One of rallying's nicest men has left us...
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Michael Park, co-driver for Markko Martin, has died after an accident on stage 15 of Wales Rally GB.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4257438.stm
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.
Requescat in pace...thoughts with his family and his friends, including Märtin.
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well.. at least he died doing what he like. Unlike Possum Bourne
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Oh gawd no......
RIP Michael. You'll be sorely missed. -
Condolences.
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Im so so sad and i feel really sorry for martin. they were good friends.
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i wonder how martin's feeling. he must feel Shite now. poor sod...
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RIP.
I'm sure he's up there doing what he loves right now. -
Rally world pays tribute to Park
Mark Higgins (left) used to drive with Park
Colin McRae led tributes to co-driver Michael Park, who was killed in a crash on stage 15 of Wales Rally GB.
The Scot called Park one of rallying's "real characters" after learning that Park had died when the Peugeot he shared with Markko Martin hit a tree.
The remaining stages was cancelled and flags flew at half mast as hundreds of fans observed a minute's silence.
"As a driver you carry twice the responsibility - I feel miserable," said English driver Natalie Barratt.
"Everybody knows about the risk but sometimes, in the heat of the moment, one pushes that aside."
Barratt's co-driver Kaj Lindstrom added his tribute to Park.
"It is bad when someone close to you passes on. But it somewhat comforts me that I know that Michael had been very happy in what he was doing."
Ford TeamRS director Jost Capito said: "During his time at Ford, 'Beef', as he was affectionately known to everyone in the sport, became a friend of us all.
"He was the utmost professional, but never lost sight of the fact that despite the intensity and pressures of his job, rallying was fun."
And BP-Ford director Malcolm Wilson said: "Rallying has lost the ultimate professional and ambassador and we have all lost a true friend." -
BBC Sport
Rally world pays tribute to Park
Mark Higgins (left) used to drive with Park
Colin McRae led tributes to co-driver Michael Park, who was killed in a crash on stage 15 of Wales Rally GB.
The Scot called Park one of rallying's "real characters" after learning that Park had died when the Peugeot he shared with Markko Martin hit a tree.
The remaining stages was cancelled and flags flew at half mast as hundreds of fans observed a minute's silence.
"As a driver you carry twice the responsibility - I feel miserable," said English driver Natalie Barratt.
"Everybody knows about the risk but sometimes, in the heat of the moment, one pushes that aside."
Barratt's co-driver Kaj Lindstrom added his tribute to Park.
"It is bad when someone close to you passes on. But it somewhat comforts me that I know that Michael had been very happy in what he was doing."
Ford TeamRS director Jost Capito said: "During his time at Ford, 'Beef', as he was affectionately known to everyone in the sport, became a friend of us all.
"He was the utmost professional, but never lost sight of the fact that despite the intensity and pressures of his job, rallying was fun."
And BP-Ford director Malcolm Wilson said: "Rallying has lost the ultimate professional and ambassador and we have all lost a true friend." -
apparently the organisers wanted the results of the rally to stand. Marcus Gronholm was withdrawn by Peugeot so Loeb didn't want the win either, but the governing body is being their usual rigid inflexible self. U know, like Indygate. So Loeb took a time penalty on purpose and Petter Solberg is the reluctant winner of this tragic event. Blow FIA.
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Sigh.
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mum and I lit a candle for park
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i don't watch rally...
but i'll say a prayer for him
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R.I.P Michael
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This is Markko Märtin's tribute to Michael Park:
We won the rallies we wanted to win. The only one he really wanted was the one I wasn't able to deliver - Great Britain. Then he went out with such a bang. When that happened, I lost the world's best co-driver, a very good friend and a brother.
Märtin has been withdrawn from the Rally Of Japan. Daniel Carlsson will take his place in the second Peugeot 307 WRC.
Park's funeral will be held at noon on Thursday, October 6 at St Batholomew's Church in Much Marcle, Ledbury, Herefordshire. All are welcome. -
Winners of the 50th Acropolis Rally (2003)
Rest in eternal peace, Michael. -
m. park and m. martin acropolis rally 2003
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im thinkin about goin up to attend his funeral
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The funeral's tomorrow.
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Won't be attending I'm afraid. Down with a bout of gastric flu, and I have to be in sch argh. The funeral should be underway now. Im leaving my condolences here.