Wales Rally GB, 16 - 18 September 2005, started with a bang this year, the second year in it's new slot. Traditionally it closed the rally season in November but was moved to accomodated changes to the sport and the line-up.
Tradegy struck on the second stage of the final day when Markko Martin's Peugeot crashed into a tree hitting the passenger side of the car killing his 39 year old co-driver, Martin Park. As a mark of respect, Peugeot withdrew it's other entrant, Marcus Gronholm from the rally. Citroen driver, Sebastian Loeb, opted not to win the rally under such tragic circumstances by deliberately checking into a stage control point late, earning him penalty points and thus placing him in 3rd place behind Francois Duval and Petter Solberg. A win for Loeb in Rally GB would have meant an overall win in the drivers championship.
Michael is survived by his wife Marie and 2 children.
Rest in peace Michael, you died doing what you loved. Motorsports worldwide will miss you.
6 comments:
sorry to hear
I heard about that the news. That's a dangerous sport!
I heard the news on Sunday morning. It's so sad, and Markko Martin is one of my favourite drivers too :( Rallying is a dangerous sport but while you regularly hear about and see some fantastic crashes (a la Colin McRae or even Markko two years ago) you rarely ever hear of competitors dying I think. My condolences to his family and friends :(
Man, he was one of the best! Will be missed big time...
oh no...:(
sad news fo real...
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