Subaru World Champion Richard Burns Passes Away


December 01, 2005

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crown, the first three rounds proved challenging as Richard acclimatised himself with the car. As proof of his satisfaction with the modifications made to the car?s setup, Richard performed well in the Rally Catalunya; he secured a creditable second place, elevating him to third place overall in the Drivers? Championship. In the next round, in Cyprus, Richard repeated his second place podium position on a notoriously challenging circuit.

Going into the Rally of Argentina, Richard was third place in the WRC standings. Controversy then ensued with Richard inheriting his team-mate Marcus Gronholm?s victory after a rule infringement only to have this revoked due to an underweight flywheel. Rounds seven and eight (the Acropolis and Safari rallies respectively) held disappointment as Richard was forced to retire from both due to suspension failure.

Determined to reverse this run of bad luck, the next three rounds produced better results with second places in both Finland and Germany. This was followed by a fourth place in the Sanremo rally and despite being twenty three points behind Gronholm in the overall Drivers? Championship, Richard was confident going into the next round in New Zealand, having won the rally the previous year. A repeat performance looked certain but disaster struck as the car crashed and rolled as Richard led the race. This enabled Marcus Gronholm to secure the Drivers? Championship. With Richard forced to retire in both rounds thirteen and fourteen, he ended his 2003 season on a disappointing note leaving him fifth overall in the Drivers? placings.

Richard began his 2003 battle for the World Championship in strong contention. A third place in the second round in Sweden gave him his best result there which he consolidated with second position in Turkey ? a new arrival to the series having achieved WRC status. A sublime race in New Zealand gave Richard his third successive podium finish and a six-point lead over his nearest contender, his team-mate Marcus Gronholm. He capitalised on this success in the fifth round in Argentina (third place) and subsequently at the Acropolis Rally (fourth place). The latter rally put his driving skills to the ultimate test, having to complete nine stages without a second gear (having already utilised the spare gearbox on a previous stage). Unfortunately, round seven in Cyprus was not so forgiving and Richard was forced to retire for the first time in the season through mechanical failure.

Rallye Deutschland saw Richard win a well-deserved third place on a German circuit that is renowned for its unpredictability and despite his efforts being hampered by poor weather Richard maintained a four point lead in the overall Drivers? Championship. In Finland, he earned third place on the podium and had looked close to leading with a display of fast yet controlled driving. Due to a broken wheel bearing he lost vital time in the final two stages.

In August, it was announced that Richard had signed a two-year contract with Subaru and stated that he was ?delighted to be returning to Subaru? with his co-driver, Robert Reid. The pair had previously enjoyed success with the team whom Richard had collected eight of his ten WRC victories plus the 2001 FIA Drivers' title.

In Australia, Richard further consolidated his lead in the Drivers? Championship by earning third place and taking him to fifty five points ? seven points ahead of both Peter Solberg and Carlos Sainz who were both tied in second place. By the end of this

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