Peugeot racer killed during Wales rally
CARDIFF, Wales -- Peugeot co-driver Michael Park was killed during the Wales Rally GB on Sunday after his car went off the course and hit a tree.
The 39-year-old Englishman sustained fatal injuries during the 17-mile, 15th stage, organizers said. Markko Martin, the driver, was not injured. Peugeot said Martin struck a tree on the right side of the car.
Park had been Martin's co-driver since 2000 and the pair had won five world rallies together.
Organizers canceled the remaining two stages. Citroen's Sebastien Loeb had been leading the race, but decided to take a time penalty which gave Petter Solberg the victory and delayed Loeb's winning the series title.
"The 10 points for Loeb's victory would have been enough to seal a second consecutive drivers' title for the French Citroen driver, but he was understandably keen to avoid this situation," organizers said in a statement.
"As a result, he deliberately opted to check in to the final time control late to incur a two-minute penalty which dropped him to third overall behind Citroen teammate Francois Duval and Solberg."
Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm pulled out of the race as a mark of respect for Park, who was survived by his wife Marie and two children.
Competitors returned to Cardiff to a subdued victory ceremony, where the traditional champagne-spraying ceremony was canceled and a minute's silence was held.
Loeb can win the title in the Japan Rally on Sept. 30-Oct. 2. He has 93 points, followed by Gronholm with 61 and Solberg with 55. Citroen leads the manufacturers' standings with 123 points. Peugeot is second with 117.
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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