Hyundai and partners have set up a foundation named after the late Craig Breen, which will support young rally drivers in Irlang
Talented young rally drivers competing in the Irish J1000 Forestry Series will receive support from the newly established Craig Breen Foundation. The foundation was established in memory of World Rally Championship star Craig Breen, who tragically died in a testing accident in Croatia in April
The sorely missed and much-loved Irishman was passionately committed to rallying throughout his life and supported young drivers.
The Craig Breen Foundation, which is supported by Hyundai Motorsport, Sports & You, Hyundai Portugal, Hyundai Spain, Motorsport Ireland and the FIA, will offer €35,000 in prize money for next year’s J1000 Forestry series, which is aimed at drivers aged between 14 and 17. The foundation has announced that it will support the championship over a period of at least five years.
The prizes on offer range from financial support to entries in the Spanish and Portuguese Hyundai i20 Cup with Team Sports & You, for whom Breen competed in the Portuguese Rally Championship this year.
“We are delighted to announce the creation of the Craig Breen Foundation. Waterford-born Craig Breen, who drove to the top of the World Rally Championship with Hyundai, has always been a keen amateur sportsman. In 2023, he showed his commitment to this passion by offering to support and fund the Irish J1000 Forestry Series, which is aimed at 14 to 17-year-olds starting out in the sport,” says a statement from the foundation.
“The Foundation aims to continue and build on the good work Craig started by paving the way for young Irish competitors into top rallying, while honoring his memory. With the support of Hyundai Motorsport, Sports & You, Hyundai Portugal, Hyundai Spain, Motorsport Ireland and the FIA, the Foundation has committed to supporting the J1000 Forestry Series for at least five years from 2024. “
Prize money in the amount of 35,000 euros
“For the 2024 J1000 Forestry Series, the foundation will initially provide prize money totaling over 35,000 euros. This includes:
– Prize money of €1,000 per round for each championship round
– 16,000 euros in support for the three best-placed drivers in the championship (5,000 euros for the winner and 3,000 euros each for second and third place) at rally events in 2025
– Funding for a start in the Spanish/Portuguese Hyundai i20 Cup in 2024 or 2025 with the Sports & You team for the winner of the championship (depending on age)
– one day of rally lessons at the John Haughland Rally School for the first and second place winners of the championship
– one day of pacenote tuition from Breen’s former co-driver Paul Nagle for the top three drivers in the championship.
“Further details will be announced in due course, but we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the companies, organizations and individuals who have already supported the Foundation to honor Craig’s legacy, particularly Hyundai Motorsport who have played an important role in establishing the Foundation. “
