Rodger "Roj" Vincent Freeth, 24 December 1953[1][2][3] – 18 September 1993) was a New Zealand motor sport competitor.
Personal information | |
---|---|
Nationality | New Zealander |
Born | (1953-12-24)24 December 1953 Tauranga, New Zealand |
Died | 18 September 1993(1993-09-18) (aged 39) Perth, Australia |
World Rally Championship record | |
Active years | 1977–1993 |
Driver | Possum Bourne Neil Allport John Tee Pentti Airikkala Alan Carter |
Teams | Subaru World Rally Team Subaru Tecnica International |
Rallies | 24 |
Championships | 0 |
Rally wins | 0 |
Podiums | 0 |
Stage wins | 15 |
First rally | 1977 Rally New Zealand |
Last rally | 1993 Rally Australia |
He held a PhD in physics and had a distinguished academic and motorsport career. His first love was motorcycles and whilst he was still at university he built a radical Yamaha TZ750A with an aerofoil. As a result, the controlling body (New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union) banned the use of aerodynamic aids in motorcycle racing. He won the Arai 500[4] endurance race at Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst, Australia in 1982 and 1985, as well as NZ titles on NZ-built McIntosh Suzukis.
He later became one of New Zealand's best known rally co-drivers, first with Neil Allport and then with Peter "Possum" Bourne. As a driver he also won TraNZam titles in his V8 Starlet.
Freeth died in 1993 as a result of injuries received in an accident on the first day of the World Championship event Rally Australia co-driving for Possum Bourne.[5][6][7]
Result | Year | Rally | Driver | Car |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 1981 | Motogard of Rally New Zealand | Alan Mitchell | Ford Escort RS1800 |
2 | 1988 | Rally Australia (APRC) | Possum Bourne | Subaru RX Turbo |