World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen has died in a testing accident in Croatia.

Irish World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen has died in a testing accident ahead of Rally Croatia. Credit: Hannu Rainamo/Getty Images

World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen died in a testing accident ahead of Rally Croatia next week.

The 33-year-old Irishman was a works driver for Hyundai and also represented Peugeot , Citroen and M-Sport in the rally. career began in 2009.

Local reports say Brin went off track during a team test on paved roads in Croatia. Navigator James Fulton was not injured in the accident.

A photo of a badly damaged car on the side of the road at the foot of a wooden railing was posted on social media.

Hyundai Motorsport pick up a car involved in a fatal accident. Photo: Antonio Bronik/Reuters

Hyundai confirmed the news in a brief statement. «Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen has died today in a crash during pre-Rally Croatia testing.» read it. «Navigator James Fulton was not injured in the incident, which occurred just after noon local time.

«Hyundai Motorsport extends its sincere condolences to Craig's family, friends and many fans.

«Hyundai Motorsport bye does not give any comments.

The WRC statement added: “The WRC family is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Craig Breen. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Craig's family and friends at this incredibly sad time.» FIA President Ben Sulayem, a former rally driver, said: “On behalf of the FIA, I express my sincere condolences to the family & Craig Breen's friends after his death during a private trial in Croatia. Our thoughts & prayers with his loved ones & the Rally community at this difficult time.»

Breen, son of Irish national rally champion Ray Breen, was gearing up for his second rally of the WRC season with a second-place finish at Rally Sweden in February. respect for the risks it poses.

While the rally is not as popular in the UK as it was during its heyday in the 1990s and early 2000s, when Colin McRae's rivalry with England's Richard Burns was a box office event, it still remains a large and very friendly community. From WRC to local rallies, it's one big family.

Just last month, Breen encouraged a new generation of Irish rally stars by offering his support for the Irish Junior 1000 category of the Sligo Pallets Forest Rally Championship.

The news of Brin's death will hit hard. For many motorsport enthusiasts, rallying is the purest discipline of all. Less fussy and flamboyant than the F1, its big, all-conquering cousin, drivers must adapt to all weather and road conditions, covering vast distances for many hours.

Its drivers enjoy commensurate respect, often reaching legendary status, from Ari Vatanen to MacRae and Sebastian Loeb. One need only hear the opinions of F1 stars such as Kimi Räikkönen and Robert Kubica (who himself had a horrific WRC crash) to understand.

Brin's death is a stark reminder of the daily risks they face, and it is not surprising that immediately after this news, many representatives of motorsport paid their respects. «My condolences to his family and friends. He was such a good guy,» wrote Alex Wurz, former driver and current chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers Association.