Britain's Gareth Roberts, who died in an accident on the Targa Florio Rally on Saturday morning, was one of the most well-regarded rally co-drivers.
Born in Camarthen, Wales, the 24-year-old had risen through the ranks of national rallying to earn his place in the World Rally Championship. Co-driving Irishman Craig Breen, Roberts won the World Rally Championship Academy title on last year's Rally GB. And the Roberts-Breen partnership looked set to flourish this season.
Not only was Roberts embarking on an Intercontinental Rally Challenge programme, but he was also partnering Breen in the Super 2000 WRC, where the pair celebrated a debut series win on the Monte Carlo Rally. Roberts' maturity and ability went well beyond his years and his calm and collected nature in the car was the perfect foil for Breen's talent in the seat beside him.
The loss of such a young talent stunned the rallying community and no words can hope to ease the pain of those family and friends fortunate enough to have known Gareth.