Fatal accident at SCCA ProRally Oregon
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danse
Joined: Jun 2003
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Fatal accident at SCCA ProRally Oregon
For those that haven't heard, 2001 ProRally champion Mark Lovell and co-driver Roger Freeman were killed yesterday in an accident on SS1 of the SCCA ProRally Oregon Trail rally. Details below. 
Series: SCCA Pro Rally
Subaru Rally Team USA superstars Mark Lovell, 43 , and Roger Freeman, 52, both of England, were fatally injured Saturday during the first special stage of the Oregon Trail SCCA ProRally event.
The first car away from the starting line, driver Lovell, and co-driver Freeman, left the prescribed course moments into the stage and struck a tree in their Subaru Impreza WRX. The two were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Details of the incident were held until the families were notified.
“This is a tragic day for the world of rallying and motorsports in general,” said Steve Johnson, SCCA President and CEO, who was in attendance at the event. “Mark Lovell and Roger Freeman were among the best crews in the world, but they were also great competitors as well. Our prayers go out to their families, Subaru Rally Team USA and all of their friends and supporters.”
The duo who had been rallying together for twenty years were competing in their third event together of 2003. They entered the Oregon Trail fresh from success winning the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb of June 27.
The 2001 Overall Drivers Champion, Lovell is survived by his wife, Julie, and his children Oliver and Thomas.
Roger Freeman is survived by his wife, Alison, and children Becky and John.
A decision was made to finish Day One of the rally while information regarding the accident was gathered and after rally organizers had consulted with SCCA national staff, national safety stewards and at the request of Subaru Rally Team USA Manager and close personal friend of Lovell and Freeman, David Campion. The field then ran an abbreviated schedule of stages later in the day. The rally will continue with the completion of the final six stages on Sunday as scheduled.
Source: SCCA
Series: SCCA Pro Rally
Subaru Rally Team USA superstars Mark Lovell, 43 , and Roger Freeman, 52, both of England, were fatally injured Saturday during the first special stage of the Oregon Trail SCCA ProRally event.
The first car away from the starting line, driver Lovell, and co-driver Freeman, left the prescribed course moments into the stage and struck a tree in their Subaru Impreza WRX. The two were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. Details of the incident were held until the families were notified.
“This is a tragic day for the world of rallying and motorsports in general,” said Steve Johnson, SCCA President and CEO, who was in attendance at the event. “Mark Lovell and Roger Freeman were among the best crews in the world, but they were also great competitors as well. Our prayers go out to their families, Subaru Rally Team USA and all of their friends and supporters.”
The duo who had been rallying together for twenty years were competing in their third event together of 2003. They entered the Oregon Trail fresh from success winning the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb of June 27.
The 2001 Overall Drivers Champion, Lovell is survived by his wife, Julie, and his children Oliver and Thomas.
Roger Freeman is survived by his wife, Alison, and children Becky and John.
A decision was made to finish Day One of the rally while information regarding the accident was gathered and after rally organizers had consulted with SCCA national staff, national safety stewards and at the request of Subaru Rally Team USA Manager and close personal friend of Lovell and Freeman, David Campion. The field then ran an abbreviated schedule of stages later in the day. The rally will continue with the completion of the final six stages on Sunday as scheduled.
Source: SCCA
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“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” - Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC)
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a.k.a. NeonDan
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im a Rally racing fan and i send my deepest condolences to the families...they were true heroes for you WRX guys aswell as Rally Racing here in the US. May they rest in peace
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Skittles.....tasty arent they?
Try the newest flavors yet?...Orange blast and white mint
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Last edited by ACR2NV; Jul 14, 2003 at 03:46 PM.
ASM FTW!
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thats all kinds of screwed up... how come none of the main competitors in the wrc seem to ever fall upon this fate? the courses they travel id imagine are far more treacherous, and these two guys were also very experienced in rallys... i dont get it>?
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It all depends. Anything can happen on any given day to the best or the worst drivers around. I don't know off the top of my head but I'm sure if you look back into the WRCs past you will be able to find similiar if not as tragic events.
