A foundation has been set up in memory of late rally driver Craig Breen to support the next generation of talent. Irish World Rally Championship driver Breen died aged 33 while testing for Rally Croatia in April.
Shortly before his death, he had committed support and funding to help drivers starting out in the sport. The foundation will offer support and financial prizes for the J1000 Forestry Series, which is aimed at 14-to-17-year-olds.
In a minimum five-year commitment, the Craig Breen Foundation will build on the late driver’s pledge to support Irish rallying and offer prizes to the value of 1,000 euro for each round of the J1000 Forestry championship.
The winner of the championship will receive 5,000 euro towards their 2025 season and a funded drive on a round of the Spanish/Portuguese Rally Championship Hyundai i20 Cup.
Those who finish second and third in the J1000 Series will also receive funding for the following year and the top three will have a day of pacenote tuition with legendary Irish co-driver Paul Nagle. The winner and runner-up will also have a day’s tuition at the renowned John Haughland’s Rally School.
The foundation is being supported by Hyundai Motorsport, who Breen competed with before his passing in 2023, Motorsport Ireland and the FIA, motorsport’s governing body.
