CRAIG COMES HOME TO HERO’S WELCOME
It has been an incredible week for Irish Rally Driver Craig Breen. Just a week ago he and his Welsh co driver Gareth Roberts clinched the FIA World Rally Academy Championship on the last stage of World Rally Great Britain, the final round of the WRC Academy Series. By Tuesday, Craig had travelled to Melk, Austria, to take part in the FIA Institute Trials. After four days of driving and non-driving assessments Craig received news on Friday, that he had made it on to the FIA 2012 Institute Programme. But on Saturday afternoon celebration took the place of competition as Waterford welcome back their World Champion!
Craig returned home to his native Waterford City for the first since claiming the FIA World Rally Academy Championship (World Junior Championship) to a hero’s welcome by his family, friends and supporters. John Roberts Square, Waterford City became electrified with the sound of the screaming Ford Fiesta S2000 as Craig screeched up the Quay by the bank of the river Suir, turning into the City Centre at the Clock Tower and onto the stage in front of hundreds of fans that came out to salute their hero and his achievement on the world stage. Craig was first greeted by host for the event the legendary Eddie Wynberry.
Like true rally fans, inclement weather was not going to deter the CBR supporters from greeting their hero. With the rain falling and under the a sea of Christmas lights the new World Academy Champions exited the Fiesta S2000 and were greeted to cheers as they joined event host Eddie Wynberry on stage.
Craig was congratulated by Waterford’s Mayor, Cillr Pat Hayes, Motorsport Ireland President, Joe Corcoran President Motorsport Ireland, James Coleman, Chairman of the Rallies Committee, Motorsport Ireland, Austin Mallon from the Irish Sports Council.
From Carrick on Suir Motor, Club President George Clancy and Club Chairman, Terence Kearney. Terence also presented Craig and Gareth with specially designed photos portraying the pair in action on World Rally Spain. The spectacular shot was taken by WRC photographer Richard Balint during one of the night stages on the event and displayed the Kel-Tech Ford Fiesta S2000 in all its glory.
Guests who could not attend on the day also passed on messages of congratulations:
Gerard Quinn, Director of Motorsport, Ford of Europe said,
“Congratulations to Craig and Gareth for their fantastic achievement in winning the inaugural FIA WRC Academy. Having had a difficult season they fought back in determined fashion at Wales Rally GB to take the title. I am confident that Craig has a bright future ahead of him in rallying and he will continue to be a great ambassador for the Academy, WRC and his country. I have supported the Academy throughout the season and I firmly believe it creates huge opportunities for young rally drivers to achieve success that could ultimately see them at the pinnacle of the sport that is the WRC. I wish Craig and Gareth every success in the future.”
Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Irish Road Safety Authority said,
“On behalf of the Road Safety Authority I’d like to extend my warmest congratulations to Craig on his magnificent achievement in winning the WRC Academy Championship. Not only is Craig a champion on the road but off the road too. As a Road Safety Ambassador for the Road Safety Authority Craig has supported the promotion of responsible driving, particularly in getting the message across to ‘Keep the Race in its Place’, i.e. on the track and not on the public roads. Thanks to Craig’s commitment to road safety he has helped ensure that safety wins every time.”
John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Sports Council said,
"The Irish Sports Council is very proud of Craig's achievement; he has demonstrated his talent in an incredibly competitive international sport. I know from happy experience that the people of Waterford give a great welcome home to their sporting ambassadors; I hope Craig, his family and supporters enjoy the day, it is well deserved.”
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