As i massive rally fan, and after spendng 2 days of my weekend at Wales Rally GB, i woke up this moring to the news that Markko Martin’s co-Driver Michael Park was killed in an accident in the Margam stage near Cardiff.
If you are not a rallying fan, well Markko is one of the top rally drivers in the world, and is currently racing with Peugeot.
Beef as Michael was known was from Hereford, and was a respected member of the WRC. The rallying community will be shocked at the loss of such a name in the sport.
My regards go to Beefy’s family and friends, and Markko Martin.
As a mark of respect, i’d cancel the rest of the rally, as Seb Loeb is well in front anyway.
Sorry if you don’t know what i’m on about but i’m shell-shocked this morning
By: Mark9 - 18th September 2005 at 18:11
Yes Margam 1 🙁
The end of the ITV prog, with the drivers lining up at the Millenium Stadium for a minutes silence i thought was quite moving
A very sad day indeed 🙁 Anna
By: bmi-star - 18th September 2005 at 17:59
Yes Margam 1 🙁
The end of the ITV prog, with the drivers lining up at the Millenium Stadium for a minutes silence i thought was quite moving
By: Mark9 - 18th September 2005 at 17:53
Very sad indeed, watched it up till stage 9. I believe it was stage 15 this accident happend 🙁 Anna 🙁
By: bmi-star - 18th September 2005 at 16:10
Indeed
Subaru looks like they’ll be keeping Solber and Atkinson, whilst i’m sure Loeb and Gronholm will replace Gardemister and the poor Kresta at Ford
but that doesn’t matter at the moment
By: LBARULES - 18th September 2005 at 15:48
I also have a feeling this might be the final nail in the coffin for Markko, he might be 4th in the championship, but he has really struggled this year in the Peugeot 307, only really scoring so many because of retirements, and also with Peugeot and Citroen pulling out, seats are at a premium, I think Ford, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Skoda etc etc, would pick Loeb or Gronholm over Markko.
By: Lamps - 18th September 2005 at 12:46
I thought so bmi-star, thanks
🙁 I hope Markko does return as he’s a great talent in the sport but I think you might just be right. When you lose someone like your co driver under such circumstances, I don’t think we can begin to imagine how Markko feels. The bond the driver and co-driver make in a season, let alone since 2000, it must be like losing a twin brother 🙁
Especially this far into the season, this will be an understandable career changing moment for Markko on what ever he chooses. Markko being 4th place in the driving standings and everything to play for this must be so tough for him and his team mates 🙁
By: bmi-star - 18th September 2005 at 12:34
Chris, you are right, they 1st worked together back in 2000. Personally i don’t think we’ll see Markko back in rallying, its too much of a loss to him sadly 🙁
By: Lamps - 18th September 2005 at 12:26
🙁 This is traggic news, I too am a huge rally fan, and this accident is deeply shocking 🙁 What a great ambassador Michael Park has been to the sport and for British rallying, a sore loss, who will not be forgotten.
My deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends and of course Markko and his team mates. What a strong partnership they had, since 2000 I think??
R.I.P. Michael “Beef” Park 🙁
By: bmi-star - 18th September 2005 at 12:15
I know Tom, and to think i saw him 4 times over the weekend (in a car), and spoke to him in last year’s rally, it totally gobsmakced me this morning 🙁
By: LBARULES - 18th September 2005 at 12:13
OMG! This is absolutely terrible, I had no idea until I looked at this thread, just so, so sad, the thoughts go out to his family, and of course to Markko.
I am also a big rally fan, I’m shellshocked.
By: bmi-star - 18th September 2005 at 11:52
And just to confirm, the rally has been cancelled, so Loeb wins, but i don’t think many people care about the result, just the tragic event which has happened this morning
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4257438.stm
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September 18, 2005 at 11:11 am