Craig Breen’s goal of winning the EC rally suffered a big blow when his journey ended in the exit.
Craig Breen will only drive Hyundai for part of the season. In Sweden, he was second. EPA/AOP
Driving selected races in the World Rally Championship with a Hyundai Craig Breen continued at the weekend in the Portuguese EC rally series, where he is aiming for the overall victory this season.
The Irish driver’s second race of the year in that series came to a sad end already at the second special stage, when he crashed out violently on the Casinos do Algarve section. The nose of the RC2 car turned towards the ditch and was momentarily thrown onto its side by the impact.
The situation was also dangerous for spectators who were close to the ditch. Parts flew from the car that would have caused damage if they hit, but luckily no injuries were sustained.
Breen said the crash was caused by a technical fault.
– The engine stopped while braking and we couldn’t get it started again. I was just a passenger on board, which is not the best feeling. The damage was minor, but the day is over, Breen said, according to Dirtfish.
Breen won the opening race of the Portuguese Rally Series three weeks ago.
On the World Series side, Breen has only driven in the Swedish competition. The winter race was successful for the Irishman, as he competed until the end to win it and was in the end Ott Tänak too after another. Having missed two races, Breen is sixth in the World Series and a standard driver for, for example, Hyundai Esapekka Lapland above.
Breen will again participate in the next World Cup competition, which will be held in Croatia on the 20th-23rd. April.