Motortrades Insight Magazine Online
CRAIG BREEN: I CAN BEAT SEBASTIEN LOEB
IRISHMAN Craig Breen has become a factory driver for Peugeot Rally Academy in the European Rally Championship. Craig wrote to Motortrades Insight just before the career-changing news emerged.What got you into motorsport? Why rallying?
I began kart racing when I was 8-years-old, as my father was heavily involved in Irish Rallying, and was twice National Rally Champion in Ireland. I loved motorsport, and love the speed and adrenaline rush of rallying, it's amazing!
What makes you so fast?
I don't know really, I prepare a lot and leave no stone unturned. I am always very confident of my talent and skills, and always try my best. It seems to work!
Can you tell us about the diet of a rally driver?
For me, I have a very strange diet! I am very strange when it comes to eating, but I try to keep a balanced diet to go along with my busy programme. I can't say I don't treat myself to something nice every so often.
A day in the life of Craig Breen...
Wake at 7am, go for a 10km run. Back for shower and breakfast at 8am. Then go to the office, trying to look for sponsors, send some emails and catch up on paperwork. 12pm, some lunch - a nice sandwich and tea!
Then at 1pm I go to the gym and meet with my trainer for a training session. Back from the gym, and some chill out time before dinner at 5pm, then in the evening maybe I go for a swim or some time on my bike. I have an active day!
What are the most challenging aspects of being a rally driver?
Keeping concentrated over long periods. International rallies mean long weeks away from home and are very strenuous, but I love it!
Tell me about your ambitions and plans for the coming year?
We are trying to put together a project for this season, but the most important thing for me is to show good speed, to go with the consistency I proved this season (2012).
It's been a very emotional year for you with what happened in Sicily. How did you manage to move on from that and do you think you could have the strength to keep going if it were to happen again?
I believe that Gareth has a big part to play in my strength to keep going. I feel a desire to keep going in his name. My dream is to keep making him proud.
WRC World Rally Driver of the Year and Dunlop International Driver of the Year... Your talent has not gone unnoticed. Surely you have been approached by several manufacturer teams now? What would you like the future to hold for you?
Unfortunately, we are living in difficult times. Manufacturers are finding it difficult to fund motorsport programmes, and thus drivers have to bring their own budgets.
For me this is difficult, as I don't have so many sponsors. However, we are working very hard at the moment to attract new partners and sponsors on board this exciting project.
How do you see 2013 panning out for you?
It will be a big season for me, but I am confident that I will deliver. I want the world to see my true speed, and I believe that this is the season to show this. I'm still only 22-years-old, so I have plenty of years ahead of me, but like any youngster in sport, I want to get to the top quickly!
Can you beat Sebastien Loeb and become WRC World Champion within five years?
I believe so, although it is disappointing that he is leaving the sport soon. He is an inspiration to us all. If I didn't believe that I could beat him, then it wouldn't be a worthwhile effort.
What would you like to change in the sport?
It would be nice if there were more opportunities for younger drivers, but as I said earlier, we are living in recessionary times, and the manufacturers are also finding it difficult. It's just how it is.
If you had the choice between WRC and European Rally Championship this year, which would you choose?
For the moment, either of them would be attractive to me, they both have aspects that I like, but I just want to be driving and showing my speed, that's what's most important.
Motortrades Insight is the first publication to discover a British-made electric car will be revealed in 2013 capable of going from Land's End to John O'Groats on a single charge. What is your take on this?
Obviously, given the world we live in, and more importantly the sport that I am in, renewable energy initiatives are very important. This idea seems to be very interesting and for sure it will prove the strength and endurance of electric powered cars.
Secret obsession...
Playing Richard Burns Rally - I have a simulator at home and spend many hours playing it!
Favourite pastime...
Cycling
Pet hate...
Speeding boy racers!
The person you most treasure...
My girlfriend Vivienne. I would be lost without her.
Best road car under 15,000...
Peugeot 208
If you were not a rally driver, what would you be doing?
Something rallying associated, I know no different!
Are winter tyres for ordinary road users necessary?
Not necessarily, you just need to be aware of the conditions you're driving in, and drive accordingly.
Your New Year's resolution...
Push harder and never give up.
Photographs: CraigBreen.com
Related Articles // More Like This
- 1
- 2
- 3
News 24/7
MotorTrades Insight are now official news providers for NewsNow.
Top Stories // This Week
Budding engineers needed for Formula One's Red Bull Racing.
Talented performance-driven engineering graduates are to be given an exclusive opportunity to work in Formula One as a result of a new global talent search initiative.The ‘Infiniti Performance Engin... 
Nissan Friend-Me Concept makes European debut in Frankfurt.
The Nissan Friend-Me concept has made its European debut today at the Frankfurt Motor Show.Combining striking design with an advanced premium interior, the Friend-Me concept car is a fascinating exp... 
European Union funded PowerDriver project reaches crucial stage in turning waste heat into electricity.
The European Union funded PowerDriver project - a two-year research project initiated in February 2012 - has reached a crucial stage.The PowerDriver project is a collaborative research initiative in... 
Concours of Elegance presents prestigious line-up of classic cars including first Monaco GP winner.
With a stellar line-up of around 60 of the world’s most expensive and rarest classic cars on display in the gardens of Marlborough House later this week, Concours of Elegance is set to be a hit with... 
Laverstoke Park Farm car auction set to attract enthusiasts from all around with 70 lots.
Estimated at between £40,000 to £45,000, this 1965 Jaguar E-Type Series I, was first owned by Charlie Drake.An incredible line-up of more than 70 stunning cars, including a smattering of celebrity o... 
Lithium-ion battery designer and producer rebranded after takeover.
One of Europe’s foremost designers and producers of lithium-ion battery systems for high performance hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles has been rebranded.Following its acquisition by Johnson Matthe... 
Rare 1978 BMW M1 set to attend Salon Privé.
An 'ultra-rare' vintage BMW M1 will be on display at next month''s Salon Privé. Not to be confused with the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the BMW M1 was the result of an agreement to build a production raci... 
Car dealerships need to 'be active' in finding 'newly qualified youngsters' to help reduce youth unemployment.
Steve Nash, CEO of the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI), is urging the retail motor sector to capitalise on the opportunity of increased new car sales with a greater commitment to apprenticeships a... 
Revolutionary new app-based ‘technology will change’ the way we interact with our cars with 007-style geo-fence sec.
This month, Cobra is launching an app with ‘a very prestigious car manufacturer’ that could trigger major changes in the way we interact with our vehicles.Andrew Smith, Managing Director of vehicle ... 
RM Auctions aims to set records with glamorous London car auction.
RM Auctions is set for another spectacular sale that could see several records broken, as well as fierce competition for the submarine Lotus that featured in James Bond’s The Spy Who Loved Me.Last O... 
New Range Rover Hybrid range set to deliver 44mpg after setting off for epic tour.
Land Rover is launching its first-ever hybrid models – the Range Rover Hybrid and Range Rover Sport Hybrid – which will deliver what the company describes as ''outstanding fuel economy'' and ''signi...