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(Reuters) -Eire’s prime rally driver Craig Breen has died after an accident in a pre-event take a look at for the Croatian spherical of the world championship, his Hyundai group stated in an announcement on Thursday.
The group gave no particulars of the accident simply after noon native time however stated co-driver James Fulton was unhurt.
Media reported that Breen’s automotive went off the highway and collided with a pole whereas the 33-year-old was getting ready for subsequent week’s rally, his second of the season.
Breen, who began out as a co-driver earlier than switching to driving in 2008, completed second in Rally Sweden in February when he made his return to the group on a part-time foundation after a yr with M-Sport Ford.
He was a world championship common over time, though not often for a full season, and whereas not a winner he completed second in six rallies.
“The Irish motorsport group is numbed by this tragic information. Craig was a world class driver and a world class particular person,” stated Motorsport Eire president Aiden Harper in an announcement of condolences.
Breen is the primary fatality on this planet championship since German junior co-driver Joerg Bastuck within the 2006 Rally of Catalunya.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, enhancing by Toby Davis)