For a younger generation this comparison may not mean much but it refers to analytical approach both of these drivers had. Many drivers are hot-heads and impulsive but not Richard. He was described to be very methodical, a true thinking man’s rally driver, not a bit as brash as, say, Colin McRae.
The Beginning
Aged 11 he begun on the path that would lead to championship title two decades later. In 1990 he was supplied a Peugeot 205GTI by David Williams whose protege he had become.
Entering the national 205GTI challenge, Richard won series with ease in 1990 and again in 1991, finishing sixth in the British Open Championship as well. For 1992 David provided him a Group N Subaru Legacy with which Richard won Mintex National Championship, even winning one event ahead of Group B MG Metro 6R4!
For 1993 he joined the ranks of Prodrive, again driving Group N Legacy but this time in British Championship which he duly won by 29 points ahead of Malcolm Wilson.
WRC
That opened up the WRC events for him as he started 1994 Safari Rally as his first WRC event abroad and in which he would four years later score his first WRC win. Despite the Prodrive promise, he started only three WRC rallies with them in 1994 and 1995 each, final of those being Subaru’s second 1-2-3 and Burns’ first podium. When Mitsubishi offered him larger programme he did not decline.
1997 season was big break for Burns as Mitsubishi entered second car in all events, Richard getting largest share of those outings.
In Safari he finished second in first ever British 1-2 result, led rally first time in Australia and could have won RAC Rally if flat tyre had not ruined the result. Especially stunning was his speed on first stage of second leg in RAC, SS12 Radnor.
In the fog he was by far fastest, even catched and passed Didier Auriol who had started ahead of him. Puncture robbed him the win but in following year Richard won not only Rally GB but also scored his maiden win in Safari.
Subaru
That really launched Burns’ career and when Ford lured McRae away from Subaru, door was open for him to return as team leader. Until Subaru also signed Juha Kankkunen and refused to acknowledge which was to be the leader.
1999 season was to be a mighty battle for supremacy between young talent and old fox and perhaps the most telling moment of that struggle came in Argentina where Juha snatched last-minute win ahead of Richard. In the following year Subaru introduced radically new Impreza WRC2000 and while Juha struggled with it, Richard grasped the opportunity with both hands.
Unfortunately for him, Peugeot’s Marcus Gronholm had no only more reliable car but also a slice of luck on his side.
World Champion
Next year roles changed. Marcus suffered from numerous problems but still he, Colin and Tommi Makinen all scored three wins each while Burns won only once. With other wins going for drivers that did not compete full championship and Richard’s hallmark consistency, title was decided only in the final rally of the season.
After just four stages both Tommi and Colin were out and title was to be decided between Burns and Sainz, Burns having advantage of seven points and familiar terrain. And so it was that his fortune held and title awaited at the end of the rally.
As soon as title celebrations were over, controversy began. Burns had already signed to drive Peugeot for 2002 despite the loud protests from Subaru that they had valid contract with him. World followed this exchange of words but in the end an agreement was reached, details of which have remained secret.
Peugeot
Judging that Peugeot offered him the best chance for the title, Richard had high expectations but was to be disappointed. In 2002 Gronholm was in a class of his own and 2003, despite starting well for Richard, was to be the end.
On the eve of 2003 Rally GB, Richard was driving his Porsche on motorway with Markko Martin when he suddenly collapsed. Martin was able to stop the car but soon it was obvious that Richard would not be able to take part in the rally.
Just weeks later he was diagnosed with brain cancer. For two years he was treated, at times feeling well enough to visit Rallyday at Castle Combe in August 2005. He died aged just 34 four years to the day after winning the 2001 World Rally Championship.
Legacy
Top Gear aired a tribute to Burns. The host, Jeremy Clarkson, said that “the news has been completely dominated, as far as we’re concerned, by the sad death of Richard Burns.” No other motoring news was announced in that episode.
Burns had previously appeared on Top Gear twice, once touting rallying as more interesting and influential than Formula One, and then test-driving the Peugeot RC.
Subaru paid tribute to Burns at Castle Combe in 2006, when over fifty Subaru Impreza RB5s took to the track, including the RB5 number No. 001 driven by Alex Burns, Richard’s father. They also released a special edition Impreza WRX STI in 2007 – the RB320 – in memory of Burns.
Years later his legacy remains today practically in gaming. Released in July 2004 Richard Burns Rally is a sim racing game, published by SCi and developed by Warthog with advice from Burns himself.
The game features 8 cars and 36 courses. It simulates both classic and modern rallying, and is best known for its high difficulty and realistic physics engine. In 2020, the FIA was using modded versions of Richard Burns Rally to teach rallying safety delegates from around the world.
