Ovrwrkd
September 18, 2005, 9:57pm
1
Sunday became a tragic day in the history of the WRC and Rally GB when Markko Martin’s co-driver Michael Park was killed in an terrible accident on the rally’s second stage of the day. Martin went into a spin striking a tree at almost full speed on Park’s side. Michael was most likely killed instantly.
Martin managed to walked away mostly unharmed but, was visibly shaken by the accident and Michael’s death. The stage was immediatly ended and all the remaining stages of the rally cancelled.
Sebastien Loeb was heading for yet another rally win before the tragic accident. Loeb purposely took a time penalty as not to win the rally, and secrue the driver’s championship, on the day Michael had died.
“There’s no way I wanted to win the world title like that, in circumstances like that” Loeb said.
“They should have called off the rally completely. Marcus (Gronholm) didn’t have any doubts over what to do. Who wins the race is not what counts today.”
Park leaves a wife, Marie, and two children, William and Victoria.
We here at Rally Planet would like to extended our deepest sympathies to Michael’s family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed from the world and the sport.
http://rallyplanet.com/index.php?pid=29670
Sad news in general, and nothing you ever want to hear about. And watching the broadcast of the rally, it hits a little harder.
RIP Michael ‘Beef’ Park
dozr
September 18, 2005, 10:21pm
2
Yea heard about it this morning… very sad.
Rx3
September 19, 2005, 6:40am
4
It was very unexpected. The whole rally was kind of in shock. You could see how distraught all of the crews were on the broadcast. Really sad.
RIP
d3x
September 19, 2005, 6:51am
5
RIP. makes you remember how dangerous the world of motorsports is. i hope it doesnt bite me or anyone else here.
newman
September 19, 2005, 7:28am
7
really sucks to be the driver…
Ovrwrkd
September 19, 2005, 9:40pm
9
wow…
Definitely the worst thing that can happen to you as a rally driver…
Rx3
September 20, 2005, 11:54am
13
Rumor has it that Peugot is considering retiring from the championship early, i.e. not competing the rest of the season.
Well, that makes sense since I’m sure that Marko Martin is going to need a little time to recover mentally, and (this is not meant to be funny) I’m sure that co-drivers are not exactly lining up to take Beef’s place, despite the fact that Martin is one of the best. Accidents happen, but in the back of every co-driver’s mind has got to be that “what if” thought. A co-driver has to really trust their driver, and I think it will take some time before Martin trusts himself and the new co-driver trusts him.
dozr
September 20, 2005, 2:59pm
15
wasnt this the last year for them anyway?
Rx3
September 20, 2005, 3:10pm
16
yes, this was the last year for both Peugot and Citroen.
