Co-driver Park Dies In Accident

QUOTE (BBCi)

Michael Park, co-driver for Markko Martin, has died after an accident on stage 15 of Wales Rally GB.

Martin's Peugeot 307 crashed heavily into a tree on Park's side during the 17-mile Margam stage.

It was confirmed at 1045 BST that Park, 39, from Newent in Gloucestershire, suffered fatal injuries. Estonian Martin escaped unhurt.

The stage was immediately halted and organisers decided shortly afterwards to cancel the remaining two stages.

Police sealed off the stage, as is normal practice in such a situation, and began investigations.

A statement from the organisers said: "It is with deep regret that we confirm that Michael Park was fatally injured following an accident on special stage 15.

"The next of kin has been informed. The driver of car number eight, Markko Martin, is uninjured."

No spectators were involved in the accident.

Park, nicknamed 'Beef', was a highly-experienced co-driver who had worked with former champions Richard Burns and Colin McRae.

Married with children, he first began rallying on the world championship circuit in 1994 as Mark Higgins' co-driver.

Park teamed up with Martin in 2000 when the Estonian was rallying a privately-entered Toyota.

They stayed together at Subaru and Ford before moving to Peugeot this year. The pair had won five world rallies together.

Peugeot issued a statement confirming that Martin had hit a tree on the right hand side of the car, fatally injuring Park.

"Peugeot Automobiles and Peugeot Sport would like to express their feeling of extreme sadness and deep emotion to the family of Michael Park."

The cancellation of the remaining stages means Citroen's world champion, Sebastien Loeb, wins the rally.

RIP

****

**** terrible news

The risks are as real as the rewards, that's motorsport and I wouldn't change it, but this is an awful loss. RIP dude.

RIP

RIP...

QUOTE (wrc.com)

Michael Park: 1966-2005

Michael Park, one of the top co-drivers of his generation, has died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident on the final leg of Wales Rally GB. As co-driver to Markko Martin, 'Beef', as Park was affectionately known, enjoyed considerable success with the Estonian during three seasons at Ford before joining Peugeot for 2005.

Park - a rally enthusiast since the age of 10 - gained experience with some of Britain's top talents. He worked with former world champions Richard Burns and Colin McRae as a gravel note expert while co-driving for both David Higgins and Mark Higgins in the British national series. His big break, however, came when he teamed up with the emerging Martin as a privateer pairing in a Toyota Corolla for the 2000 World Rally Championship season.

After a string of impressive performances the pair were signed up by Subaru for 2001, before moving to Ford, where they evolved into one of the leading driver/co-driver combinations in the WRC. In 2003 they took two rally victories, in Greece and Finland, and improved on that figure with three wins in 2004.

The pair were lying fourth in this season's title race after securing four podiums in a season dominated by Citroen's Sebastien Loeb. Their performances had been instrumental in Peugeot's challenge for the manufacturer's championship, with the team lying six points behind French rivals Citroen.

Michael is survived by wife Marie and children William and Victoria. wrc.com sends its condolences to Michael's friends and family.

I'm quite interested to find out the extent of his injuries. I can understand at this time details etc may not be available, an autopsy has to be carried out.

With anything motorsport related deaths in the UK, the first police officer to the scene become the acting coroner until one arrives…

I haven’t been up to speed this year with whats happening & safety etc.

So is it a rule yet that WRC drivers & co must wear the Hans device? Ot is it just the JWRC that doesn’t need to yet I think…

But speed, force, object, side/place of car.. theres so many factors as to why this was fatal and Not just 'car + tree'.

RIP

What a catastrophic finish to the Rally GB.

Really bad news. RIP.

Well, got no words to describe my feelings, despite my rally carrer didn't start the best way, everytime you enter the car you know the risks, a big accident is not on the minds of us (i'm not saying i'm a pro rally driver), i'm deply touch, one more thing to say. God got a hell of a co-driver, it's a shame it was to early in his life.
RIP Michael.

QUOTE (ClarkF1 @ Sep 18 2005, 12:11 PM)

It was confirmed at 1045 BST that Park, 39, from Newent in Gloucestershire, suffered fatal injuries. Estonian Martin escaped unhurt.

It must feel terrible for Märtin to know the man sitting next to you died having himself escaped unhurt.

RIP

In rally, it often seems that the co-driver is the one who usually gets hurt.. Damn. Peugeot team boss said he died instantly, the car looked very, very smashed up.

rip

I really havent got any words for it, he wasa terrificly nice person