This weekend’s Moonraker Forestry Rally, the second round of the Irish Forestry Championship, has been postponed in the wake of Craig Breen’s passing.
Breen, 33, succumbed to injuries sustained when going off the road on his pre-Croatia Rally test for Hyundai Motorsport on Thursday.
The Moonraker was scheduled to run on Saturday (April 15), but the organizers have elected to delay the running of the event as a mark of respect to Breen – Ireland’s most successful driver ever in the World Rally Championship with nine career podiums and two world titles in WRC Academy and SWRC.
A statement from the Forestry Championship read: “On behalf of all of us involved in the championship, and the Forestry family as a whole, we wish to extend our sympathy to the Breen family as well as the countless friends of Craig at this incredibly sad time.
“We’ll grieve now, yet will always remember the great days we shared, and the huge support you gave to the sport in Ireland.
“Only two days ago, a generation of future stars sat in awe as their idol walked through the door to address the J1000 Tuition Day, greeting a group he was directly assisting, having committed to an incredible sponsorship package for the series.
“Rest in peace Craig!”
Breen only ever contested the Moonraker once back in 2011, where in a giant-killing run he placed his Ford Fiesta R2 in fifth overall and comfortably first in class.
A statement from the rally added: “It is with deep regret and sadness that the Munster Rally Club have learned of the tragic accident that claimed the life of World Rally Championship star Craig Breen.
“In light of the above tragedy, the clerk of the course, chairman, directors and members of the Munster Car Club have taken the decision to postpone the Moonraker Forestry Rally which was scheduled to take place this weekend in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork.
“The Munster Car Club would like to extend their deepest sympathy and condolences to Craig’s family and friends on his tragic passing.
“May he rest in peace.”
