Two rally drivers have died in a crash at a private event held by a military camp in Hampshire.
The pair of highly experienced motorists, Shawn Rayner and his navigator Steve Dear, both from Donegal, Ireland, were taking part in a special stage rally at the former Bramley military camp near Basingstoke, according to motor sport officials.
Details regarding the crash are currently unclear.
Two Irish rally drivers have died in a crash at a private event held by a military camp in Hampshire. The pair of highly experienced motorists, Shawn Rayner and his navigator Steve Dear (pictured), both from Donegal, Ireland, were taking part in a special stage rally
Hampshire police are assisting the event organisers with their investigation into why the collision occurred.
It is unknown as to whether the driver Mr Rayner, and co-driver Mr Dear, were driving their usual choice of car, a 25-year-old Ford Escort RS 2000, when competing in the Loco 2 stages rally on Friday.
A spokesman for the Irish club in Donegal said today: ‘RIP to the two lads and deepest condolences to all their families. Your attitude and smile made you welcome visitors every time you came to Ireland.’
Hampshire police said they were called to the rally at the army training area shortly before 1.30pm on Friday.
Both drivers (pictured here in a previous competition race) were taking part in a special stage rally at the former Bramley military camp near Basingstoke, according to motor sport officials
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘As this is a private event, on private land, officers are assisting the event organisers as their investigations into the circumstances of the collision get under way.
‘However, we can confirm that the two people in the car died as a result of the collision. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.’
The Motor Sports Association which controls rallying and racing in the UK said: ‘ Two rally competitors died after an accident during an event held near Basingstoke in the south of England which occurred on December 29 at the Bramley Camp in Hampshire, the venue for the Loco Two Stages Rally, which was running there for the first time.
‘Details regarding the crash are currently unclear and the names of the deceased are yet to be confirmed officially. We are working with organisers Sutton and Cheam Motor Club and the police to establish what had happened.
The pair competing in Donegal this year in their usual choice of vehicle – a 25-year-old Ford Escort RS 2000
A spokesman for the Irish club in Donegal said today: ‘RIP to the two lads and deepest condolences to all their families. Your attitude and smile made you a welcome visitors every time you came to Ireland’ (pictured: the pair’s rally car)
‘We deeply regret that two competitors have lost their lives as the result of an accident on the Loco 2 Stages rally – the competitors who have tragically died were the driver and co-driver of one car. Their next of kin have been informed.
‘As with all serious incidents in or around UK motorsport, the MSA is now working with the event-organising club and the police to establish precisely what happened on this occasion. The MSA sends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased crew.’
According to the rally organiser’s website, the event featured eight stages on single-track roads within the closed army camp, north of Basingstoke.
The preliminary entry list published on 19 December showed 33 competitors.