Richard Burns (13 November 1971 – 25 November 2005) was a British rally driver who won the 2001 World Rally Championship (WRC) driving for the Peugeot Total team. He is the first and, as of 2026, the only driver from the United Kingdom to have secured the WRC title.
Early life and background
- Born in Reading, Berkshire, England.
- Developed an interest in motorsport through karting and local club rallies during his teenage years.
Rally career
- 1995: Made his World Rally Championship debut with the privateer F2 team.
- 1996–1999: Competed for Mitsubishi, achieving his first WRC podium at the 1999 Rally Argentina.
- 2000: Joined the Peugeot Total team; secured his first WRC victory at the 2000 Rally New Zealand.
- 2001: Won the World Rally Championship, attaining six victories that season (Sweden, Germany, Finland, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom).
Driving style and reputation
Burns was noted for his smooth, consistent driving technique and meticulous preparation. He earned respect within the rally community for his professionalism and teamwork.
Illness and death
- In 2003, Burns was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
- He continued to compete intermittently while undergoing treatment, but his health deteriorated.
- Burns passed away on 25 November 2005 in Reading at the age of 34.
Legacy
- The Richard Burns Foundation was established to raise awareness of skin cancer and support research.
- In 2008, the Scottish Rally of the 2001 season was renamed the "Richard Burns Memorial Rally."
- Burns was posthumously inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of Great Britain.
Personal life
- Married to Lesley Burns (née Baird) at the time of his death; the couple had two children.
See also
- World Rally Championship
- Peugeot 206 WRC
References
- Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) archival records, 1995–2001.
- "Richard Burns: The Man Who Won the World Rally Championship", BBC Sport, 2001.
- "Richard Burns Foundation – About Us", official website, accessed 2026.
