After an exceptionally successful start to his 2011 campaign on World Rally Sweden, where he finished an outstanding 15o/a, Irish rally driver Craig Breen was in Dublin three days later for the launch of Motorsport Ireland’s new Road Safety Initiative. The new Initiative which is supported by the Irish Road Safety Authority (RSA), is aimed at young drivers, particularly those aged between 17 and 24 who are most at risk on Irish roads.
The Initiative is part of Motorsport Ireland’s activity for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety which will be launched on 11 May and aims to save five million lives on the world’s roads over the next ten years.
The new Initiative was officially launched by the President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt, at Motorsport Ireland Headquarters, 34 Dawson Street, Dublin 4, on Wednesday last. During the launch it was announced that Rally Drivers Craig Breen and (Ms.) Toni Kelly were recruited as Motorsport Ireland Ambassadors.
On being chosen for the roll as Ambassador Craig said, “Motorsport has formed a major part of my life. My earliest memories are of my Dad rallying the length and breadth of Ireland. The Carrick on Suir Motor Club has formed the base on which my father gained his interest in Motorsport and I’ve followed in those footsteps. Within the last week I commenced my third full season of rallying on World Rally Sweden and starting in March I will be one of the drivers competing in the inaugural running of the FIA WRC Academy. Every discipline of motorsport has to adhere to rigorous safety regulations. These regulations have to be complied by every competitor. The rules of the road are there for the safety of all road users. Drivers who break these rules put all of us in danger. The main objective of this new Safety Initiative is to educate young people before they get behind the wheel. I am honored to be asked to come onboard.”
Together with Motorsport Ireland, the message from the two newly appointed Ambassadors Craig Breen (21) from Waterford, and Toni Kelly (22) from Donegal is:
• Taking risks on public roads isn’t cool.
• If a young driver wants to practice their skills behind the wheel of a car, they can do so in a controlled environment through organised motorsport events.
All participants in motorsport in Ireland will now be encouraged to “Wear the TAG”, the metal badge that declares their support for the Decade of Action for Road Safety. The tag and further information on the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety is available at www.decadeofaction.org
Motorsport Ireland’s Activity for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety also included:
• Recruitment of part time MI Road Safety Officer (RSO), Robert Lyttle
• Displays to coincide with motorsport events throughout the country involving Road versus Rally cars to demonstrate differences
• Standard media pack to accompany demonstrations
• Working with local authorities & RSOs
• Each local motor club to appoint volunteer RSO
• Signage based on 8 x 4 sheets mounted between stages in Rallies
– Credit: Craig Breen Racing/www.rallyprint.com