Mark Lovell and Roger Freeman Fatally Injured Saturday, July 12th
07-14-2003 | 11:40 PM
#1
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Mark Lovell and Roger Freeman Fatally Injured Saturday, July 12th
Subaru Rally Team USA drivers Mark Lovell, 43, and Roger Freeman, 52 were both fatally injured Saturday, July 12th during the first special stage of the Oregon Trail ProRally event.
As the first car away from the starting line, Lovell (driver) and Freeman (Co-Driver) were the front runners in the event. The Subaru rally car that the two were driving stuck a tree at approx 80-130mph 0.9 miles into the stage. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.
The 2001 Overall Drivers Champion, Lovell is survived by his wife, Julia, and his children Oliver and Thomas. Roger Freeman is survived by his wife, Alison, and children Becky and John.
May they both rest in peace.
Last edited by brucelee; 07-16-2003 at 12:26 AM.
07-15-2003 | 04:21 AM
#5
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From: colorado
Sad news
Very sad to hear. We just saw them up here when they ran the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb last month. Came within 3-4 seconds of winning it all, took their class. Very fast driver, and a super person. Everyone who met Lovell was impressed by his easy going nature. Very plesent to talk to none of the primadona attitude so common today in top levels of sports.
The information on what happened is coming out slowly. Some is to do with respect for the families and wanting to ensure all notifications were made. Some due to the fact folks tend to keep those details under their hat until the event is over. Many of the participants did not learn what had happened until the Oregan Trail rally was finished.
The news that has trickled out so far is that they left the road and impacted a very large tree directly on the drivers side door. The car then slid across the road and ended up in the opposite ditch. Both men apparently died instantly from massive head, neck and chest injuries. Some reports say they were declared dead at the scene, but some early reports stated that the co-driver was airlifted.
Note that that sort of impact is very difficult to protect the driver/co-driver against. There is very little space to absorb all the energy and the seats shoulder harnesses and roll cage structure are best suited to protect them in front end impacts and roll over situations.
The NASCAR drivers have repeatedly commented on how hard a hit they take when the car slaps the wall directly on the side. There is just no give in the structure and the G forces are very high.
Keep in mind this is third hand bits and pieces I've picked up so all is subject to change as more info is available.
The Law enforcement authorities have to finish their investigation before a lot will be available, and I'm sure the SCCA and Subaru are both doing internal investigations to see what they can learn.
Early indications are there was no mechanical failure. One rally driver who said he was familiar with the course speculated that that stretch of the road right out of the starting area has a high crown and lots of gravel on the edges of the road. If the driver sets up his turn too far on the off camber side of the roads crown he thought the first turn would be big trouble.
Again only a digest of bits and pieces so don't consider this solid info at this point.
Larry
The information on what happened is coming out slowly. Some is to do with respect for the families and wanting to ensure all notifications were made. Some due to the fact folks tend to keep those details under their hat until the event is over. Many of the participants did not learn what had happened until the Oregan Trail rally was finished.
The news that has trickled out so far is that they left the road and impacted a very large tree directly on the drivers side door. The car then slid across the road and ended up in the opposite ditch. Both men apparently died instantly from massive head, neck and chest injuries. Some reports say they were declared dead at the scene, but some early reports stated that the co-driver was airlifted.
Note that that sort of impact is very difficult to protect the driver/co-driver against. There is very little space to absorb all the energy and the seats shoulder harnesses and roll cage structure are best suited to protect them in front end impacts and roll over situations.
The NASCAR drivers have repeatedly commented on how hard a hit they take when the car slaps the wall directly on the side. There is just no give in the structure and the G forces are very high.
Keep in mind this is third hand bits and pieces I've picked up so all is subject to change as more info is available.
The Law enforcement authorities have to finish their investigation before a lot will be available, and I'm sure the SCCA and Subaru are both doing internal investigations to see what they can learn.
Early indications are there was no mechanical failure. One rally driver who said he was familiar with the course speculated that that stretch of the road right out of the starting area has a high crown and lots of gravel on the edges of the road. If the driver sets up his turn too far on the off camber side of the roads crown he thought the first turn would be big trouble.
Again only a digest of bits and pieces so don't consider this solid info at this point.
Larry
Last edited by hotrod; 07-15-2003 at 04:29 AM.
07-15-2003 | 07:09 AM
#8
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The community response is overwhelmingly positive it seems. This, in my eyes is a good thing.
As someone stated in their post at least these men died doing what they love, they were pursuing a goal and attempting to push the limits.
Maybe this will be an eye opener to many of today's youth that attempt to recreate the rally commercials on the streets and highways of highly populated areas. If two seasoned professionals of this calibre can die in a closed course, with all the variables in their favor, then that proves we're all just a little closer to mortality than we thought before.
Our hearts go out to the families.
As someone stated in their post at least these men died doing what they love, they were pursuing a goal and attempting to push the limits.
Maybe this will be an eye opener to many of today's youth that attempt to recreate the rally commercials on the streets and highways of highly populated areas. If two seasoned professionals of this calibre can die in a closed course, with all the variables in their favor, then that proves we're all just a little closer to mortality than we thought before.
Our hearts go out to the families.
07-15-2003 | 03:03 PM
#12
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From: High in the Rockies!... but not too high
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It's funny how you can really connect with people sometimes without ever even meeting them, for me Mark was one of those people, he was one of my heros, I really enjoyed watching the way he made his car dance and and I'm gonna miss him. God's speed Mark and Roger and my heart goes out to their families and friends.
Last edited by SubySal; 07-15-2003 at 08:49 PM.
07-16-2003 | 07:38 AM
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From: NY
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My deepest sympathy to the families of Mark Lovell and Roger Freeman.
Saw them @ the Susquehannock Pro-Rally in Wellsboro, PA in early June. I remember how they took the turn we were camped out at--> FREAKIN' AWESOME......they knocked down the stop sign too
Legends leave our world doing what they love
Legends also live on forever in the hearts and minds of all Rally Enthusiats
Saw them @ the Susquehannock Pro-Rally in Wellsboro, PA in early June. I remember how they took the turn we were camped out at--> FREAKIN' AWESOME......they knocked down the stop sign too
Legends leave our world doing what they love
Legends also live on forever in the hearts and minds of all Rally Enthusiats