form. “We’re still talking about the programme,” said the Finn. “Probably Séb could do more, but at the same time we have to be careful not to ask him too much. He’s doing what he’s doing [right now] because he’s happy and relaxed. We want to keep this.”
Such an upbeat mood will be history now. If anything, Breen’s fate might harden Ogier’s resolve to wind down his WRC commitments. Right now, who could blame him?
LACKING DYNAMICS
As you can read on p42, the British Touring Car Championship will end its long winte
