Craig Breen

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

16th April 2023, 12:10
Rallyper

Quote:

Originally Posted by becher

Well they discribe a certain behavior but they don't randomly insult people and discriminate certain conditions.

Oh yes, they insult as well. Take off your sunglasses.
16th April 2023, 12:41
mknight

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm75

And it’s all very well using some form of impenetrable material for windows but then what happens when a crew is trapped inside a burning vehicle and emergency crews can’t get in to save them?

You introduce tools that can cut the windows. Emergency crews have this already. Rally crews can have a small tool.
Along the lines of window breaking hammers on public busses.

Primary escape route is always the two doors. Also note that I was talking about sidewindows, not windscreen.

This level of "finding" an issue is like saying cars shouldn't have rollcages cause it makes it hard to climb out trough the boot after crash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by becher

What impact other than saving lives had the HANS device?

When introduced there were issues with limiting head movement, not matching seats, etc. In short, it changed how drivers sat in the cars. Most of those issues were fixed in a few years.

On top of that there were campaigns by rallydrivers (with support of some doctors) towards FIA claiming HANS caused increased spine injuries when car hit a bump/jumped at high speed, don't quite remember how it ended. (but obviously we have HANS today).

My point was that HANS had direct impact on drivers seating/working space. Compared to that changing side window materials is completely negligible.

But as always, it is enough for some people to cry about destroying the sport.
16th April 2023, 13:09
Norm75

You think a little hammer like on double decker bus would penetrate a window that a fence post hit head on at 100 clicks couldn’t. Cars catching fire and crews needing to get out quickly is a lot more common than freak accidents like Craigs.

Then there are accidents similar to Tanak ending up in a lake where breaking a window quickly if needed would be restricted.
16th April 2023, 13:25
Fast Eddie WRC

What happened is still not clear. Local reports state:

"There is conflicting information, from a piece of wooden fence breaking into the cockpit of the car and hitting Breen directly in the neck, to the fact that the car was almost intact, with neither the windshield nor the glass on the driver's door broken."
16th April 2023, 13:59
becher

Quote:

Originally Posted by mknight

You introduce tools that can cut the windows. Emergency crews have this already. Rally crews can have a small tool.
Along the lines of window breaking hammers on public busses.

Primary escape route is always the two doors. Also note that I was talking about sidewindows, not windscreen.

This level of "finding" an issue is like saying cars shouldn't have rollcages cause it makes it hard to climb out trough the boot after crash.

When introduced there were issues with limiting head movement, not matching seats, etc. In short, it changed how drivers sat in the cars. Most of those issues were fixed in a few years.

On top of that there were campaigns by rallydrivers (with support of some doctors) towards FIA claiming HANS caused increased spine injuries when car hit a bump/jumped at high speed, don't quite remember how it ended. (but obviously we have HANS today).

My point was that HANS had direct impact on drivers seating/working space. Compared to that changing side window materials is completely negligible.

But as always, it is enough for some people to cry about destroying the sport.

As far I can remember the HANS discussion was just a few drivers being picky idiots and in the end the "comfort" impact was negligible. Never heard about the claimed spine injuries, but I must say that is quite laughable considering it saves (maybe the most important) part of ones spine. Anyway thankfully the r resistance didn't last long.
16th April 2023, 14:32
flatout227

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3d070faddb.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
16th April 2023, 14:44
satnav

1 Attachment(s)

Funeral arrangements

Also a link to the live stream of the Funeral Mass ;

https://bit.ly/41utKbx
17th April 2023, 07:33
WRC

https://rip.ie/death-notice/craig-br...terford/532670
17th April 2023, 08:41
meh

There is a lot of off-topic going on here.

Please find and/or create appropriate topics for cars safety or "who insulted whom". At the moment it is like a bunch of guys are nagging and fighting on someones grave.

Let Mr Breen rest in peace and keep this topic for him only.
17th April 2023, 09:39
EstWRC

IMO it’s time to close this thread. Or at least tomorrow after the funeral

Has gone off topic and some bad sentences here
17th April 2023, 11:39
Jewy46

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubaruNorway

You wouldn't normally crash there so early in the corner either, but there was some water running across the road just at the breaking i saw, just one of those freak accidents.

Terribly sad, he will be missed a lot. I remember thinking a few times lately that Craig was the only one i got good footage of on every stage, always pushing and enjoying himself. The tricky jump in Oittila in the dark in 21 when no one else was jumping and the "Yeeehaaa" corner in Sävar this year are som of my best recent memories.
Rest easy Craig

I am still in a state of absolute shock about everything. In time I hope to put some words express how much Craig meant to us all in our group that went to support him particularly in Finland.

But I just want to thank you Tor for capturing so many moments where we watched Craig at his ultimate best. You seemed to be there so many times when we were cheering him on and those moments are there forever to look back on thanks to you.

This one has to be my favourite. Craig actually waved at us here (not that we could see that) and it was mentioned on WRC+ by Julian and Craig himself said he spotted a few of us in a "right good spot" at the end of the stage.

Attachment 2410

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1277652343176013

We feature in most of Tor's video in fact, waving the Irish flag for Craig. Those are memories I will cherish forever, but oh my will I miss cheering him on.
17th April 2023, 11:39
Fast Eddie WRC

We should keep this thread open but just for peoples memories of Craig and his legacy.
17th April 2023, 11:58
J4MIE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norm75

You think a little hammer like on double decker bus would penetrate a window that a fence post hit head on at 100 clicks couldn’t. Cars catching fire and crews needing to get out quickly is a lot more common than freak accidents like Craigs.

Then there are accidents similar to Tanak ending up in a lake where breaking a window quickly if needed would be restricted.

Some types of bullet proof glass you can break easily from the inside, so yes it’s definitely possible.

Crews already have to carry a tool within reach to break a window or cut seat belts to help with quick exit.

Nothing is impossible - safety never stops.
17th April 2023, 14:19
Jarek Z

"Ciao Breen" at the Rally Regione Piemonte in Italy last weekend:
https://toyotagazooracing.com/-/medi.../041702_01.jpg
17th April 2023, 14:29
Jarek Z

Quote:

Originally Posted by EstWRC

IMO it’s time to close this thread. Or at least tomorrow after the funeral

Has gone off topic and some bad sentences here

In my opinion this thread should remain open.

Hyundai Motorsport pays tribute to Craig Breen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7TognXCwL0
17th April 2023, 15:55
Fast Eddie WRC

Hyundai to compete in Croatia in memory of Craig...

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/h...lans/10457577/

WRC / FIA retire #42...

https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/w...r-42/10457600/
17th April 2023, 16:18
EstWRC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarek Z

In my opinion this thread should remain open.

Hyundai Motorsport pays tribute to Craig Breen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7TognXCwL0

And what do we post here after some weeks?
17th April 2023, 16:32
er88

The thread will naturally fall down the page, but people will not forget Craig and in a years time - I'm sure people will be back in to pay their respects. I'm sure I've seen Colin McRaes thread pop up on anniversaries of his death - Richard Burns too. I don't see a problem leaving it open, it was only derailed by NOTs language winding folk up
17th April 2023, 17:26
Jarek Z

Quote:

Originally Posted by EstWRC

And what do we post here after some weeks?

It is not mandatory to keep posting without end, really! :D
17th April 2023, 18:08
SubaruNorway

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewy46

I am still in a state of absolute shock about everything. In time I hope to put some words express how much Craig meant to us all in our group that went to support him particularly in Finland.

But I just want to thank you Tor for capturing so many moments where we watched Craig at his ultimate best. You seemed to be there so many times when we were cheering him on and those moments are there forever to look back on thanks to you.

This one has to be my favourite. Craig actually waved at us here (not that we could see that) and it was mentioned on WRC+ by Julian and Craig himself said he spotted a few of us in a "right good spot" at the end of the stage.

Attachment 2410

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1277652343176013

We feature in most of Tor's video in fact, waving the Irish flag for Craig. Those are memories I will cherish forever, but oh my will I miss cheering him on.

I'm happy to hear that, great minds think alike when it comes to finding good spots i guess! ;)
It's always been a pleasure, it really makes the footage better with some passionate fans and some Irish flags in the background so don't stop going to events! I remember he had waived at you guys in Ässämäk 2, It's at 5:10.
I've spent the weekend digging through the archives and made a longer video, so maybe you can find something you haven't seen before also, added some more of the guys singing the national anthem in Finland 21 at the end also. My first time watching Craig and Gareth was all the way back at Rally Finland 2010 which was my first time traveling by plane on my own. I've unfortunately never met Craig personally but before Rally Sweden this year he shared a couple of my clips from Rally Sweden 2020 on his instagram story looking forward to the event and imagining what it would be like driving a Metro 6R4 down that flat out downhill at Hof-Finnskog. So that was cool to see :)
I think this thread should be used to share some stories if someone here has something to share.
https://youtu.be/CSvI-Xl7b0M
17th April 2023, 22:43
Corcaíoch

I rarely post here and have no great story to share about Craig Breen but felt like sharing some thoughts all the same. (Apologies for the long post)

It’s been hard to find the words to describe Craig Breen’s loss over the last few days. In spite of being an avid Irish WRC fan I won’t be a hypocrite and claim that I saw him as a future WRC champion. But that wasn’t the point, what he undoubtedly was to me however and to many more was a fellow countryman living out our dreams at the highest level. He was Ireland’s most successful driver ever on the WRC stage. He was an inspiration, an Irish rally driver for us to support internationally and to be proud of.

Rallying is popular in Ireland and national rallies regularly have huge entry lists but Irish drivers rarely make much of an impression at European or WRC level. Growing up my rallying heroes were drivers like Sainz, Makinen, Gronholm, it barely even occurred to me as a young fan that an Irish driver could compete at that sort of level. Breen changed that.

Winning in 2011 and 2012 started the change that but his WRC career, factory drives, and multiple podiums really were an inspiration to Irish rally fans. It might be harder for fans from some more successful countries to fully understand that but when your country only has one driver to ever achieve this sort of success it really does change how you view rallying at the highest level. To us Irish rally fans he was living the dream and he became what all young drivers aspired to (and what older fans like me daydreamed of being)

What also stands out to me, was Breen’s love of the sport and his love of competing in local Irish events. I didn’t know him personally but often saw him at service or during Irish rallies and from what I saw as a fan and what I heard from other competitors it seemed like his success never went to his head and he never acted like the big star at a small rally.

Rallying and Irish rallying in particular is a much poorer place without him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
18th April 2023, 02:17
daveR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corcaíoch

I rarely post here and have no great story to share about Craig Breen but felt like sharing some thoughts all the same. (Apologies for the long post)

It’s been hard to find the words to describe Craig Breen’s loss over the last few days. In spite of being an avid Irish WRC fan I won’t be a hypocrite and claim that I saw him as a future WRC champion. But that wasn’t the point, what he undoubtedly was to me however and to many more was a fellow countryman living out our dreams at the highest level. He was Ireland’s most successful driver ever on the WRC stage. He was an inspiration, an Irish rally driver for us to support internationally and to be proud of.

Rallying is popular in Ireland and national rallies regularly have huge entry lists but Irish drivers rarely make much of an impression at European or WRC level. Growing up my rallying heroes were drivers like Sainz, Makinen, Gronholm, it barely even occurred to me as a young fan that an Irish driver could compete at that sort of level. Breen changed that.

Winning in 2011 and 2012 started the change that but his WRC career, factory drives, and multiple podiums really were an inspiration to Irish rally fans. It might be harder for fans from some more successful countries to fully understand that but when your country only has one driver to ever achieve this sort of success it really does change how you view rallying at the highest level. To us Irish rally fans he was living the dream and he became what all young drivers aspired to (and what older fans like me daydreamed of being)

What also stands out to me, was Breen’s love of the sport and his love of competing in local Irish events. I didn’t know him personally but often saw him at service or during Irish rallies and from what I saw as a fan and what I heard from other competitors it seemed like his success never went to his head and he never acted like the big star at a small rally.

Rallying and Irish rallying in particular is a much poorer place without him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

My exact thoughts too!

WRC and Motorsport in general has suffered a great loss this past week, but the loss to Irish rallying is indescribable.
Breen's passion for rallying at home was so evident and it nearly became the norm for him to enter events up and down the country lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6EN6aOUCkg
18th April 2023, 08:55
Fast Eddie WRC

Mourners gather for Craig Breen's funeral at 1pm today...

https://www.rte.ie/sport/motorsport/...reens-funeral/
18th April 2023, 08:56
Bishop 12

Truer words where never spoken well articulated it definitely has left a huge hole in our hearts and in our rally life
18th April 2023, 09:45
Jewy46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corcaíoch

I rarely post here and have no great story to share about Craig Breen but felt like sharing some thoughts all the same. (Apologies for the long post)

It’s been hard to find the words to describe Craig Breen’s loss over the last few days. In spite of being an avid Irish WRC fan I won’t be a hypocrite and claim that I saw him as a future WRC champion. But that wasn’t the point, what he undoubtedly was to me however and to many more was a fellow countryman living out our dreams at the highest level. He was Ireland’s most successful driver ever on the WRC stage. He was an inspiration, an Irish rally driver for us to support internationally and to be proud of.

Rallying is popular in Ireland and national rallies regularly have huge entry lists but Irish drivers rarely make much of an impression at European or WRC level. Growing up my rallying heroes were drivers like Sainz, Makinen, Gronholm, it barely even occurred to me as a young fan that an Irish driver could compete at that sort of level. Breen changed that.

Winning in 2011 and 2012 started the change that but his WRC career, factory drives, and multiple podiums really were an inspiration to Irish rally fans. It might be harder for fans from some more successful countries to fully understand that but when your country only has one driver to ever achieve this sort of success it really does change how you view rallying at the highest level. To us Irish rally fans he was living the dream and he became what all young drivers aspired to (and what older fans like me daydreamed of being)

What also stands out to me, was Breen’s love of the sport and his love of competing in local Irish events. I didn’t know him personally but often saw him at service or during Irish rallies and from what I saw as a fan and what I heard from other competitors it seemed like his success never went to his head and he never acted like the big star at a small rally.

Rallying and Irish rallying in particular is a much poorer place without him.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

I said I wanted to put some words to my feelings and thoughts about Craig but this piece by Corcaíoch touches on so much on what I wanted to say, and you've put it much better than I ever could.

Today we lay to rest our greatest ever Irish rallying hero and although it's terrible knowing what could have been.
But we should be forever for what he gave us this past decade or so, memories that will last long after any of us have passed on.

Go raibh maith agat Craig :heart:
18th April 2023, 10:09
Jewy46

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubaruNorway

I'm happy to hear that, great minds think alike when it comes to finding good spots i guess! ;)
It's always been a pleasure, it really makes the footage better with some passionate fans and some Irish flags in the background so don't stop going to events! I remember he had waived at you guys in Ässämäk 2, It's at 5:10.
I've spent the weekend digging through the archives and made a longer video, so maybe you can find something you haven't seen before also, added some more of the guys singing the national anthem in Finland 21 at the end also. My first time watching Craig and Gareth was all the way back at Rally Finland 2010 which was my first time traveling by plane on my own. I've unfortunately never met Craig personally but before Rally Sweden this year he shared a couple of my clips from Rally Sweden 2020 on his instagram story looking forward to the event and imagining what it would be like driving a Metro 6R4 down that flat out downhill at Hof-Finnskog. So that was cool to see :)
I think this thread should be used to share some stories if someone here has something to share.
https://youtu.be/CSvI-Xl7b0M

Thanks again Tor. Great video, amazing the amount of footage you have. Some hidden gems there.
The bit at the end of us singing the national anthem to pictures of Craig has me in tears again.

I think the spot he waved in Ässämäki 2 from 2022 was at 0:15 though?

I'm actually trying to get the video of his stage end interview from that if anyone could help me?
18th April 2023, 11:44
Rallyest

So hard seeing James, cant imagine what he is going through, good to see that Dani and Paul can be there.
18th April 2023, 11:46
er88

Hope he gets all the support he needs. Can't imagine the trauma
18th April 2023, 12:16
rp

Unbelievable sad to see :( Rally in peace Craig!
18th April 2023, 12:39
Fast Eddie WRC

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ft_zX_vW...pg&name=medium
18th April 2023, 13:23
jmwachuya

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rallyest

So hard seeing James, cant imagine what he is going through, good to see that Dani and Paul can be there.

Sorry to him, difficult situation..but he will overcome this eventually.
Any link to follow the proceedings?

Sent from my OPPO F1s using Tapatalk
18th April 2023, 13:26
Fast Eddie WRC

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ft_jJaQX...jpg&name=large
18th April 2023, 15:37
sti123

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmwachuya

Sorry to him, difficult situation..but he will overcome this eventually.
Any link to follow the proceedings?

Sent from my OPPO F1s using Tapatalk

https://www.memoriallane.ie/livestream/
Recording is still there, RIP Craig...
18th April 2023, 16:27
Mk2 RS2000

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rallyper

I really don´t like words like yours either. But you use your freedom and say them as well...

Well said
18th April 2023, 17:43
SubaruNorway

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewy46

Thanks again Tor. Great video, amazing the amount of footage you have. Some hidden gems there.
The bit at the end of us singing the national anthem to pictures of Craig has me in tears again.

I think the spot he waved in Ässämäki 2 from 2022 was at 0:15 though?

I'm actually trying to get the video of his stage end interview from that if anyone could help me?

No problem! Not all of it back in those days were the best, more prepared and better equipment these days!
Sorry, i meant on the onboard, you can see it on the face cam.
Must have been on the All live broadcast, i skimmed the highlights, maybe some of our finish friends has contacts in NEP maybe.
18th April 2023, 19:06
seb_sh

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubaruNorway

I'm happy to hear that, great minds think alike when it comes to finding good spots i guess! ;)
It's always been a pleasure, it really makes the footage better with some passionate fans and some Irish flags in the background so don't stop going to events! I remember he had waived at you guys in Ässämäk 2, It's at 5:10.
I've spent the weekend digging through the archives and made a longer video, so maybe you can find something you haven't seen before also, added some more of the guys singing the national anthem in Finland 21 at the end also. My first time watching Craig and Gareth was all the way back at Rally Finland 2010 which was my first time traveling by plane on my own. I've unfortunately never met Craig personally but before Rally Sweden this year he shared a couple of my clips from Rally Sweden 2020 on his instagram story looking forward to the event and imagining what it would be like driving a Metro 6R4 down that flat out downhill at Hof-Finnskog. So that was cool to see :)
I think this thread should be used to share some stories if someone here has something to share.
https://youtu.be/CSvI-Xl7b0M

Nice video! Craig was exciting to watch. Kept thinking as I was watching that he would've gotten at least one win eventually. Posts like yours or Corcaíoch bring a fitting tribute to Craig, thanks for that.
18th April 2023, 19:38
Jarek Z

I've just come across a nice T-shirt. I didn't know Craig was driving Metro 6R4:
https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/...35526860.NL9AC
18th April 2023, 20:16
satnav

This is a video on youtube of Craig in the 6R4;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8xbH1057fY

Do a search on Youtube, there are loads of Craig that year in the Killarney Historics
19th April 2023, 04:56
AnttiL

It’s his dad’s car, but one of his favourites
19th April 2023, 05:32
Hartusvuori

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnttiL

It’s his dad’s car, but one of his favourites

In the book Icons of Irish Rallying (2020), Craig Breen wrote how his father Ray bought first Metro when Craig was five and he got hooked by the looks and especially by the sound of the machine. In 2018 6R4 returned to his father's garage. By the end of 2018 Breen's contract with Citroën was discontinued so he was out of WRC drive after Rally Australia. His sister lived in Australia and he wrote that it was common for him to stay at her sister's home after the Australian event. That year he needed it more than before. His father was there also, seeing his son in a difficult period, and he suggested to Craig that what about doing a rally with 6R4, knowing his son loved that car. No pressure, having fun, a kind refreshing the love for rallying kind of thing. Craig called Paul Nagle on the spot and asked what would it take to arrange a 00 car spot on Killarney historics and Paul was on it from the go. A few days later everything was arranged.

"If only the camera in the car was pointing towards our faces as we made our way up the stage (Molls Gap), I was smiling from ear to ear. Not just for the emotions of being back in a 6R4, but being home."

----

We know how in 2019 Craig and Paul drove in Ireland and drove several events here and there, winning everything. It was really about getting back in the good mood. In June 2019 Hyundai had made the offer for Craig and Paul to drive in Rally Finland with them and so Craig was back in the top of the sport.

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page