Richard Burns passes away

**LUD02C** · 27-11-2005 11:31 AM

Former world rally champion Richard Burns has died after a long illness, a statement issued on behalf of his family said on Saturday. The Briton, who was 34, died on Friday evening of a brain tumour with his partner, family and close friends at his bedside. He had been in a coma for some days.

By a sad coincidence, his death came on the fourth anniversary of his championship win with Subaru in 2001.

The Briton was diagnosed with the astrocytoma, a form of a brain tumour, after blacking out at the wheel on his way to the British Rally in Wales in 2003 where he could have won a second championship with Peugeot.

He had been due to return to Subaru in 2004 but the illness forced him to withdraw from that season.

"You don't become a world champion without being a great, great driver," world rally supremo David Richards, whose Prodrive company also runs the Subaru team, told Reuters.

"He will stand out amongst them as one of the icons of the sport.

"We were very confident (in 2003) of him coming back to us and winning another title."

The only other Briton to have won the championship was Scottish driver Colin McRae, also with Subaru, in 1995. The two drivers were great rivals, contrasting personalities who frequently clashed but also respected one another.

Burns, overall runner-up in 1999 and 2000 and winner of 10 rounds of the world rally championship, had a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy last year and in April this year underwent brain surgery.

GOOD HUMOUR

"From the outset, Richard knew that the odds were heavily against him and yet he fought his illness with bravery and good humour," said a statement issued on his family's behalf.

"Having undergone both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he was able to leave hospital in summer 2004. For a while his health showed signs of improvement but then after six months it once again began to decline.

"Determined not to give up, he opted for surgery earlier this year. This alleviated some of the symptoms of his illness and enabled him to remain active," the statement added.

"At Castle Combe in August he attended a parade of the rally cars that he drove throughout his career and was touched by the warmth of the reception he received.

"However there was to be no miracle and in recent days he lapsed into a coma."

Richards said he had received emails from all over the world, including several from Kenya where Burns won his first world championship rally with Mitsubishi in 1998, paying tribute to the driver.

"It's easy to think of him just as an English star but remember that he won events all around the world and he had an extraordinary following," he said.

"He stood out, tall, looked slightly different with his gingery hair from the rest of the crowd and I suppose was very recognisable.

"He was the first English world champion and he did it in great style as well, he was very professional in the way he went about it," Richards added.

"He and Colin were great pals but nonetheless two completely opposite ends of the spectrum with Colin's flamboyance and Richard's sheer determination and professionalism. He (Burns) had a very methodical, determined style."

Reuters - 26/11/2005

**^^v** · 27-11-2005 11:41 AM

oh damn...
din even know he was sick...

RIP......

**Miss Chanel** · 27-11-2005 11:41 AM

Its sad becuase the news was he was getting better a few months ago after surgery then all of a sudden he's gone..

**Pogi** · 27-11-2005 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by ^^v

oh damn...
din even know he was sick...

RIP......

ditto...poor guy and his family

he will be missed

**J-MuN** · 27-11-2005 05:12 PM

Rest in Peace. He was well respected by many. He will be missed for sure.

**sodaz** · 27-11-2005 05:48 PM

That's so sad. I thought he was going to get better some day. He will definitely be missed by many.

**jackosimm** · 28-11-2005 06:41 PM

Shocking how they can just dissapear like this, rip

**Vivski** · 30-11-2005 12:13 AM

It hasn't been a great year for WRC. It's lost a top co-driver, a top journalist and now a former World Champion driver. As an ex-Richard Burns fan, this is sad news for me.

I have fond memories of watching him in the WRC. I also have him to thank for his part in Richard Burns Rally, the most realistic rally game to date.

RIP Burnsie. He was only 35yo.

**PaZzMaN-R** · 01-12-2005 08:22 PM

uhhh what a tradgedy and what a fantastic driver will be missed pitty about him not being able to return to subaru aswell. they were a winning combination.