Michael Park 1966 - 2005

Michael Park, one of the world's top co-drivers, has died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident on stage 15 on the final leg of Wales Rally GB 2005. As co-driver to Markko Martin, 'Beef', as Park was affectionately known, enjoyed considerable success with the Estonian during three seasons at Ford before switching to Peugeot for 2005.

Park had been a rally enthusiast since childhood, "I watched a road rally go past my house when I was about 10 years old.  Then, as soon as I was old enough to drive, I was off to the local Motor Club to see what it was all about."

Prior to being a co-driver, he used to be involved with what was then called the RAC Rally in a unique job that he himself described this past week. "I used to work as coordinator for a number of teams and my job included recceing the route to find the best service locations and marking up hundreds of maps. It was fun, but also very tiring."

Michael's first event as a co-driver was for Andy Gwynne on the 1986 Hereford Novices Road Rally.

He also gained experience with some of Britain's top talents, working 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 Rally Championship. His big break, however, came when he teamed up with Markko Martin as privateers in a Toyota Corolla for the 2000 World Rally Championship season.

In 2001, Michael told us about his rallying ambitions, "To get Markko Martin into a factory car and compete in the WRC at the highest level."

And so he did! That same year, after a string of impressive performances, they were signed up by Subaru. "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," commented David Lapworth, Subaru team principal.

The two then moved to Ford in 2002 taking two wins in Greece and Finland, and a further three in 2004. Ford's team director, Malcolm Wilson said, "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."

Michael and Markko were lying fourth in this year's WRC 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 loved his work, ""Markko masters the subtleties of the English language perfectly. He even gets my jokes! The pacenote system we use today is based on the British system with the odd word of Estonian every now and again. Another feature of the way we work is that Markko asks me not to talk too quickly when calling out the notes, and that can come across as being a bit of a drone. Whenever I watch onboard TV footage, I don't like the impression I get that my voice is slow or that I call out the notes at the last moment. But it works for my driver and that's the main thing!"

Ford's team director Malcom Wilson called Michael "the ultimate professional" and he was clearly appreciated by his fellow WRC competitors. At the end of Rally GB 2005 Colin McRae said, "We have had a sad end to the rally with the death of Michael Park. He was one of the championship's real characters, and a really genuine person."

Skoda team leader, Armin Schwarz, who will retire from the FIA World Rally Championship at the end of this season, said, "I am absolutely shocked and shattered. I would like to express my deep felt compassion for his wife and his two children. Michael was a good friend and a fabulous colleague of mine. I am deeply sad."

Michael is survived by wife Marie and children William and Victoria. Everyone at rallycodriver sends our condolences to Michael's friends and family.

The Editor
20/9/05

Personal statement from Marie Park and family

"Marie, Victoria, William and all of Michael's family wish to thank everybody in the world of rallying, in Britain, internationally and in particular Estonia, for their kind words and messages of love and support. It is impossible to respond personally to everybody, but we really appreciate the genuine kindness at this difficult time."

• Michael Park's funeral will be held at 12.00pm on Thursday October 6 at St Bartholomew's Church, Much Marcle, Ledbury, Herefordshire
• Messages of condolence should be sent to joanna.tp@turning-point.com.pl
• These will be collated, bound and presented to the family after the funeral

Ford WRT
21/9/05