Conquest engineer dies in car crash.

Craig Perkins, the engineer for top Indy Racing League rookie Laurent Redon in 2002, was killed in an automobile accident earlier this week near his home in Austin, Texas.

Perkins, 37, helped guide Redon to the 2002 Bombardier Rookie of the Year title with Mi-Jack Conquest Racing. It was his first season working in the IRL.

"Craig was a wonderful husband and father as well as a talented professional whose career was just blossoming," team owner Eric Bachelart said. "We have worked together since 1997 and made the jump from Indy Lights to the IRL in 2002. Our sense of the loss to (wife) MaryAnne, his children, and family is overwhelming."

Perkins was a national karting champion before turning to race car engineering. He worked as an engineer with sports cars, dragsters, Formula Ford 2000, Toyota Atlantic and Indy Lights cars. He also served as a driving coach and teacher for the Ferrari Challenge series and with the Skip Barber Racing School.

Perkins is survived by his wife, MaryAnne, and sons, Zane and Vance.

A funeral will take place on Saturday in Austin.

Contributions to the Craig M. Perkins Memorial Fund can be sent to:

Mi-Jack Conquest Racing,
8010 Woodland Drive,
Indianapolis,
IN 46278.