Craig Breen, who died on Thursday, embodied in everything why rallying is so wonderful. That’s why his fate feels so unfair, writes Micke Suopuro.
Mayor of Brattby.
To be like that Craig Breen named himself in the Swedish World Rally Championship 2023. He had set two absolutely jaw-dropping bottom times for the special test in question.
Smiles and laughter were present, as he usually does in the office of his dreams. This time, the joy shone even brighter from the Irishman.
In the 2022 season, Breen drove the first full season of his career in the World Rally Championship. The season at M-Sport was difficult, the road in the team came to an end.
Breen returned to Hyundai, where his towering grips had opened the doors to becoming a full professional.
The way Breen returned to competition this year was dazzling. He was right away with his new car.
That’s why there was no end of laughter at the finish line of Brattby’s special test. Breen found himself enjoying his dream job again in a way only a rally driver can understand.
Craig Breen was an absolutely exceptional rally car driver. Not because he was the most successful, the smoothest or the fastest — although he was certainly an excellent driver.
What made Breen exceptional was his character. Breen never kept his passion inside, but shared it freely for others to share as well.
Authenticity made him the most loved driver in the current World Series. A person for whom one could only wish good things.
Craig Breen embodied with his whole being what is so wonderful about rally car racing. Speed, the struggle of tenths against the clock and a tickling tension in the pit of the stomach — on the one hand, good-natured cheerfulness and engine-oiled driving overalls, from which stardom and glamor are far away.
Breen enjoyed all of this with all his heart. He still enjoyed it, even though he also deeply understood the other, more fragile side of the sport.
The one where speed also means danger.
Breen had lost his friend and map reader behind the wheel a good ten years earlier. He knew concretely what one small driving error or technical fault could mean.
Still, he enjoyed driving with all his soul. Ardently, respectfully and passionately.
Until no more.
If anything, it may seem unfair and unreasonable.
Breen’s fate reminds us of the realities of rally driving. Everyone who works with the sport and follows the sport must accept that there is always a chance. The possibility of something unexpected, unreasonable — even unfair — happening.
This is despite the fact that risks have been continuously reduced by improving safety. For the sake of safety, compromises have been made both in cars and in competitions.
And that’s fine. In recent years, the World Rally Championship has seen cars burst into flames. They have rolled from a wild speed to the bottom of the gorge.
A car in the middle of a special test drove against one car. Risks can never be completely eradicated, but the probability of the worst can be reduced.
On the other hand, there have been far more near-misses than fearless performances, skillful last-minute corrective moves. Rage at the wheel, but also laughter, joking and joy in the middle of a fast track. Emotions, life, pleasure.
So rally. That something that Craig Breen loved so passionately with all his soul.
And that love will never die. Because Craig Breen was never afraid to share it around.
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