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
Result Year Rally Driver Car
Retired 1979 Rally New Zealand Pentti Airikkala Vauxhall Chevette 2300 HS
16 1980 Rally New Zealand John Tee Ford Escort
Retired 1984 Rally New Zealand Neil Allport Ford Escort RS1800
Retired 1985 Rally New Zealand Neil Allport Mazda RX7
6 1986 Rally New Zealand Neil Allport Mazda RX7
11 1986 Olympus Rally - United States Neil Allport Mazda Familia 4WD
Retired 1987 Rally New Zealand Neil Allport Mazda 323 4WD
Retired 1987 Rally of Great Britain Possum Bourne Subaru RX Turbo
9 1988 Safari Rally Kenya Possum Bourne Subaru RX Turbo
Retired 1988 Rally New Zealand Possum Bourne Subaru RX Turbo
7 1989 Safari Rally Kenya Possum Bourne Subaru RX Turbo
Retired 1989 Rally New Zealand Possum Bourne Subaru RX Turbo
Retired 1989 Rally Argentina Possum Bourne Subaru RX Turbo
10 1989 Rally Australia Possum Bourne Subaru RX Turbo
Retired 1990 Safari Rally Kenya Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
5 1990 Rally New Zealand Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
4 1990 Rally Australia Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
Retired 1991 Rally New Zealand Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
Retired 1991 Rally Australia Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
Retired 1992 Rally New Zealand Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
6 1992 Rally Australia Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
6 1993 Rally New Zealand Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS
Retired 1993 Rally Australia Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy RS

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
  1. http://www.nzsuperbike.com/2013/09/doctor-rodger-freeth-remembered-1950.html
  2. http://perthrallydriving.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Rodger_Freeth_Memorial_Mundaring_2013.jpg
  3. http://www.firstsundayapril.info/main.html
  4. Walker, Mick (2006). The Manx Norton. Redline Books. pp. 304–305. ISBN 0-9544357-9-6.
  5. "Rodger Freeth - Driver Profile". Rallye-Info.com. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  6. "Rodger Freeth « V8 – drag racing, hot rods, muscle cars, car shows – NZV8 magazine". V8.co.nz. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  7. "Yamaha TZ750A "Aerofoil" | Special Yamaha bikes | Special Yamaha bikes". Classicyams.com. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
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