There will be nothing normal about this week’s Croatia Rally. Such was Craig Breen’s reach in the World Rally Championship, no corner of the Zagreb service park will be untouched by Thursday’s tragedy.
Breen’s funeral takes place in his native Ireland on Tuesday at 1pm. The Mass will be streamed from The Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank here from 12:55pm local time.
Breen’s colleagues, fellow competitors and friends from around the world visited the family home in Waterford on Sunday and Monday, paying their respects to the much-loved 33-year-old.
Hyundai Motorsport has spent the weekend considering its position and whether or not to compete with Thierry Neuville and Esapekka Lappi in Croatia. A decision from the team will be delivered in the coming hours.
The vast majority of cars competing this week are likely to run with a mark of respect for Breen, with the crews and many service park personnel intending to wear black armbands.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala summed up the mood, saying: “Along with the rest of the WRC family, we are truly saddened following the sudden loss of Craig Breen.
“As well as being a top driver, Craig was a real enthusiast for rallying, and we shared the same passion for old rally cars and for the history of our sport.
“As we prepare for the next rally, our thoughts are with Craig’s family, friends and his colleagues within the service park.”
