Markko Martin announces retirement

Tallinn:

Estonian rally driver Markko Martin has decided to retire from the World Championship Rally circuit. Martin's co-driver Michael Park's was killed in a crash in September, but the Estonian said Park's death did not affect his decision to quit the sport and that he had made up his mind before the accident. Park was killed during the Wales Rally GB after their Peugeot went off the course and hit a tree. Martin was not injured. Park had been Martin's co-driver since 2000 and the pair won five world rallies together. Martin, 30, competed in 83 world rallies since making his debut in 1997, driving for Toyota, Subaru, Ford and Peugeot. His best overall finish was a third in 2004. (AP)