A rally for Marker

July 10, 2011

A Rally for Marker: Subaru racing dream goes on in memory of a friend
By Erin Crowell
Even before he could drive, rally car racer Matthew Marker wanted a Subaru
sponsorship.
“It was his dream,” said Marker’s girlfriend, Jennifer Majszak of Traverse
City. “He loved Subaru.”
That dream fell short on April 30 when Marker, an Elk Rapids resident, and
his co-driver Chris Gordon crashed their rally car at the Olympus Rally in
Ocean Shores, Washington.
Just over three minutes into the race, the drivers were entering the sixth
stage—a hairpin right turn—when Marker lost control of his Subaru WRX STI,
driving over the edge of a 40-foot ravine and crashing into a tree.
“After the impact, Chris was like, ‘Woah that was one hell of a ride,
buddy!’” explained Majszk, “(Chris) turned to Marker and said, ‘Marker,
turn off the car. Marker, turn off the car,’ but Marker didn’t respond.”
The 31-year-old was killed on impact.
“Right before the race in Ocean Shores, Subaru’s marketing guy had called,
saying they wanted to sponsor (Marker),” Majszak added between fresh
tears.

RALLYING FOR RALLY
Gordon and Majszak plan to continue Marker’s legacy by racing together in
the Rally America National Championship series, driving one of Marker’s
old rally cars -- Subura Impreza #536 – a purchase from a seller in Ohio
that will require major fundraising on part of the Subaroots race team.
The team will host a fundraiser at Union Street Station, in Traverse City,
on Sunday, July 17. The event will feature live music from several rock,
roots and reggae bands, along with a silent auction and memorabilia up for
sale.
“This is mainly about keeping the dream alive,” said 23-year-old Majszak,
who will serve as co-driver (or race navigator).
My responsibility is to tell the driver, through notes on a dash-mounted
computer, about what turns, hills and obstacles are coming up every tenth
of a mile, explained Majszak.
In rally car racing, a driver attempts to complete a cross-country course
(divided into stages) in the fastest amount of time – a course that takes
excellent driving skills, complete focus and quick reaction.
It’s a skill Marker taught Majszak when they first started dating.
“We spent Ninety percent of our time in the garage,” she laughed, adding
all four co-drivers on the Subaroots race team are female. “Which is
actually a completely rare thing.”

MARKER THE RACER
In rally racing, Marker was considered a popular driver among his peers
and had ambitions improving his Championship standings and taking part in
building his sport’s popularity, according to one race article.
“He was passionate about what he was doing,” said Majszak. “It was
exciting to watch him in a rally…seeing the way he cornered the turns and
kicked up these waves of snow that looked like the ocean. It was
beautiful.”
Marker’s friends and family say he died doing what he loved and continuing
his legacy by driving one of his cars is something special to the entire
Subaroots race team, as well as the racing community.
“It’s not everyday you get to have three people in one race car,” said
Majszak.

Help the Subaroots race team purchase one of Marker’s old racing cars by
attending a concert at Union Street Station, in Traverse City, on July 17,
from noon-9 p.m. Donate $10 at the door and listen to such bands as Levi
Britton, Bloodshot Victory, FunDubMentals, Damian, DJ Nesta, ONE, RJ
Schauer and more. Event includes a silent auction and Matthew Marker
memorabilia up for sale. For more information on the Subaroots race team,
visit nicoclub.com and search team #240.