Motorsport story by Gareth Bowman, Sun, 27 Nov 2005 17:20:00 GMT


LONDON - In the midst of the grief surrounding the demise of footballing legend George Best, British sport lost another champion in the form of Richard Burns. Burns succumbed to a brain tumor on Friday night.

The World Rally Champion was only 34 and had been diagnosed with a malignant tumor two years ago. A statement issued by his family on Friday said, “Richard knew the odds were heavily against him and yet he fought his illness with bravery and humor.”

Burns was the world Rally champion in 2001 and his fledgling career was interrupted when he passed out while traveling to participate in the Wales Rally GB in 2001. He was diagnosed with brain tumor, but doctors had assured him that radiotherapy could take care of it. Last April, he went under the knife and emerged better from it. But the illness returned in the last few months.

Burns was a champion driver par excellence. Most of his racing was with the Subaru team with whom he won the world championship four years ago. He had signed a contract to return to the team last year and had pledged to get fit by then. but his tumor ensured that this situation did not become a reality.

His rival on the track, Colin McRae paid rich tribute to Burns and said, "Richard was a friend and at the same time a very fierce rival. We had many great battles, notably the 2001 Rally GB when he took the title. He was a true character in the world of rallying and will be sadly missed as a competitor and a friend." Dave Richards, the chief of the rallying world said that Burns' death was a loss to sport, "He was well-supported by a very good co-driver in Robert Reid and the two of them were an extraordinarily professional team in the way they went about the sport."

Burns' family said that the memorial service would be held and the date would be announced shortly.

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