History of Craig Breen in Timeline

Craig Breen was a talented Irish rally driver, most recently competing part-time for Hyundai in the World Rally Championship (WRC). He achieved significant success, securing the 2012 Super 2000 WRC title with class wins in prestigious rallies like Monte Carlo, Wales Rally GB, France, and Spain. Earlier in his career, Breen won the WRC Academy Cup in 2011, demonstrating his skill with victories at Rallye Deutschland and Wales Rally GB. The Academy title was closely contested, with Breen ultimately winning on a count-back of stage wins against Egon Kaur. He also won the 2021 Rentokil Historic Rally in his BMW M3 E30.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 1990: Craig Breen's Birth

Craig Breen was born in February 1990.

Others born on this day/year

1999: Karting Debut

In 1999, Craig Breen began his karting career in Ireland.

2000: Super 2000 world championship

In Rally de Catalunya, in November, he won the Super 2000 world championship.

2007: Rallying Debut

In 2007, Craig Breen began his rallying career, combining it with karting commitments.

2008: Karting in Europe

In 2008, Craig Breen combined his rallying with karting commitments in Europe.

2009: Full-Time Rallying and Championship Wins

In 2009, Craig Breen switched to full-time rallying, winning the Irish, British, and International Fiesta Sporting Trophies and the Fiesta Sport Trophy International Shootout, earning the title of Young Irish Rally Driver of the Year and the Billy Coleman Award.

2010: Ford Fiesta S2000 Debut

In 2010, Craig Breen debuted the Ford Fiesta S2000 in the British Rally Championship and the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, securing his first BRC victory at the Ulster Rally and finishing 2nd overall in the ITC.

2011: WRC Academy Debut and Championship Win

In 2011, Craig Breen competed in the WRC Academy, driving a Ford Fiesta R2. He won his first WRC event at the Rallye Deutschland and became the inaugural WRC Academy Cup champion with a win at Wales Rally GB.

2011: WRC Academy Cup Win

In 2011, Craig Breen won the WRC Academy Cup, after winning the Rallye Deutschland.

June 2012: Death of Gareth Roberts

In June 2012, Craig Breen's co-driver, Gareth Roberts, tragically died in an accident during the Targa Florio Rally.

2012: S-WRC Championship

In 2012, Craig Breen progressed to the S-WRC championship, driving a Ford Fiesta S2000. He won the opening round at Monte Carlo and led the championship after the second round in Sweden.

2012: 2012 Super 2000 WRC Champion

In 2012, Craig Breen won the Super 2000 WRC, securing class wins in Monte Carlo, Wales, France and Spain.

2013: Peugeot Rally Academy

In 2013, Craig Breen joined Peugeot Rally Academy, achieving five podium finishes and finishing 3rd overall in the ERC.

2014: First ERC Rally Win

In 2014, Craig Breen won his first ERC rally at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, driving a Peugeot 208 T16.

2015: Circuit of Ireland Rally Win

In 2015, Craig Breen and co-driver Scott Martin won the Circuit of Ireland Rally, fulfilling a long-time ambition.

2016: Citroën Total World Rally Team

In 2016, Craig Breen joined the Citroën Total World Rally Team, achieving his maiden Special Stage win and a podium finish at the Rally Finland.

2018: Rally Sweden

In 2018, Craig Breen finished second at the Rally Sweden.

2019: Joins Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT

In 2019, Craig Breen joined Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT for two events in the WRC campaign.

October 2021: M-Sport World Rally Team

In October 2021, Craig Breen joined M-Sport World Rally Team as their lead driver for the 2022 season.

2021: Rentokil Historic Rally Win

In 2021, Craig Breen won the Rentokil Historic Rally in Killarney, Ireland, driving a BMW M3 E30.

2021: Continued Campaign with Hyundai

Through to the end of the 2021 WRC season, Craig Breen remained with the Hyundai team on a part-time campaign, securing four podium finishes.

2022: Podium Finishes with Ford Puma Rally1

In 2022, Craig Breen achieved two podium finishes with the Ford Puma Rally1, with a second place in Italy and a third place on debut in Monte Carlo.

2022: First Full-Time WRC Campaign

In 2022, Craig Breen competed in all 13 rounds of the WRC, marking his first full-time WRC campaign.

April 2023: Craig Breen's Death and Funeral

In April 2023, Craig Breen tragically died at the age of 33 in a crash during a testing session for the Croatia Rally. His funeral took place on April 18, 2023, in Ferrybank.

April 2023: Retirement of Car Number 42

On April 17, 2023, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile announced that Craig Breen's car number 42 would be retired from the rest of the 2023 season in his honor.

2023: Return to Hyundai and Death

In 2023, Craig Breen moved back to Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT and achieved a second place finish in Sweden before his tragic death in a test before Rally Croatia.