Michael Park, one of the top co-drivers of his generation, has died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident on the final leg of Wales Rally GB. As co-driver to Markko Martin, 'Beef', as Park was affectionately known, enjoyed considerable success with the Estonian during three seasons at Ford before joining Peugeot for 2005.

Park - a rally enthusiast since the age of 10 - gained experience with some of Britain's top talents. He worked with former world champions Richard Burns and Colin McRae as a gravel note expert while co-driving for both David Higgins and Mark Higgins in the British national series. His big break, however, came when he teamed up with the emerging Martin as a privateer pairing in a Toyota Corolla for the 2000 World Rally Championship season.

After a string of impressive performances the pair were signed up by Subaru for 2001, before moving to Ford, where they evolved into one of the leading driver/co-driver combinations in the WRC. In 2003 they took two rally victories, in Greece and Finland, and improved on that figure with three wins in 2004.

The pair were lying fourth in this season's title race after securing four podiums in a season dominated by Citroen's Sebastien Loeb. Their performances had been instrumental in Peugeot's challenge for the manufacturer's championship, with the team lying six points behind French rivals Citroen.

Michael is survived by wife Marie and children William and Victoria. wrc.com sends its condolences to Michael's friends and family.

 

Leading names in the World Rally Championship have been paying tribute to co-driver Michael Park, who was killed in an accident on this weekend's Wales Rally GB. The 39-year-old Brit has partnered Estonian Markko Martin since 2000, the pair rising through the ranks at Subaru and Ford before joining Peugeot this year.

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson was one of the service park luminaries who worked closest with Park and Martin as the pair won five rallies for the team between 2002 and 2004. "On behalf of the BP-Ford World Rally Team, I would like to express our heartfelt sympathies to the family of Michael Park - his wife, Marie, and children William and Victoria," Wilson said. "The reality and shock of today's tragedy will take some time to sink in for all of us. During three seasons with Ford, Michael became part of the family.

"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 Märtin and Michael's first world rally victory in Greece in 2003 was a proud moment for him.

"I will always appreciate the help and assistance he gave to my son, Matthew, and his co-driver Scott Martin. 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. Rallying has lost the ultimate professional and ambassador and we have all lost a true friend. He will be sadly missed."

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

"He reached the very top level of his profession, but still retained close links with his many friends and colleagues at grassroots 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."

Subaru team boss David Lapworth worked with Park when Martin drove for the Japanese team in 2001. "On behalf of all of us at the Subaru World Rally Team, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Michael's family and loved ones after today's terrible tragedy," Lapworth said. "Michael was a member of our team in 2001 and as part of the WRC family he remained a close friend to all of us at Subaru. Today's accident is shocking and in the circumstances all the teams and drivers felt unable to continue."