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Saturday, 7 January 2006, 13:27 GMT

Martin plans to end rally career

Markko Martin is ready to wave goodbye to rallying Estonian Markko Martin has revealed he plans to quit driving in the World Rally Championship.

The former Peugeot driver has not competed since his co-pilot Michael Park was killed in an accident during the Wales Rally GB in September.

"I will probably not enter the World Championship carousel any more," the 30-year-old Martin was quoted as saying in the Estonian press.

"Never say never, but I don't see myself doing it in the near future."

Martin was clearly shaken by Park's death but says the tragedy is not behind his decision to quit the sport.

"My career ended on a very bad note," said Martin.

"I feel terribly sorry for what happened but I know full well the chances were 50:50 that the same fate could have befallen me.

"I have always thought people should grow up at around the age of 30."

Martin has now set up his own junior squad in Estonia and is training two young drivers for the national rally championship.

He entered the WRC with a small Toyota team in 1998 before he was snapped up by Subaru.

Martin notched up five wins during his career and finished third in the drivers' standings in 2004.



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Related to this story:

Martin calls early end to season (10 Oct 05 |  Rallying )
Rally world pays tribute to Park (18 Sep 05 |  Rallying )
Co-driver Park dies in accident (18 Sep 05 |  Rallying )
Rallying suffers double team blow (04 Nov 04 |  Rallying )

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World Rally Championship
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