Michael Park (co-driver) facts for kids
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Michael Park (left) and Markko Märtin (right)
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 June 1966 Newent, Gloucestershire, England |
| Died | 18 September 2005 (aged 39) Bryn, Neath Port Talbot, Wales |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 1999, 1999–2005 |
| Teams | Lukoil EOS Rally Team, Subaru World Rally Team, Ford, Peugeot |
| Rallies | 83 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rally wins | 5 |
| Podiums | 18 |
| Stage wins | 101 |
| First rally | 1994 RAC Rally |
| Last rally | 2005 Wales Rally GB |
Michael Steven Park (born June 22, 1966 – died September 18, 2005) was a famous rally co-driver from Newent, England. A co-driver is like a navigator in a rally car. They help the driver by reading notes about the road ahead. This helps the driver go as fast and safely as possible.
Michael Park worked with top drivers like Richard Burns and Colin McRae. He helped them understand the rally stages. His big chance came when he teamed up with Markko Märtin from Estonia. They started as a private team in a Toyota Corolla WRC car. This was in the 2000 World Rally Championship season.
Contents
Michael Park's Rally Career
Teaming Up with Markko Märtin
After showing great skill, Michael Park and Markko Märtin joined the Subaru World Rally Team in 2001. Later, they moved to Ford. Here, they became one of the best driver and co-driver teams in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Winning Rallies
In 2003, Michael and Markko won two rallies. These victories were in Greece and Finland. They did even better in 2004, winning three rallies. These wins happened in Mexico, Corsica, and Catalunya. Their success showed how strong their partnership was.
Impact and Legacy
A Tragic Accident
Michael Park sadly passed away during the 2005 Wales Rally GB. This happened because of an accident where his Peugeot 307 WRC car left the road. At that time, Markko and Michael were doing very well in the 2005 season. They had earned four podium finishes.
Focus on Safety
Michael Park's death was a very sad event for the sport. It was the first time a top-level rally co-driver had died in an accident since 1993. This tragedy made everyone in motorsport think more about safety. They worked to make rally cars and events even safer for drivers and co-drivers.
Markko Märtin once said, "Park wasn't my co-driver, I was his pilot." This shows how much he respected Michael and their strong bond.
Remembering Michael Park
On June 20, 2006, a special memorial was put up for Michael Park. It is located in Tallinn, Estonia. This monument helps people remember his life and his achievements in rallying.
WRC victories
| Number | Event | Season | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  50 th BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally of Greece |
2003 | Markko Märtin | Ford Focus RS WRC 03 |
| 2 |  53rd Neste Rally Finland |
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| 3 |  18º Corona Rally México |
2004 | ||
| 4 |  48ème Tour de Corse - Rallye de France |
Ford Focus RS WRC 04 | ||
| 5 |  40º Rallye Catalunya-Costa Brava (Rallye de España) |
See also
In Spanish: Michael Park para niños
