RALLY ACE DIES IN CRASH



British rally co-driver Michael Park has been killed in the Wales Rally, GB.

He died after his car crashed during a special stage near Margam, organisers said.

The rally, 12th round of the world championship, was stopped immediately and the final two stages in South Wales were cancelled.

Park had been co-driver in a Peugeot driven by top Estonian Markko Martin when the car veered off the road and hit a tree.

They were competing in the 15th special stage of the rally.

Park, 39, nicknamed Beef, was a highly-experienced co-driver who had worked with former champions Richard Burns and Colin McRae.

He teamed up with Martin in 2000 when the Estonian was rallying a privately-entered Toyota.

A statement from Peugeot said: "Markko Martin left the route shortly after the start of the second stage of the day and hit a tree on the right hand side of the car, mortally wounding his co-driver Michael Park.

"Peugeot Automobiles and Peugeot Sport would like to express their feeling of extreme sadness and deep emotion to the family of Michael Park, known affectionately as Beef."

Martin and Park had won five world rallies together.