Richard Burns R.I.P
Posted by: Sicey on 25 November 2005
What with Best and Mr Miagi I have just read about Richard passing away late yesterday eve 
A sad loss to all that knew him and to British motorsport. Rest in Peace
http://www.britishrally.com/forum2/forum_posts.asp?TID=21733&PN=1&FID=31&PR=3
A sad loss to all that knew him and to British motorsport. Rest in Peace
http://www.britishrally.com/forum2/forum_posts.asp?TID=21733&PN=1&FID=31&PR=3
Posted on: 26 November 2005 by Martin D
Very sad news - i was shocked to here this RIP
from the beeb:
Former world champion Burns dies
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.
"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."
RICHARD BURNS FACTFILE
Born: 17/1/1971, Reading
Rallying debut: 1988
World Championship 1998: First win at Safari Rally, also wins Rally of Great Britain
World Championship 2001: Wins world title for Subaru, 1st Englishman to do so
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.
from the beeb:
Former world champion Burns dies
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.
"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."
RICHARD BURNS FACTFILE
Born: 17/1/1971, Reading
Rallying debut: 1988
World Championship 1998: First win at Safari Rally, also wins Rally of Great Britain
World Championship 2001: Wins world title for Subaru, 1st Englishman to do so
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.
Posted on: 26 November 2005 by BigH47
What terrible news.I thought the omens were good for his recovery. A sad loss.He always seemed " good bloke".He would chat with the fans at Goodwood for instance and always seemed "up".He was pretty good with a rally car too.
He will be missed. (I bet he dosn't get as much airtime as Best).
Howard
He will be missed. (I bet he dosn't get as much airtime as Best).
Howard
Posted on: 26 November 2005 by NaimThatTune
Terrible news!
My condolences to his family and friends. Rallying has lost a fine sportsman.
I was at Castle Combe this August (getting absolutely soaked) and watched the aforementioned parade. I hoped Richard would make a full recovery, but sadly that was not to be.
RIP.
Rich.
My condolences to his family and friends. Rallying has lost a fine sportsman.
I was at Castle Combe this August (getting absolutely soaked) and watched the aforementioned parade. I hoped Richard would make a full recovery, but sadly that was not to be.
RIP.
Rich.
Posted on: 26 November 2005 by long-time-dead
A sad loss of a phenomenal talent.
May his soul rest in peace.
May his soul rest in peace.
Posted on: 27 November 2005 by JamieWednesday
Bizarre isn't it?
A British World Champion with undeniable talent in his field gets a footnote in some media relating to his passing after a long and difficult battle with a terrible disease inflicted on him by chance.
Another Briton, with undeniable talent in his field, who off it was a drunken, alcoholic letch with tendancies to violence, including those in no position to fight back, eventually dies after years spent trying to kill himself and it's reported as if our greatest living saint had passed on...
A British World Champion with undeniable talent in his field gets a footnote in some media relating to his passing after a long and difficult battle with a terrible disease inflicted on him by chance.
Another Briton, with undeniable talent in his field, who off it was a drunken, alcoholic letch with tendancies to violence, including those in no position to fight back, eventually dies after years spent trying to kill himself and it's reported as if our greatest living saint had passed on...
Posted on: 27 November 2005 by Andy Kirby
I'll second that Jamie, I thought RB was on the road to recovery. Very sad to read of him losing the battle here.
RIP Richard.
A.
RIP Richard.
A.
Posted on: 27 November 2005 by Martin D
thirded - i have the radio on about 16 hours a day on all sorts of beeb progs and didnt here a thing - bloody shocking
Posted on: 28 November 2005 by BLT
Fourthed.
I didn't even here about it until Sunday.
I didn't even here about it until Sunday.
Posted on: 29 November 2005 by arf005
Fithed - first I've heard about it!!!
Just catching up on the bbc website......never even made the national news - unlike you know who!!
Very sad indeed......
Just catching up on the bbc website......never even made the national news - unlike you know who!!
Very sad indeed......
Posted on: 29 November 2005 by Guido Fawkes
Sixthed
Very sad news about a great sportsman.
Very sad news about a great sportsman.
Posted on: 30 November 2005 by Sicey
I must admit I posted this on one of the car forums about the lack of respect by the news industry, all overshadowed by Best(Not denying his talent of course), but lousy footnotes and not even a mention in the sports headlines unless you really looked, I think it is really sad, hey even some famous WWF wrestler got more coverage in the UK news!
I hope one of the motoring channels does a remeberance programme in his honour like he deserves.
John
I hope one of the motoring channels does a remeberance programme in his honour like he deserves.
John
quote:Originally posted by JamieWednesday:
Bizarre isn't it?
A British World Champion with undeniable talent in his field gets a footnote in some media relating to his passing after a long and difficult battle with a terrible disease inflicted on him by chance.
Another Briton, with undeniable talent in his field, who off it was a drunken, alcoholic letch with tendancies to violence, including those in no position to fight back, eventually dies after years spent trying to kill himself and it's reported as if our greatest living saint had passed on...