RIP Gareth Roberts

This won't be a report on the events of today's tragic Targa Florio Rally, and I don't believe there should be one, but instead will be a piece in memory of a hugely popular, widely respected and massively talented co-driver, Gareth Roberts.

Gareth was a rising star, one of the most popular and well-liked co-drivers I knew of. He was well deserved of the place he got alongside Craig Breen, another hugely talented young driver, when the duo tackled the first WRC Academy last season. The beginning of the year was fraught with bad luck, but they got what they deserved in the end, a final stage win in Wales, the final round of the series. They became the first WRC Academy Champions, and there was no crew more deserved of it.

This year saw Craig and Gareth step up to the S-WRC. The season could have hardly started more perfectly. Breen won the opening round of the S-WRC in Monte Carlo and took second place behind PG Andersson's works Proton in Sweden. After Portugal, they lead the Championship by 6 points over Hayden Paddon. Craig elected next weekend's New Zealand as his rally to miss.

Gareth trained as an electrician, and his career as co-driver began in 2004, and quickly became known for his skill as a co-driver and a maturity that far exceeded his years. His career really took off when he partnered kart racer turned-rally driver Craig Breen in 2009. In 2009 alone, the pair claimed both Fiesta Sport Trophy Championships in Ireland and in Britain, as well as the Fiesta Sport Trophy International. As well as those three Championships, they both won the Fiesta Sport Trophy International Shootout.

In 2010, the massively talented duo stepped up to S2000 machinery, campaigning a Ford Fiesta S2000 in the British Rally Championship and Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. He won his first BRC event on the Ulster Rally, and took second overall in the ITRC, taking the fight to the WRC-powered crews the whole way from start to finish.

Craig and Gareth on their way to 5th overall on the Circuit of Ireland 2012

2011 was his WRC Acedemy title year, and 2012 was to be the season that put the Irish/Welsh pairing on the map. With a full drive in the S-WRC, and selected drives in the IRC, they were on the up. It was only a matter of time before they hit the big time, in a works car in the WRC. And what an impact they would have made.

Tributes poured in from the moment the news broke. They came in from far & wide, with tributes from Mikko Hirvonen, Giandomenico Basso, Malcolm Wilson, Matthew Wilson, Pirelli's Paul Hembery, and former fellow WRC Acedemy competitor Alastair Fisher. Thousands of tributes were paid to Gareth on the social media website Facebook. A Facebook page was set up in memory of Gareth, and has received over 1,000 'likes' within a few hours.

Giandomenico Basso, who was visibly affected by the events of today, said: “These are things that should not happen; one of those terrible, chance things that is very hard to believe. I’ve really not got any words to say how I am feeling at the moment. It’s a horrible situation we are all faced with together and I am so sad and sorry. That’s all really.”

IRC Manager Jean-Pierre Nicolas said: From the start of this year, together with Craig Breen, Gareth has put in some excellent performances and the crew really got themselves noticed. There’s no doubt in my mind that these performances would have got even better. At this terrible time, I’m thinking very much of Gareth’s family.” He also added that “the Targa Florio is an event where many great champions have left us in the past, and sadly this has happened again”.

Alastair Fisher said: “I cannot believe what’s happened. I’m totally devastated. My thoughts are with Gareth’s family and of course Craig.”

Craig himself paid this tribute to Gareth after taking the WRC academy title in Wales last year, barely seven months prior to the tragedy.

“He’s kept my feet on the ground this weekend, which is not an easy job. Having to leave service for the last three stages knowing there was no possibility other than to win them all was very difficult. But he’s really kept me on the straight and narrow so it’s all credit to him. He’s the littlest Welsh wizard but the best of them for sure.” he said.

I didn't know Gareth personally, but I knew of him within rallying. I met him twice, once as an autograph hunter and another as a photographer. Both times will leave a lasting impression on me, his calm approach to everything caught me off guard both times. I first heard of the accident as I walked through the service park of the Donegal International Rally today, and it only hit home when I opened my computer to see the literally thousands of tributes being paid to Gareth, showing how well known and respected he was. When reading the tributes paid to Gareth, I can't help but feel slightly emotional as I know a near certain World Champion co-driver has now left us.

GRN would like to send our most sincere condolences to Gareth's family, and we also keep Craig in our thoughts as well at this difficult time.

RIP Gareth, you will be missed.