Rodger Freeth
# Rodger Freeth

Rodger "Roj" Vincent Freeth, Ph.D., (24 December 1953 – 18 September 1993) was a New Zealand motor sport competitor.

## Career

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 endurance race at Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst, Australia in 1982 and 1985, as well as NZ titles on NZ-built McIntosh Suzukis.

## Awards and recognition

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.

## 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 |
