WRC: Wales Rally GB - Tragedy overshadows the weekend
09-18-2005, 10:35 PM
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WRC: Wales Rally GB - Tragedy overshadows the weekend
Full story from wrc.com
Michael Park, co-driver to works Peugeot driver Markko Martin, has died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident on the final leg of this weekend's Wales Rally GB. The rally has been stopped following the incident on SS15 - the 27-kilometre Margam Park stage, which was the final test of this morning's loop.
"It is with deep regret that the organisers of Wales Rally GB confirm that Michael Park was fatally injured following an accident on SS15," an official statement said. "The next of kin has been informed. The driver of car eight, Markko Martin, is uninjured.
"Competitors will return to the finish in Cardiff scheduled for 14:00. There will be no champagne celebrations at the finish and the post-event FIA press conference has been cancelled."
Michael Park, co-driver to works Peugeot driver Markko Martin, has died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident on the final leg of this weekend's Wales Rally GB. The rally has been stopped following the incident on SS15 - the 27-kilometre Margam Park stage, which was the final test of this morning's loop.
"It is with deep regret that the organisers of Wales Rally GB confirm that Michael Park was fatally injured following an accident on SS15," an official statement said. "The next of kin has been informed. The driver of car eight, Markko Martin, is uninjured.
"Competitors will return to the finish in Cardiff scheduled for 14:00. There will be no champagne celebrations at the finish and the post-event FIA press conference has been cancelled."
Last edited by Nick Koan; 09-18-2005 at 10:40 PM.
09-18-2005, 10:35 PM
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Subaru's Petter Solberg has been declared the winner of this weekend's shortened Wales Rally GB after on-the-road leader Sebastien Loeb opted to take a time penalty. The Frenchman wanted to avoid winning the event and therefore the title in the aftermath of a tragic accident in which Peugeot co-driver Michael Park was killed.
With Gronholm pulling out of his third place in the rally as a mark of respect for his Peugeot colleague and Solberg getting eight points for second, the 10 points for Loeb's victory would have been enough to seal a second consecutive drivers' title for the French Citroen driver, but he was understandably keen to avoid this situation. As a result, he deliberately opted to check in to the final time control late to incurr a two-minute time penalty which dropped him to third overall behind Citroen team-mate Francois Duval and Solberg.
There were no celebrations at the end-of-rally podium ceremony in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, and the drivers and crowd held a minute's silence .
With Gronholm pulling out of his third place in the rally as a mark of respect for his Peugeot colleague and Solberg getting eight points for second, the 10 points for Loeb's victory would have been enough to seal a second consecutive drivers' title for the French Citroen driver, but he was understandably keen to avoid this situation. As a result, he deliberately opted to check in to the final time control late to incurr a two-minute time penalty which dropped him to third overall behind Citroen team-mate Francois Duval and Solberg.
There were no celebrations at the end-of-rally podium ceremony in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, and the drivers and crowd held a minute's silence .
09-18-2005, 10:40 PM
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On behalf of i-club, I would extend my deepest sympathys to the Family and Friends of Michael Park.
He was described as one of the best personalities in the sport. He has worked with many drivers on many teams. He will be missed by rally professionals and fans alike.
He was described as one of the best personalities in the sport. He has worked with many drivers on many teams. He will be missed by rally professionals and fans alike.
09-19-2005, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Turbo86
you know with a sport like the wrc, this kind of stuff is bound to happen, the crashes are just so brutal. it's just too bad Martin didn't make it.
No, Markko Martin is ok, only his co-driver was killed....but like you said, this is a dangerous sport and these things happen but its very unfortunate....
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09-24-2005, 06:11 PM
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Much condolesence...
http://www.canada.com/sports/story.h...c-196ccf354b14
"The 39-year-old Englishman sustained fatal injuries during the 27th kilometre of the 15th stage, organizers said. Markko Martin, the driver, was not injured. Peugeot said Martin struck a tree on the right side of the car. "
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/home/page...to767023.shtml
http://www.canada.com/sports/story.h...c-196ccf354b14
"The 39-year-old Englishman sustained fatal injuries during the 27th kilometre of the 15th stage, organizers said. Markko Martin, the driver, was not injured. Peugeot said Martin struck a tree on the right side of the car. "
http://www.eurosport.co.uk/home/page...to767023.shtml
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