Mark Lovell and Roger Freeman

This accomplished British rally duo were killed in a violent accident on the Oregon Trails Rally in America. Both died when their Subaru Impreza crashed into a tree within a few hundred metres of the start of the event.

Lovell, aged 43, was a star of British rallying in the 1980s, and won the ’86 British title in a Ford RS200. He remained with Ford until the end of the ’80s, but was then out of the limelight until the chance to compete for Subaru in the emerging American championship came along. He duly won the 2001 title and was contesting the 2003 crown when the accident occurred.

Roger Freeman, 52, was one of Britain’s most respected co-drivers and first partnered Lovell in 1986. Although he retired from co-driving in ’88, he was tempted back to co-drive for Lovell again this season.