Richard Burns is out of 2004 WRC cause of brain tumour!

Falcone · Nov 19, 2003

Burns to miss 2004 season
Great Britain · 17/11/2003 14:54:29

Richard Burns will not take part in the 2004 World Rally Championship, after tests have revealed that the Englishman is suffering from an Astrocytoma, a form of brain tumour. Doctors have advised Richard that he would be wise to sit out the season in order to fully recover from the illness that befell him in the run up to Wales Rally GB. Burns fainted at the wheel of his road car and was advised by doctors to miss the event while it was established what was wrong. Richard will undergo a course of radiotherapy treatment which the doctors are confident will prove successful.

"I would really like to thank everyone for their continued support - it means a lot to me," Burns said. "My fans, the Peugeot WRC team and also everyone at Prodrive and Subaru have all been tremendous. The doctors have advised that I am unable to get back in a rally car for the 2004 FIA WRC Championship and I have to accept that. I'm obviously extremely disappointed but I am feeling very positive and I am determined to focus all of my efforts on getting back to full fitness as soon as I can."

David Lapworth, Subaru Team Principal, said, "We are very concerned at this news about Richard. There will always be future rallies and future championships, but for now Richard needs to put his own health first."

"Richard will always be welcome at Subaru and we hope that he may again, when fully recovered, work with us once more. The team has offered to do what it can to help Richard back to health and return as one of the leading drivers in the WRC".

It is not yet clear who might replace Burns in the Subaru line-up as team mate to World Champion Petter Solberg is hotting up. Lapworth has made it clear, however, that appropriate decisions will be made soon.

"We were excited about the prospect of the Burns and Solberg line-up at Subaru next season," he said, "and until recently were optimistic that he would recover in time for the first rally. We have not yet had much time to consider all the alternative driver options for next year, but we hope to make an announcement in the coming weeks."

One of the favourites for the drive is 1995 World Champion and former Subaru driver Colin McRae. The Scot has temporarily called time on his WRC career after losing his Citroen drive due to regulation changes for 2004. One possibility that has already been ruled out is Tommi Makinen postponing his retirement to remain with Subaru. His management team have confirmed that the four-time world champion will retire as planned, despite the news of Burns' illness.

wrc.com wishes Richard a speedy recovery and a return to the winning ways that landed him and co-driver Robert Reid the 2001 World Title.

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This is big news!!! Richard Burns was 2001 Champion and was due to join Subaru at 2004 now the seat is empty. Hope he recovers soon. That means a high posiblity for McRae to be driving in 2004.

Chai · Nov 19, 2003

Wow, shocking news. Colin may come back...

Falcone · Dec 5, 2003

McRae most probably will come back

McRae in talks with Subaru for 2004
Subaru · Colin McRae · 04/12/2003 15:12:48

The identity of Petter Solberg’s 2004 Subaru team mate should become apparent soon, following the news that Colin McRae – most people’s favourite for the drive – visited the team’s headquarters earlier this week for discussions.

Although both parties have yet to confirm that a deal for the 1995 World Champion to replace Richard Burns is in place, speculation is rife that a preliminary agreement has been tabled.

Subaru team boss David Lapworth has refused to discuss details of drivers or budgets.

“The meetings in Japan last week were very positive and we’re looking to be in a position to make a full assault on the championship next year,” is all he would divulge.

The team is believed to be increasing its budget for 2004 in the knowledge that a change in the points-scoring rules will improve its chances of regaining the manufacturers’ world championship.

McRae is being equally tight-lipped. "Obviously there's an interest, but we haven't discussed anything in detail," he said.

If the deal does come about it would mark a return to the Japanese marque for 35-year old McRae. He drove for the team between 1991 and 1998, winning the 1995 world title.

He had looked to be out of a drive in the WRC after losing his seat with Citroen due to regulation changes. With Richard Burns' illness forcing the Englishman to miss the 2004 season, McRae seemed to be a logical choice for Subaru.

World Champion Petter Solberg has already said that he would enjoy working with McRae again. They were briefly team mates at Ford in 1999 and 2000.

"It's not something I would object to," he said. "I actually think it would be positive.”

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Richard Burns is out of 2004 WRC cause of brain tumour!

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Richard Burns is out of 2004 WRC cause of brain tumour!

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