April 13, 2023 - During a training drive ahead of the WRC Croatia Rally competition, around 12:40, Craig Breen's vehicle came off a local road 2201 in Lobor, near Zlatar.
The Irish driver Craig Breen, who drove for the WRC Hyundai team and was near the top of the competition, hit a wooden pole with the left front end and died on the spot, while the passenger was uninjured, reports the Krapino-Zagorska PU, writes Index.
The Croatian Auto and Karting Association and the organizer of the WRC Croatia Rally addressed the media at the press conference.
"We will know the cause of death only after the autopsy," it was said at the beginning. "This rarely happens, tragic accidents like this," said Danijel Šaškin, president of the WRC Croatia Rally Organizing Committee.
Davorin Štetner, president of the Croatian Auto and Karting Association, also addressed the public. "This news cut us all," said Davorin Štetner. "He was one of the role models; the investigation is ongoing. The FIA's investigation is ongoing; we are their member. Of course, we are trying to connect what happened; our investigations are going in the direction of preventing this kind of thing," Štetner said.
"It is important to keep calm, to express our condolences to the family, these are terrible things. We are trying to find out what happened," he said. We are deeply shaken, Štetner added at the end.
"Our safety standards are at the highest possible level"
Subsequently, a joint statement from the organizers Štetner and Šaškin came via email. "We are extremely sorry and deeply shaken by the news of the serious accident that occurred today in which Craig Breen, a member of the Hyundai Motorsport team, lost his life.
It was a test drive before the competition. Breen was a superb and experienced Irish driver, winner of numerous rally races and world champion in the WRC Super 2000 Rally in 2012. Together with the competent services and the FIA, we are carrying out all actions to determine the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
Our safety standards are at the highest possible level, prescribed by the FIA and monitored by the Croatian Auto and Karting Association, and it is really important to us that such tragic situations do not occur. We want people to primarily enjoy motorsport while respecting all safety rules. Our thoughts are with Craig's family, his friends and the entire team," they said.
The team responds
The Hyundai Motorsport team confirmed earlier that its Irish driver Craig Breen (33) was killed in the accident in Lobor during a training drive before the race at the Croatia Rally.
"Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen lost his life today in an accident during testing for the Croatia Rally. Co-driver James Fulton was uninjured in the accident that occurred just after noon. Hyundai Motorsport has no intention of commenting further on this accident," the team announced.
FIA chief: Condolences to the family
The International Automobile Federation, FIA, also responded.
"On behalf of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen following his death during a test drive in Croatia. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the entire rally community at this difficult time," said the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Who was Craig Breen?
The son of former Irish champion Ray Breen, Craig began his career in Ireland before making his rally debut in 2009, when he won the International, British and Irish Fiesta Sporting Trophy titles. That year he was also crowned Irish Young Driver of the Year.
The native of Waterford, in the southeast of Ireland, joined the discipline's top category, the WRC, in 2016 with Citroën, finishing third in Finland in his first season in the elite category. Although he never won the WRC, Breen took a total of nine podiums between 2016 and 2023, along with six second and three third places.
Last WRC tragic accident happened in 1989
The last WRC driver to die behind the wheel of his car was Portugal's Augusto Mendes at Rally Portugal in 1989.
Since then, four co-drivers have died in the races - Frenchman Francis Malaussène in Monte-Carlo (1990), New Zealander Rodger Freeth in Australia (1993), British Michael Park in Wales (2005) and German Jörg Bastuc in Spain (2006).
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated News section.
April 12, 2023 - WRC Croatia Rally 2023 will be held in five Croatian counties from April 20 to 23!
The best rally drivers in the world are coming to Varaždin, Krapina-Zagorje, Zagreb, Karlovac, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, and the City of Zagreb this April, like eight-time world champion and winner of the Croatia Rally 2021, Frenchman Sebastien Ogier, the current world champion, Finn Kalle Rovanpera, and Belgian Thierry Neuville, currently second in the championship. A total of 57 crews from all over the world will compete.
Croatian colors will be defended by eight crews led by Martin Ravenščak, who is entered with a Ford Fiesta Rally3 in the WRC3 class. In addition, four drivers will compete in Rally4 class cars, including Tomas Hrvatin, Željko Magličić, Jan Pokos, and Marko Lončarić. There is also Vjekoslav Čičko, Slaven Šekuljica, and Igor Mandić in the Renault Clio Rally5, as well as an old acquaintance of Croatian speedsters, Janos Szilagyi, in a Rally4 class car.
The ceremonial start will be at the Zagreb fountains, where the finish line will be, and the service parking lot is at the INA building on Večeslav Holjevac Avenue. The total length of the itinerary is 1,650 km, of which 301 km are for speed tests.
Daily tickets for the WRC Croatia Rally can be purchased for 10 euros, and a four-day ticket package is also available for 30 euros.
In addition to entrance to all Fan Zones with speed tests, all tickets are valid for the service parking lot. Regular tickets are available for online sale via ulaznice. hr.
WRC Croatia 2023 – schedule and stages
Thursday (20.4.)
• 9:01 Shakedown Okić
• 18:30 Ceremonial start
Friday (21.4.)
• 8:03 Mali Lipovec - Grdanjci
• 8:56 Stojidraga - Hartje
• 9:59 Krašić - Vrškovac
• 11:12 Pećurkovo Brdo - Mrežnički Novaki
• 14:45 Mali Lipovec – Grdanjci 2
• 15:38 Stojidraga – Hartje 2
• 16:41 Krašić – Vrškovac 2
• 17:54 Pećurkovo Brdo - Mrežnički Novaki 2
Saturday (22.4.)
• 7:54 Kostanjevac - Petruš Vrh
• 9:05 Vinski Vrh - Duga Resa
• 10:23 Ravna Gora - Skrad
• 11:26 Platak
• 15:54 Kostanjevac - Petruš Vrh 2
• 17:05 Vinski Vrh - Duga Resa 2
• 18:23 Ravna Gora - Skrad 2
• 19:26 Platak 2
Sunday (23.4.)
• 7:08 Trakošćan - Vrbno
• 8:35 Zagorska Sela - Kumrovec
• 10:23 Trakošćan - Vrbno 2
• 13:15 Zagorska Sela - Kumrovec 2
• 15:30 Podium (City of Zagreb)
Source: Gol.hr
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
January the 10th, 2023 - When looking at Croatian tourism, we're constantly focused on three months during the summer season and very little else. What about more niche events? The WRC Croatia Rally 2022 gave the country a considerable sum of cash.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, the WRC Croatia Rally 2022 brought over 105 million euros to Croatian tourism, with more than 310,000 spectators following the speed tests carried out on Croatian roads, 170,000 overnight stays were generated, and a third of the spectators came from abroad, according to an expert study of the impact of this event created by the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb.
The WRC Croatia Rally 2022 as such confirmed its status as a rather unique regional event, given that a third of the visitors came from Central, Western and Southeastern European countries, Oliver Kesar, professor from the Department of Tourism at the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Economics, pointed out at today's presentation of the study.
"First of all, we're talking about a mega sports spectacle, the effects of which the Republic of Croatia has not had before with any sporting, cultural or any other form of event. The results of the 2022 study showed that this project is both economically and socially sustainable and that Croatia should continue to host the WRC," said Kesar.
The WRC Croatia Rally 2022 also resulted in a great level of media interest, 400 media representatives arrived in Croatia, and the average consumption per spectator of the Croatia Rally is higher than the average, amounting to 263 euros, while total budget revenues exceed 12 million euros. The majority of visitors from outside Croatia came from neighbouring Slovenia and Hungary, as well as from other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Romania, the UK, Finland, Norway, Belgium and others, and they benefited local service providers in Varazdin, Krapina-Zagorje, Zagreb, Karlovac and Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties, as well as those located here in the City of Zagreb.
The Croatian Government has supported and continues to support the race with three million euros for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The World Rally Championship is set return to Croatia for the third time this year and will be held from April the 20th to the 23rd.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated news section.
ZAGREB, 19 April 2022 - WRC Croatia Rally, which will bring together the world's best rally drivers, will be held on 21-24 April with speed tests through five Croatian counties -- Zagreb, Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Varaždin -- while the ceremonial start and finish will be in Zagreb.
The World Rally Championship will be held for the second time in Croatia.
A record number of spectators is expected at the FIA World Rally Championship in Croatia. The organisers estimate that there may be over 350,000 spectators in special fan zones and along the track, and they are expected to arrive from Europe and from overseas.
This year the WRC is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the 2022 season was launched in Monte Carlo in January.
The Croatian government has recognised the importance and value of this competition, which is covered by over 250 television stations and followed by around 836 million people worldwide, and has co-funded the WRC with HRK 7.5 million (€1m). Thanks to this support and the hard-working organisers, Croatia has been included in the World Championship programme for the next two or three years, Tourism and Sports Minister Nikolina Brnjac said earlier this month.
March the 20th, 2022 - The WRC Croatia Rally is expecting a huge 350,000 viewers as we rapidly approach the start date, which is set to occur in just over one month.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the organisers of the WRC Croatia Rally, which will take place from the 21st to the 24th of April this year at 20 attractive stages through five Croatian counties - Zagreb, Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Varazdin, presented a study on the socio-economic impact of the WRC (World Rally Championship) on the host countries.
"The WRC Croatia Rally is much more than a sporting competition. All of us who participate in its organisation, driven by passion, are committed to ideas and goals that outgrow the very popularisation of motorsport. We want to focus on Croatia, we want to create new contacts and partnerships and enable the presentation of Croatia to the world in the most beautiful light that this beautiful country truly deserves.
Of course, there is also a direct socio-economic benefit that we'll present and prove in partnership with the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb. Last but not least, we want to attract the attention of young people and direct them to responsible behaviour when they drive and lean them more towards environmental protection. For all this, we need help and close cooperation with the media, with whom we'd like to exploit the WRC Croatia Rally and motorsport as a whole through several segments, including STEM, IT, tourism, security, responsibility and promotion,'' said Daniel Saskin, President of the WRC Croatia Rally.
Scientists from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb presented the results of the WRC Vodafone Portugal Rally 2019 Impact Study at a briefing, which looked at the image of the destination, tourism, the local economy and the environment, which was done after the last season with spectators and before the coronavirus pandemic.
A study by researchers at the Centre for Research, Development and Innovation in Tourism at the Algarve University looked into the impact on destination image, environmental impact and economic effects (the sociodemographic profile of the spectators, their opinion on the organisation of the events, and the assessment of both direct and indirect effects).
"There's no doubt that large sporting events like this are an ideal tool for building national identity, creating a recognisable image and promoting tourist destinations. WRC competitions are very popular and strongly covered by the media around the world, which puts them in a group of very influential events that directly and indirectly generate significant socio-economic effects on the destinations in which they take place. In economic terms, this is primarily recognised in the significant inflow of money in the form of the direct spending of participants and investments by the organisers and hosts, but also should take into account the indirect economic activities such as strengthening value chains, creating new jobs and generous media rights. In the social context, largr sporting events are primarily a means of entertainment and socialising among people, but also a source of pride for local communities that are able to host such large competitions.
We're very much looking forward to conducting more research and preparing a study on the assessment of the impact of the WRC Croatia Rally on the area of Central Croatia. We expect a good response from all of our foreseen target groups, as well as interesting data and a quality basis for drawing conclusions. We believe that we'll succeed in setting up a quality system for the continuous monitoring of the effects of this valuable event,'' said Oliver Kesar, a full professor at the Department of Tourism at the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb.
This year, the WRC Croatia Rally expects a record number of spectators, namely, according to the organisers in special fan zones and along the track, the competition will be attended by more than 350,000 people from across the rest of Europe and many other countries around the world.
For more, check out our lifestyle section.
ZAGREB, 30 Jan 2022 - WRC Croatia Rally, one of the most watched sporting events in the world, returns to Croatia in April for the first time with spectators, who will be able to watch the world's best rally drivers in a total of 20 speed tests through five Croatian counties.
Thanks to the excellent organisation of the sporting and accompanying part of last year's debut race, Croatia has been cited many times as a breath of fresh air and a real surprise on the WRC calendar. The organisers were given the opportunity to extend the contract for the event for at least two more years.
WRC Croatia Rally, which will bring together the world's best rally drivers, will be held on 21-24 April with speed tests through five Croatian counties -- Zagreb, Karlovac, Krapina- Zagorje, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Varaždin -- while the ceremonial start and finish will be in Zagreb.
This year, it is expected that there will be a record number of spectators at a sporting event in our country. The organisers estimate that there may be over 350,000 spectators in special fan zones and along the track, expected to arrive from Europe and from all over the world.
"It is a huge success for our country to have Croatia included in the world calendar, to bring the world championship here and organise the race at such a high level", said Davorin Štetner, president of the Croatian Automobile and Karting Federation.
This year the WRC is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the 2022 season was launched last weekend in Monte Carlo.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
January 29, 2022 - Preparations are underway for the WRC Croatia Rally 2022, in a special year in which the World Rally Championship celebrates its 50th anniversary. The big event will take place from April 21 to 24 and will feature spectators on 20 stages across five Croatian counties.
Following the excellent organization of the WRC Croatia Rally in its first edition in 2021, the FIA did not think twice about including Croatia again in the next two World Rally Championship calendars. Thus, this year, the country is once again preparing to host one of the most important sports and automobile events in the world, in April.
Photo: WRC Croatia Rally
The WRC Croatia Rally 2022, which will bring together the world's best rally drivers, will be held from April 21st to 24th, at attractive speed tests through five Croatian counties: Zagreb, Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Varaždin, while the ceremonial start and finish and the driver's park, which this year provides a rich program, will be located in Zagreb, reports tportal.hr.
This year, a record number of spectators is expected. Namely, according to organizers, the competition will be watched by more than 350,000 spectators in special fan zones and along the track, whose arrivals are expected from Europe and many other countries. With many surprises and rich content for which preparations are in full swing, 2022 is a special year as the World Rally Championship celebrates its 50th anniversary, and this special anniversary will be marked by a new, hybrid era of Rally1 vehicles that use sustainable fuel and electricity.
Photo: WRC Croatia Rally
The WRC season started last weekend in Monte Carlo, and Sebastien Loeb and Isabelle Galmiche in the Ford Puma won an unpredictable race until the very end. At the age of 47, Loeb became the oldest winner of a WRC race in history, and he reached his 80th victory in the World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo.
''Croatia has proven to be a sports organizer that is well worth counting on. To include Croatia in the world calendar, to bring the World Championship, and to organize a race at such a high level is a huge success for our country. The race itself is a Croatian product because almost the entire race is organized by a Croatian sports staff, which we are very proud of. This race, in addition to giving the wind in the back to the development of motorsport, significantly contributes to the promotion of Croatia, and I am convinced that, like last year, we will host some of the most important people in the world sports'', said Davorin Štetner, president of the Croatian Automobile & Karting Federation.
Photo: WRC Croatia Rally
''Early Bird'' tickets will be on sale soon, which in addition to including privileged views of the big event, will also offer special benefits such as food catering and entertainment all day.
We remind you that, in addition to the spectacular races that this new edition of the WRC Croatia Rally will offer, those who are in Zagreb during the days prior to the start of the stage will be able to enjoy special moments, such as the presentation of the vehicles competing in the Ban Jelačić Square, which attracted a large number of people, including fans and onlookers.
Photo: WRC Croatia Rally
The organizers of the WRC Croatia Rally 2022 are already fine-tuning all the preparations to create a motorsport atmosphere throughout the country, especially in the Croatian capital. The excellent organization in 2021 left very positive numbers both in ratings, spectators, as well as in profits. However, all this is an extra motivation for this edition to overcome all the successes achieved last year, and in this way continue to convince the FIA and ensure its presence in the World Rally Championship calendar beyond 2023.
It should be noted that this year, for the first time, the WRC Croatia Rally 2022 will feature spectators in all instances, something that could not be done in 2021 due to the epidemiological situation. Those who purchase tickets must bear in mind that the epidemiological measures for the safe development of the championship, which will be confirmed in the coming weeks, must be complied with without exception. Last year, the spectators were able to be at the speed tests, but this year they will be able to closely follow all the stages of the race, something that excites both them and the organizers.
The first edition of the WRC Croatia Rally, held last year, left many memorable moments both on and off the track. Let us remind you that Sebastian Ogier was the first winner of the WRC edition in Croatia. Just before the last gear, the Welshman Elfyn Evans (Toyota) had a 3.9-second advantage over Ogier but made a mistake in the last turn of the rally and lost the victory by only six-tenths of a second. Ogier thus reached the 51st triumph in his career.
Similarly, it should be remembered that the 2021 edition of the WRC Croatia Rally had an extra motivation after the earthquake that affected the county of Sisak Moslavina, and especially the town of Petrinja, at the end of December 2020. The earthquake was also felt in Zagreb, which itself was still recovering from the violent earthquake in March of that year. The organization behind the WRC Croatia Rally 2021 launched the humanitarian campaign ''Together to the Finish Line'', along with the Croatian Red Cross. A large number of drivers joined the initiative and this motivated many others in the world of motorsport to contribute with donations.
Photo: WRC Croatia Rally
Belgian Thierry Neuville, who came in third in Croatia Rally 2021, donated €4,000 for the reconstruction of the building of the General Hospital "Dr. Ivo Pedišić" in Sisak. Together with his colleagues Sebastien Ogier and Teemu Suninen, Neuville has been supporting the humanitarian campaign since the very start, and the Belgian had announced that he would donate €2,000 for participating and €4,000 if he won a second or third place that year.
For more about the WRC Croatia Rally 2022, such as news, accreditation information, accommodation, virtual store and more, visit the official website of the WRC Croatia Rally.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
ZAGREB, 26 April, 2021 - Belgian Thierry Neuville, who came in third in Croatia Rally, the third round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), will donate €4,000 for the reconstruction of the building of the General Hospital "Dr Ivo Pedišić" in Sisak.
Neuville has shown that in addition to being an excellent rally driver, he is also a great humanitarian as he joined the international humanitarian campaign "Together to the Finish Line", which was launched at the end of March by the Croatia Rally organising committee with the support of the WRC and the Croatian Red Cross as the project holder.
Neuville's team thanked the organisers for a great rally which took place this weekend at the local roads of Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje and Zagreb counties and the City of Zagreb. They said that everyone was extremely happy and satisfied with their stay in Croatia.
Together with his colleagues Sebastien Ogier and Teemu Suninen, Neuville has been supporting the humanitarian campaign since the very start, and the Belgian had announced that he would donate €2,000 for participating and €4,000 if he won second or third place.
After a great weekend on local Croatian roads, the Belgian finished third, together with his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe. Interestingly, the Belgian crew was third in all of the three rounds of this year's WRC, and it is ranked second in it overall WRC standings.
All those interested can support the excellent sports-humanitarian initiative until 30 April by donating to account HR2023600001502892305.
To read more news from Croatia, follow our dedicated page.
April 23, 2021 - Belgian driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) leads with three morning victories on the WRC Croatia Rally day one. Even with small delays in the four afternoon specials, he kept the top spot, while the current and seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier broke into second place (Toyota Yaris).
Ogier was the fastest in the last three special stages in the afternoon, reducing his gap to 7.7 seconds behind the Belgian asphalt specialist after the first day.
"I'm pretty happy with the first day. It was difficult for everyone, and after Kalle took off, our main goal was to try to use a good starting position, which we managed," said the leader Neuville, commenting on the afternoon three-stage victory of his great rival Sebastien Ogier.
"I have gone through enough fights with myself, and I know what he is capable of, just as he knows what I can do. Tomorrow’s stages will be challenging again, but I like them, and I hope to keep pushing as much as I can to keep you in the lead."
Luka Stanzl / PIXSELL
Britain’s Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris) is in the game for an overall win with 8.0 seconds behind Neuville. Estonian Ott Tanak (Hyundai i20 Coupe) is fourth, but he is 31.9 seconds behind the leader.
The first speed test of the Croatia Rally was also the last for the leader in the overall World Championship 20-year-old Finn Kalle Rovanperä, who landed off the road with his Toyota Yaris and ended up in an abyss overgrown with trees. Luckily, his co-driver Jonne Halttunen also got out of the car unscathed, but the car was so destroyed that Rovanperä will not be able to start on Saturday.
At the same turn in first gear, Ogier almost turned out but managed to stay on the road.
Unfortunately, among the seven crews that had to give up the competition on the first day were two Croatian teams. Vilim Prodan and co-driver Zoran Raštegorac (Ford Fiesta) were left without the possibility of continuing the rally after the third speed test due to a malfunction, and Martin Ravenščak with co-driver Tomislav Tomašković (Ford Fiesta) finished their appearance after the fifth speed, also due to technical problems.
Luka Stanzl / PIXSELL
The Saturday morning program starts at 8.29 am, with the speed test Mali Lipovac - Grdanjci, length 20.30 km. The first speed test in the afternoon part of the program will be run on the same section, starting at 14.29. On Saturday, the drivers are facing eight special stages.
Source: HRT
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.