Michael Park killed on Rally Wales GB

[Chris24]

Just read that Michael "Beef" Park has sadly died after a crash on Rally Wales GB this morning.  :oThe remaining stages have been cancelled.

Michael Park, Markko Martin's co-driver, has died after an accident on the Wales Rally GB at the age of 39. The pair's Peugeot 307 hit a tree on SS15, the 27.42km stage of Margam.

Rest In Peace Beefy !

[chrisbeatty]

Just read the same on the BBC website, a very sad day indeed.

Motorsport is dangerous but you never really expect things like this to happen. Especially shocking when you've seen the cars after the accident Solberg & Mills had last year in Germany & Martin & Park suffered in Turkey(?)

Our thoughts go to his wife, children & other friends & family.
Michael "Beef" Park: 1966-2005 RIP

[mgmark]

Whatever the type of race, it is always desperately sad when it does happen these days, with all the modern safety features - sadly, you cannot remove all of the danger to life.   Seems that Peugeot then withdrew Gronholm (which one would expect) but that also Loeb incurred a deliberate penalty to avoid winning in the circumstances - small gestures but meaningful.   Thoughts to all affected by it.

MG Mark

[Chris24]

This says it all really.


By Tim Redmayne Sunday, 18 September 2005 18:03


Ford have paid tributed to Michael Parks, describing his death at the Wales Rally GB today as losing a friend.

Park, Markko Martin's co-driver, was killed when their Peugeot 307 left the road and hit a tree in the 15th stage of the rally.

Park and Martin competed with Ford between 2002 and 2004, which resulted in five WRC victories, before leaving for the French manufacturer this season. Their first victory was on the Acropolis Rally in 2003.

Ford motorsport boss Jost Capito said: "On Ford's behalf, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to Michael's family, friends and colleagues following today's dreadful tragedy.

"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.

"He reached the very top level of his profession, but still retained close links with his many friends and colleagues at grass roots level, with whom he first developed a passion for the sport.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone within the Ford team and far beyond, and needless to say all of us are distraught at today's events."

Malcolm Wilson, Ford's team director, commented on the help Park had given to his son Matthew as he started his driving career.

"I will always appreciate the help and assistance he gave to my son, Matthew, and his co-driver Scott Martin," Wilson said. "When they started competing, his advice was invaluable and after their accident this year he encouraged and inspired them to get back in a rally car.

"His ever cheerful and vibrant personality, even in the most adverse of circumstances, frequently lightened the tense atmosphere that often surrounds the WRC service park. He was rarely seen without a smile on his face and that's the way I will remember him.

"He learned his trade as a navigator and co-driver on local rallies and his path to the top of the sport was the result of nothing less than hard work. He forged a great partnership with Markko and Michael's first world rally victory in Greece in 2003 was a proud moment for him.

"Rallying has lost the ultimate professional and ambassador and we have all lost a true friend. He will be sadly missed."

[Andy Zarse]

Despite having been at Goodwood all weekend, I was following from afar the action action on the RAC (I refuse to call it the GB Rally of Wales), as a long time fan of the sport. This is really terrible news. Beefy was well known and well liked and one of the best co-pilots in the business. Some tributes here:

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=4&nid=119136

As has been said before, Motorsport is dangerous, it says so on the tin.  At Goodwood, Willie Green was lucky to get away with only a broken leg having been thrown out of his 1948 Maserati and onto the track. I have had the pleasure of being driven by Willie very fast around Goodwood in a Capri V6 and he's a really great guy. We met him at Le Mans too in 2003 at the Shampoo Bar where he was celebrating heavily after winning the Classic "warm up" race in the Ligier. Get well soon mate.