Craig Breen

[ouvreur]

They are still working on this car:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4_HPkPGIb0

See, again, normally it would be interesting to have a bit of a look behind the scenes at a manufacturer team, but in this case it feels distasteful.

Sort of like 'look, we showed you first!!!' in a situation when it would be far more respectful to wait until it's done and the team can present it.

[Rallyper]

There are some things that just don't need to be in the public domain. Even if it is widely known, I would hope it wouldn't be shared on here.

That strategy isn´t good. It gives room for even more rumours which will never help in any case.
And things can be told and put in a way without being too specific.

[JRodrigues]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuFHY6QWwAAPS7x.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuFHY6RWIAEDpou.jpg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Sides are still undone on this picture.

Just for you... :rolleyes:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuFHb2nXoAIz0JD?format=jpg&name=large

[AlanaFord]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ft_jJaQXwAIE_EX?format=jpg&name=large
Really beautiful lyrics... I'll write them on my Hyundai flag...
Still can't believe...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Statement from Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul

Craig was laid to rest yesterday and it’s been a very emotional time for all of us.
April 19, 2023.

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.

Regarding the accident, we can say that Craig was participating in the pre-event test in Croatia. Road conditions were slippery and the car slid off the road at a relatively low speed and made contact with a wooden fence. A post from this fence intruded into the cabin through the driver’s side window.

The stage was closed immediately and the on stage medical team was rapidly on the scene.

We must mention that James Fulton was unhurt in the crash and our hearts go out to him. We are doing everything we can to support James at this time.

Craig was taken to hospital from the stage. As far as can be determined, Craig’s passing was instantaneous.

[Rallyper]

I think this is all we need to know.

[Destra quattro]

I think this is all we need to know.Agree...

[Eli]

I think this is all we need to know.

Doesn't make it any better, my only hope is if there's something to take from the accident they will, apart from that I'll try to keep my eyes dry this weekend...

[EstWRC]

Found this on autosport forums:

The drivers who had to go to Croatia came by the Breen family home on Sunday. There‘s a very poignant quote from Tänak (delivered via Craig‘s mother): “Ott told me, he’d always been envious how much Craig could enjoy the sport. How much he loved what he did.”

[Rallyest]

Found this on autosport forums:

The drivers who had to go to Croatia came by the Breen family home on Sunday. There‘s a very poignant quote from Tänak (delivered via Craig‘s mother): “Ott told me, he’d always been envious how much Craig could enjoy the sport. How much he loved what he did.”

Say what you will about Tänak and What image media paints of him, but he really knows what to say and when to say if needed. And none of us probably cant imagine how close he and Craig were

[Norm75]

Say what you will about Tänak and What image media paints of him, but he really knows what to say and when to say if needed. And none of us probably cant imagine how close he and Craig were

I will be the first to admit my opinion of Ott had waned a little in the last few years. My opinion counts for little but one Legacy of Craig’s unfortunate passing is my regard of Ott has gone up several notches with the warmth and high regard he appears to have had for Craig. The same can be said for Thierry. Both of their statements were fitting tributes that reflected the enthusiasm and joy Craig appeared to bring to his teams and colleagues.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Esapekka Lappi Rally @EsapekkaLappi
After shock, actually, it was clear decision to compete in Croatia. We will do this in memory of Craig, to his passion for rallying. It will be emotional weekend but let’s try to make the most of it.
#ForCraig

[doubled1978]

I everybody can agree that Craig absolutely would have wanted the guys to go and compete and have them on the door handles this weekend.
It says a huge amount for Craig that the other guys hold him in such high regard and loved his passion for the sport of rallying. You can tell that the guys really did like and respect him and that shows in the interviews.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuK-RXLXwAsmLFk?format=jpg&name=large

[er88]

Some lovely words here from Kris Meeke. Nice tribute from autosport.

https://youtu.be/VdgZA2VksDw

[Jarek Z]

Number 42 is free in the 3rd round of Portuguese championship:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/80489-rali-terras-daboboreira-2023/

[Andre Oliveira]

Yes, will be used by Meeke.

[Paul Hudson]

Yes, will be used by Meeke.

The No 42 will not be used by anyone for the rest of the year, decision by the FIA as a mark of respect to Craig.

[Andre Oliveira]

Read again and click on link.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Quick work by @RaceDepartment modder with DR 2.0 tribute livery ...

https://www.racedepartment.com/attachments/1-jpg.657372/

https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/2023-craig-breen-livery-hyundai-i20-rally1-hy-11-t-neuville-m-wydaeghe-croatia-rally-2023.59919/

[sinepikohv]

I must say that WRC's tribute to Craig that was shown at the start of the Power Stage broadcast was just beautiful. Made me tear up and that doesn't happen often.

For me, everyday life has resumed to normal after Craig's passing. But everytime I see a video of him or a picture on social media I get thrown back to the dark place where I fell when I saw the news he had died. Sometimes I can snap out of it, sometimes not. It's just... Ah, impossible to find the right words.

I had a few chats with Craig during the years but nothing special and we weren't close by no means, we had a minimal relationship. Nevertheless his passing brought out feelings that I've never felt before. The deepest emptiness, the deepest sorrow when I see the laughing face of the mayor of Brattby.

It is very unfortunate that fate can be so unjust. But Craig's passing does make me try to live life to the fullest. You were spot on Craig, life is very short indeed.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This one was definitely #ForCraig

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuZrUq5WYAE0mBJ?format=jpg&name=large

[Jarek Z]

On the 70th anniversary of EuropeanRally Championship, FIAERC.com is remembering Craig Breen’s 5 best achievements:
https://www.fiaerc.com/erc/news/erc/2023/erc---70--breen---s-five-of-the-best-remembered/

[Tenere]

From Brattby with love! Our mayor will be missed! RIP Craig2419

Skickat från min VOG-L29 via Tapatalk

[meh]

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-breen-meant-to-wrc-drivers/

Some words from Neuville, Tänak, Ogier, Latvala, Fourmaux, Katsuta, O. Solberg, Aaron Johnston

[SubaruNorway]

The song from WRC's tribute was just released, many was looking for it i saw
https://open.spotify.com/album/4cgZsHNVcoQbmchkDO8znv?si=4ybhTUFgQ8KcnbaIrAzjNg

[EstWRC]

It’s his birthday today. Never forgotten.

To be honest I still can’t believe it. Sometimes I totally forgot it and then I see some older footage where he is in and it strikes again.

[Eli]

Happy Birthday to Craig who would’ve celebrated his 34th birthday today and is probably smiling up there & laughing about the new stupid scoring system and would’ve loved Hyundai’s i20 livery this year. I bet he would’ve driven the rails of this car in Sweden & all the fast gravel events (& maybe some tarmac) and we would get to see those stage end interviews where he’s happy & laughing like last year. Still feels like a huge chunk of life and happiness (& competitiveness) missing from the WRC service park. Making our hearts beat ever so faster since we’re anxious for him to get that first win.

[spyros]

Happy Birthday to Craig who would’ve celebrated his 34th birthday today and is probably smiling up there & laughing about the new stupid scoring system and would’ve loved Hyundai’s i20 livery this year. I bet he would’ve driven the rails of this car in Sweden & all the fast gravel events (& maybe some tarmac) and we would get to see those stage end interviews where he’s happy & laughing like last year. Still feels like a huge chunk of life and happiness (& competitiveness) missing from the WRC service park. Making our hearts beat ever so faster since we’re anxious for him to get that first win.

Best post last 10 years.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Its strange we still havent had any more details of the accident from the team or the cause of death. You'd think after a WRC fatality it would get a full investigation or enquiry and would've revealed everything and any lessons to be learned.

[ictus]

Its strange we still havent had any more details of the accident from the team or the cause of death. You'd think after a WRC fatality it would get a full investigation or enquiry and would've revealed everything and any lessons to be learned.

I'm sure the ones that need to know - know. Others out of respect should mind their business

[seb_sh]

I'm sure the ones that need to know - know. Others out of respect should mind their business

I don't like this head in the sand way, some official report should be published wether it was a freak accident or they found some weakness in the Rally1s that needs to be improved. It doesn't have to go into details but a closed loop is usually not healthy.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This was the last we were told in April 2023:

"Hyundai Motorsport and the FIA are working together to review all aspects of the incident."

But no result of this review have been published.

If it was found to be a freak accident and nothing can be done to avoid a similar one then they should just confirm this.

[TypeR]

Every sensible person puts 1+1 together, no extra detailed explanation needed.

You didn't copy the whole section..

In April Abiteboul said:


“Road conditions were slippery and the car slid off the road at a relatively low speed and made contact with a wooden fence. A post from this fence intruded into the cabin through the driver’s side window.

As far as can be ascertained, there was no issue with any element of the car, the tires or the safety equipment.''


Let the champ be!

[denkimi]

there clearly are some serious issues with the tubular chassis concerning the puncturing of objects into the cockpit.
they put foam everywhere, but there is nothing made of solid metal anymore to stop things getting in.

but what happened to breen was a freak accident. you can never make a rally car completely impervious.

[Mirek]

there clearly are some serious issues with the tubular chassis concerning the puncturing of objects into the cockpit.

The issue is that penetration of a rally/race car by an object with small cross section is virtually impossible to prevent because the kinetic energy of the car is way too much for creating any sort of working protection. Moreover in most cases the objects penetrates the cockpit through the windshield or side windows. Even if you put a bullet proof glass (which is super heavy) it will not be enough to prevent penetration by something like a steel pipe at higher speeds. It's not an issue of a tube frame.

Just to illustrate what I am talking about. The WRC car with the crew weights around 1400 kg. If it is going 100 km/h it has a kinetic energy equivalent to a shot from this.
https://www.vhu.cz/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Kanon-proti-%C3%BAto%C4%8Dn%C3%A9-vozb%C4%9B-vzor-38-3.jpg

If you have an object with a small cross-section it will penetrate whatever you can build into a car. I remember I saw a railguard penetrating an engine block of a BMW X5 in a Kubica-style accident.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Breen's off was officially classsed as low speed. And the impact was side-on as the post went into the side window. None of this impact was anything like a shot from a howitzer.

Freak accident or not, I'd like to see it confirmed how the FIA saw it, and them clarify nothing can be done to prevent such a thing happening again.

[Mirek]

Breen's off was officially classsed as low speed. And the impact was side-on as the post went into the side window. None of this impact was anything like a shot from a howitzer.

Freak accident or not, I'd like to see it confirmed how the FIA saw it, and them clarify nothing can be done to prevent such a thing happening again.

Exactly. A shot from a pistol is 500J, that is 2000x less and an equivalent of a car moving by a speed of 2 km/h but you still need 20 mm thick glass to stop it. That is about 25 kg for a side window (glass alone, not a frame to hold it during a crash). For sure the bullet has a smaller cross section than a pole so the penetration ability will be lesser but for an idea about what energies we are talking about it is a good comparison I think.

[denkimi]

The issue is that penetration of a rally/race car by an object with small cross section is virtually impossible to prevent because the kinetic energy of the car is way too much for creating any sort of working protection. Moreover in most cases the objects penetrates the cockpit through the windshield or side windows. Even if you put a bullet proof glass (which is super heavy) it will not be enough to prevent penetration by something like a steel pipe at higher speeds. It's not an issue of a tube frame.

Just to illustrate what I am talking about. The WRC car with the crew weights around 1400 kg. If it is going 100 km/h it has a kinetic energy equivalent to a shot from this.

If you have an object with a small cross-section it will penetrate whatever you can build into a car. I remember I saw a railguard penetrating an engine block of a BMW X5 in a Kubica-style accident.
i will use fourmaux again as an example:

https://cdn.racingnews365.com/_1125x633_crop_center-center_85_none/210222_Fourmaux_MC_2022_02_0b3e5_frz_1400x788.png? v=1646236549

there is just nothing to stop objects coming in from the side. even things that would create just a big dent in a normal metal door could become lethal in these plastic cars.
They added a second hoop, but they should have also added a 1 or 2mm thick metal plate between the hoops and between the X in the doors instead of just foam.
it would add just a few kg's at max, but that would be the same for all so it doesn't matter.

[trykmann]

Windows are still unprotected.

[Steve Boyd]

A thin sheet of steel isn't enough. Anybody else here remember the Marcus Gronholm "Timo's ass …" quote when something came through the floor of the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAGbrM-MMRk

[Mirek]

i will use fourmaux again as an example:

https://cdn.racingnews365.com/_1125x633_crop_center-center_85_none/210222_Fourmaux_MC_2022_02_0b3e5_frz_1400x788.png? v=1646236549

there is just nothing to stop objects coming in from the side. even things that would create just a big dent in a normal metal door could become lethal in these plastic cars.
They added a second hoop, but they should have also added a 1 or 2mm thick metal plate between the hoops and between the X in the doors instead of just foam.
it would add just a few kg's at max, but that would be the same for all so it doesn't matter.

I think that here the door simply fell off. A layer of sheet metal on the door laying somewhere in the bushes would change nothing on the safety.

The proper request in that case is to request hinge and lock design which must keep the door shut during an accident (needs to be exactly defined by the rules) and in the same time can not get stuck. It's nothing new, every stock car needs to fulfill such requirement. I guess that something was done because I don't remember the cars loosing door anymore.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Exactly. A shot from a pistol is 500J, that is 2000x less and an equivalent of a car moving by a speed of 2 km/h but you still need 20 mm thick glass to stop it. That is about 25 kg for a side window (glass alone, not a frame to hold it during a crash). For sure the bullet has a smaller cross section than a pole so the penetration ability will be lesser but for an idea about what energies we are talking about it is a good comparison I think.

What I'm getting at is that a rally car collision at relatively low speed, side-on with a wooden fence, should not lead to the death of the driver.

But they all seem to just have accepted that it's ok...

[Mirek]

What I'm getting at is that a rally car collision at relatively low speed, side-on with a wooden fence, should not lead to the death of the driver.

But they all seem to just have accepted that it's ok...

There is no silver bullet here because the laws of physics are universal. Unless you want to watch a race of 3 tons heavy armoured cars an accident like that of Craig will always lead to a penetration of the cabin.

[Walach]

As Mirek said over and over again, laws of physics are universal... here the wooden slat went through the metal door like nothing and pierced into the seat



https://youtu.be/Pg5IhwnQmVo?si=QbXv2JuZ98LtPmxz&t=260

https://youtu.be/vsmrBJGfDbc?si=vEBdwSeQjyTZHzZp&t=37

[denkimi]

A thin sheet of steel isn't enough. Anybody else here remember the Marcus Gronholm "Timo's ass …" quote when something came through the floor of the car.


I think that here the door simply fell off. A layer of sheet metal on the door laying somewhere in the bushes would change nothing on the safety.

I don't mean a metal sheet in the door, I mean a 2mm metal plate welded to the rollcage. You can't stop everything because the driver still needs to see outside, but a lot of openings that he doesn't need could be closed way better than they are now.

https://i.ibb.co/JBsMZDp/rolkooi.jpg

[Mirek]

I don't mean a metal sheet in the door, I mean a 2mm metal plate welded to the rollcage. You can't stop everything because the driver still needs to see outside, but a lot of openings that he doesn't need could be closed way better than they are now.

https://i.ibb.co/JBsMZDp/rolkooi.jpg

Even if the comparison is very imperfect because of the penetrator cross section I'll go back to the pistol bullet. It has an energy equivalent to a WRC car moving at only 2 km/h but it can penetrate 4 mm of steel. A car moving at 20 km/h has 86x more energy. What You propose would help just a little and it would bring about 20 kg weight in places which are inconvenient for the vehicle performance.

[Jarek Z]

European Rally Championship remembers Craig Breen:
https://www.fiaerc.com/a/news/w27315_Moments-that-made-ERC-2023-great:-Breen-flies-to-Fafe-Power-Stage-win

[seb_sh]

Even if the comparison is very imperfect because of the penetrator cross section I'll go back to the pistol bullet. It has an energy equivalent to a WRC car moving at only 2 km/h but it can penetrate 4 mm of steel. A car moving at 20 km/h has 86x more energy. What You propose would help just a little and it would bring about 20 kg weight in places which are inconvenient for the vehicle performance.

Not saying it's not a fair point however surface area and materials matter too. A bullet is a concentrated mass made out of a relatively strong material. A piece of wood even if it's sturdy is not the same.

If they were to enhance the protection I suppose they would go from something carbon based instead of heavy metals. Circuit cars have such "survival cells" which are subjected to several tests including intrusion tests. F1 helmets are bulletproof exactly to protect against intrusion. Obviously a rally car is different but I'm sure they could do better.

Maybe it's too expensive for WRC but better is always possible.

[Steve Boyd]

What I'm getting at is that a rally car collision at relatively low speed, side-on with a wooden fence, should not lead to the death of the driver.

But they all seem to just have accepted that it's ok...
It came through the window.
There isn't a simple solution in the vehicle design so maybe they need to look at the roadside and either change the roads used or build protection on roadside hazards.
This is what they do on the Isle of Man for the TT races:
https://c7.alamy.com/comp/TRNXG9/a-red-telephone-box-on-the-isle-of-man-tt-course-wrapped-up-with-hay-TRNXG9.jpg

[Steve Boyd]

I don't mean a metal sheet in the door, I mean a 2mm metal plate welded to the rollcage.Why metal?
They make bullet proof vests from carbon and kevlar fibres, not steel sheet.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I wonder if the follow-up to this fatal accident wouldve been different if it had happened during a live WRC rally and not in a test ? Would there have to be a more official investigation as it was in an event ?

Also, if we accept that the car (side window) cant be made any safer from penetration, how about the drivers own personal safety equipment ? F1 and other sports are continually improving them, like in cricket where batsman's helmets now have the back of the neck protected following a fatality when one was struck by a ball at 90mph+...

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/66805723

[Steve Boyd]

I wonder if the follow-up to this fatal accident wouldve been different if it had happened during a live WRC rally and not in a test ? Would there have to be a more official investigation as it was in an event ?There would certainly have been a full FIA investigation. I'm not sure that happened in this case.



Also, if we accept that the car (side window) cant be made any safer from penetration, how about the drivers own personal safety equipment ? F1 and other sports are continually improving them, like in cricket where batsman's helmets now have the back of the neck protected following a fatality when one was struck by a ball at 90mph+...If it had been at an event there may well have been better protection of roadside furniture than for a manufacturer's test. In any case, looking at that incident, and the other video posted on this thread where a car went through a wooden fence, it would appear that wooden fencing is a lot more hazardous that you might expect.

[CeskyOndra]

Can't believe that tomorrow (13th April) is now 1 year without this great man..

[Eli]

On this date last year we lost a huge chunk of our sport & community’s heart, I wish it never would’ve happened in the first place.
I miss him in every rally he’s not competing, and it feels like a part of the WRC is dead since he’s been gone.
R.I.P Craig
#For_Breen

[SubaruNorway]

It's something missing on events for sure
https://youtu.be/CSvI-Xl7b0M

[Managarium]

https://i.postimg.cc/V6PgtqSZ/b1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/cCsc9dBQ/b2.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/wxV2ts9F/b3.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/1t0Hr8wm/b4.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/3NnFzztz/b5.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://i.postimg.cc/FsHZ0sRv/b6.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Fast Eddie WRC]

One year on and still no official report on the accident as Hyundai & FIA announced was to take place.

https://m.sundayworld.com/news/irish-news/investigation-launched-into-death-of-irish-rally-driver-craig-breen/a1060339143.html

[Managarium]

The Anatomy Of A Tragedy - The Safety Flaw Revealed By Craig Breen's Crash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7gxtS_0Zrg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

The Anatomy Of A Tragedy - The Safety Flaw Revealed By Craig Breen's Crash

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7gxtS_0Zrg

Thanks. Good to see I'm not the only one still questioning the exact reason for the fatality and the lack of an official FIA report.

[WRCStan]

One year on and still no official report on the accident as Hyundai & FIA announced was to take place.

https://m.sundayworld.com/news/irish-news/investigation-launched-into-death-of-irish-rally-driver-craig-breen/a1060339143.html

An investigation and report may have been produced but not necessarily made public. Doesn't have to be.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

An investigation and report may have been produced but not necessarily made public. Doesn't have to be.

But they announced there was to be one, so why do that if they're not going to release it ?

And even if they dont give details and just say they're satisfied it was a freak incident it would be better than silence.

[becher]

But they announced there was to be one, so why do that if they're not going to release it ?

And even if they dont give details and just say they're satisfied it was a freak incident it would be better than silence.

No offence, but because people like you would get their pitchforks ready if they didn't announce a investigation.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Why are people taking offence. Isnt it perfectly normal and usual to have an investigation into a fatal motorsport accident ?

All I want to know is why Craig Breen died and if his death icould or should have been avoided.

(Personally I think I deserve that, being I was one of his earliest supporters from 2010 when no-one else here was).

[WRCStan]

Isnt it perfectly normal and usual to have an investigation into a fatal motorsport accident ?

Yes, it's both the law and an FIA requirement. That no public prosecutions arose is the only answer you need. IMO you can read enough in the link you posted and see it was a terrible freak accident.

Perhaps don't chase it on the first anniversary if you don't want to irritate folk.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I remember Craig better than most and miss him in the sport. If now isnt also a time to raise questions then I'm sorry.

I just wonder why we've heard no more after a year...

https://sports.auto-moto.com/wrc/wrc-la-fia-veut-ameliorer-la-securite-en-wrc-apres-la-mort-de-craig-breen-2532

[becher]

Why are people taking offence. Isnt it perfectly normal and usual to have an investigation into a fatal motorsport accident ?

All I want to know is why Craig Breen died and if his death icould or should have been avoided.

(Personally I think I deserve that, being I was one of his earliest supporters from 2010 when no-one else here was).
I'm certainly not offended by your desire, it's totally understandable. Certain things are not meant to be public knowledge or at least there isn't a need for it to be public. I guess you and the other people here got a rough idea what happened and a public report confirming that wouldn't change anything or benefit in any way. The people who need to know surely got access to the required information.

[TypeR]

Would have been 35th birthday today :(
Still unbelievable..

Fly high Mr Breen!

[bandit12]

Yes.
Fly high Mr Breen!

[TypeR]

Pure emotions and big smiles :)
https://youtube.com/shorts/NiDlTJ5vpXw?si=Zv8nZTMXhOfuib4H

[Eli]

R.I.P Craig Breen, still sadly sadly missed, wish we could turn back time and see that no. 42 on that Hyundai for the rest of 2023 & both last and this season.