The Michael Park "Beef" Trophy is awarded annually in memory of Michael Park who died in a tragic accident during Wales Rally GB in 2005, while co-driving for his long term partner Markko Märtin.

Michael is much missed by the entire World Rally Championship (WRC) community. To perpetuate his memory a group of friends and colleagues - inspired by Vincent Laverne – commissioned the trophy.

The bronze bust was created by French artist François Chevalier and has been donated to his wife Marie and children William and Victoria

Each season a smaller trophy is awarded to a WRC co-driver who has best demonstrated the overall qualities associated with Michael during his career, with consideration taken into account of overall performances, attitude, commitment and other specific actions or achievements.

The decision is made by a jury selected from the WRC community. In 2006 the inaugural trophy was presented to Daniel Elena from Monaco and in 2007 the trophy was awarded to Finland's Timo Rautiainen.

For 2008 the jury comprised:

* Paul Turner 
* Robert Reid
* Fred Gallagher
* Vincent  Laverne

They had to choose between five nominated co-drivers:

* David Senior (Great Britain)
* Denis Giraudet (France)
* Scott Martin (Great Britain)
* Stephane Prevot (Belgium)
* Jarmo Lehtinen(Finland)

We are pleased to announce that in 2008 Denis Giraudet has been chosen as the third winner of the Michael Park "Beef" Trophy.

His achievements include the following;

Six WRC victories in a career spanning more than 30 years.
A highly professional and charismatic Co-driver who is universally popular in the WRC community and was greatly respected and admired by Michael Park as someone who continually demonstrated the true spirit of Rallying.
World Rally Championship Co Driver for Didier Auriol (F), Juha Kankunnen (FIN) Armin Schwarz (D), Philippe Bulgalski (F), Thomas Radstrom (S), Stephane Sarrazin (F), Nicolas Bernardi (F) and this year Francois Duval (B) on Rally GB
Gave up his own Rally in Japan this year to provide help and support to Patrick Pivato and Francois Duval after their serious accident. Agreed at short notice to Co-drive for Duval in Wales this weekend as replacement for the injured Pivato.

The trophy was presented to Denis by Francois Duval and Paul Turner (Michael's and Markko's Manager) at the official start ceremony of Wales Rally GB in Cardiff on the evening of Thursday 4th December.

The above image is copyright free.

For further information: paul.tp@turning-point.com.pl