The right-hand side of the car hit a tree

Michael Park, 39, was partnering Estonian Markko Martin when the Peugeot 307 they were in hit a tree. The final stages of the rally were cancelled.

Park, from Newent, Gloucestershire, was in a serious crash with Martin last year in Argentina. Their car was written off and both went to hospital.

He had driven with Martin since 2000. The pair had won five world rallies.

Park - nicknamed "Beef" - had been a familiar face in the world championship since 1994, when he was co-driver for Mark Higgins.

Married with children, Herefordshire-born Park had also worked with former champions Richard Burns and Colin McRae. Sunday's crash happened during the 17-mile Margam stage of the rally. Initial reports said the car heavily into a tree on Park's side.

Organisers confirmed at 1045 BST that Park had suffered fatal injuries. Martin escaped without injury.

Co-driver Park died in the crash

The stage was halted immediately and will not be resumed. The second run through the Margam leg, scheduled to be the last stage, was also cancelled.

The competitors returned to the Millennium Stadium for presentations. As a mark of respect for Park, none of the planned celebrations involving champagne and fireworks took place. A one-minute silence was also held.

Norwegian Petter Solberg was named the winner.

Peugeot issued a statement saying the car had left the route shortly after the start of the stage.

"Peugeot Automobiles and Peugeot Sport would like to express their feeling of extreme sadness and deep emotion to the family of Michael Park, known affectionately as 'Beef'," the statement said.