Richard Burns

Richard Alexander Burns

["Rally Driver", "World Rally Champion", "Subaru World Rally Team Driver"]

Born Jan 17, 1971

Reading (Berkshire), Great Britain

Passed Away Nov 25, 2005 London, Great Britain

Lifespan 34 years old

2 views

Notice / Correction

"You don't win a championship by taking wild gambles; you win by making fewer mistakes than anyone else over fourteen grueling rounds."

Archival Overview

British rally driver who won the 2001 World Rally Championship for Subaru following an epic season-long battle, celebrated for his calm analytical precision and ten WRC victories before his tragic death at age thirty-four.

Biographical Record

Richard Burns (1971–2005) rose through British rallying alongside co-driver Robert Reid, winning the British Rally Championship in 1993 before joining Mitsubishi and Subaru. Known for his methodical, clinical driving style, Burns excelled in treacherous conditions from the Safari Rally to Rally of Great Britain.

In 2001, driving the iconic blue-and-gold Subaru Impreza WRC, Burns clinched the World Rally Championship at the Network Q Rally of Great Britain, becoming England's first World Rally Champion. In 2003, while leading the championship for Peugeot, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, inspiring the Richard Burns Foundation.

Key Life Milestones

2000

Hat-Trick of Network Q Rally GB Victories

Won his home World Rally round for the third consecutive time in dominant fashion.

2001

World Rally Championship Glory

Clinched the 2001 WRC Drivers' World Championship for Subaru, England's first titleholder.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

0 messages recorded

Leave a Respectful Tribute

Select a sentiment or reaction (optional):

Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

Your Name / Title *

Your Email (Private, for anti-abuse)

Tribute Message *

No tributes recorded yet. Be the first to leave a message in honor of Richard Burns.

Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

St Mary the Virgin Churchyard
Cholsey (Oxfordshire), United Kingdom

                         GPS: 51.5742, -1.1558                    

View on Memory Atlas

Archival Standards PastLegacies adheres to strict neutral biographical guidelines and legal standards of remembrance. Next-of-kin may request modifications or removal at any time via our expedited process.

Read Governance Policy →