Rodger Freeth
Rodger Vincent Freeth, Ph.D., (24 December 1953 [1][2][3] – 18 September 1993) was a New Zealand motor sport competitor.
He held a Ph.D. 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]
World Rally Championship results
Other International Rally results
| 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 |
References
- ↑ http://www.nzsuperbike.com/2013/09/doctor-rodger-freeth-remembered-1950.html
- ↑ http://perthrallydriving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Rodger_Freeth_Memorial_Mundaring_2013.jpg
- ↑ http://www.firstsundayapril.info/main.html
- ↑ Walker, Mick (2006). The Manx Norton. Redline Books. pp. 304–305. ISBN 0-9544357-9-6.
- ↑ "Rodger Freeth - Driver Profile". Rallye-Info.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ↑ "Rodger Freeth « V8 – drag racing, hot rods, muscle cars, car shows – NZV8 magazine". V8.co.nz. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
- ↑ "Yamaha TZ750A "Aerofoil" | Special Yamaha bikes | Special Yamaha bikes". Classicyams.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
