Prodrive saddened by loss of Lovell, Freeman.

British engineering firm and rally specialist Prodrive has expressed its shock and remorse over the death of factory driver Mark Lovell and co-driver Roger Freeman on this weekend's Oregon Trail Rally in the USA.

Lovell and Freeman died on the first stage on the Oregon Trail SCCA ProRally, after their Subaru Impreza left the road and struck a tree. Despite the immediate attention of medical teams, both were declared dead at the scene. Prodrive, which runs the team on behalf of Subaru USA, is now working with the event organisers and the authorities to establish what led to the accident.

"Everyone at Prodrive is shocked at the news," said company chairman David Richards, "Mark and Roger have been a part of the team at Prodrive for many years and they will both be sorely missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with both families and friends."

The crew first drove together in the British Rally Championship in 1986, taking the title in a Ford RS200 before later splitting up for professional reasons. Lovell made the move to the United States to become a part of the Subaru Rally Team USA on the SCCA scene from the beginning of 2001, winning the championship that year, while Freeman also worked with Prodrive, previously co-driving Japanese driver Toshihiro Arai in the World Rally Championship. However, the successful pairing was rekindled earlier this season, and immediately brought results as they won the prestigious Pikes Peak International hillclimb two weeks ago.

"Today is the saddest day's rallying I can ever remember," commented Subaru Team USA manager David Campion, "I have been competing with both Mark and Roger for twenty years now, and for their careers to be cut short like this is a tragic, tragic blow.

"Both were complete professionals in their preparation and approach to what they regarded as a life-long passion. Words cannot describe the feelings of everyone within the team from Subaru, STI and Prodrive. What more can I add to say, except that both have left a huge gap in the team. Our thoughts are with [wives] Julia and Alison and their children at this time."