Richard Burns Passes Away (English WRX Driver)

**Fusen** · 26th November 2005

Burns passes away

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.

Burns, who in 2001 with Subaru became the only English driver to win the world championship, was diagnosed with the tumour while with Peugeot in 2003 after blacking out at the wheel on his way to the British Rally in Wales.

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

The Briton, 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.

"From the outset, Richard knew that the odds were heavily against him and yet he fought his illness with bravery and good humour," said the statement.

"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."

He died on the fourth anniversary of his championship win.

http://www.eurosport.com/home/pages/...to794564.shtml

**gunner** · 26th November 2005

Damn, Burns and Miyagi - two legends dead in 2 days.

**stimpy** · 26th November 2005

Don't forget Best! That makes it three!

**snow white** · 26th November 2005

The old saying must be true. Everything comes in threes. :nowords:

R.I.P.

BM · 26th November 2005

Originally Posted by www.crash.net

Richard Burns, the 2001 World Rally champion, has died at the age of 34 after a long battle against illness.

The former Mitsubishi, Subaru and Peugeot driver hasn't competed in the WRC since 2003 when he passed out at the wheel on his way to Wales Rally GB and was diagnosed as suffering from a brain tumour.

Burns underwent surgery again earlier this year, but passed away on Friday evening � on the fourth anniversary of his WRC title win � with his family and close friends at his side..

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=4&nid=122609

We loose another great Rally driver and my thoughts are with his family

RIP

**matt1chelski** · 26th November 2005

Very sad news, although it was a long illness, last i heard, things were on the up for him.

RIP

ABCMan · 26th November 2005

Richard Burns, who won the World Rally Championship in 2001, has died at the age of 34 after a long illness, on the fourth anniversary of his title win.
Burns had not competed since he passed out at the wheel of his road car on the way to the Wales Rally GB in 2003.

He was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent surgery in April.

Burns was championship runner-up in 1999 and 2000 before becoming the first Englishman to land the coveted world title 12 months later.

Burns' family paid tribute to him in a statement, saying: "From the outset Richard knew that the odds were heavily against him and yet he fought his illness with bravery and good humour.

"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.

Richard Burns' career in photos

"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.

"The date of a memorial service will be announced shortly."

Burns made his rallying breakthrough in 1990 when he won the national 205GTI challenge series and he then lifted the Mintex National series title.

He then joined Subaru and became the British Championship's youngest winner in 1993.

After a spell in the Asia Pacific Championship and the occasional world championship drive, he entered for his first full season in 1998, partnering world champion Tommi Makinen for Mitsubishi.

Twelve months later he moved to Subaru and he made his first title challenge as wins in Greece, Australia and Britain helped him finish second in the final standings.

In 2000 he looked on course to win the world title, having led the championship race for some time, but he was pipped to glory by Marcus Gronholm - even though he won the season-ending Rally of Great Britain.

However he was not to be denied and in 2001 he became the first Englishman to take the championship.

After a poor start to the season, he finished second behind Colin McRae in Argentina to spark his challenge. Two more runners-up spots followed before he earned his first victory of the campaign in New Zealand.

Another second spot - this time in Australia - set up a thrilling finale at the Rally of Great Britain where Burns delighted his home fans by finishing third, which was enough to clinch the title.

He switched teams in the close-season, leaving Subaru for Peugeot but did not manage to win an event all season despite claiming four second-place finishes as he came fifth in the championship standings.

Burns made a good start to his 2003 campaign and he led the field by six points after three events and held a four-point lead in the middle of the season.

He lost his lead with two events to go and was taken ill on his way to the season-ending Rally GB.

source + more = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ly/4472642.stm

**Fusen** · 26th November 2005

http://digital-forums.com/showthread.php?t=246071

ABCMan · 26th November 2005

3 versions all different i'll merge all 3 into yours fusen

**Roach-Rampino** · 26th November 2005

What a tragic loss at such a young age. An extremely talented driver and one of the greatest English drivers of all time in my opinion. He will be remembered for his outstanding contribution to the sport and his amazing achievements.