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From Richards Web site:

It is with very great sadness that we must announce the death of Richard Burns, the 2001 FIA World Rally Champion. Burns, who was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a form of brain tumour, in November 2003 passed away last night Friday 25th November peacefully.  His partner Zoe, family and close friends were at his bedside.

Links:

Sporting Life Story

Jamie's Memorial

I've decided to leave my memorial here, on my site.

I wont ever forget "Burnsie" and how he's inspired ME personally!

I don't want others to forget either..... so I will do what I can to share my memories.

The photo at the top of this page is an absolute treasure of mine.

Richard was so kind to pre-arrange to take 5 minutes  to meet a fan from Abroad.

The year was 2000, the Rally was Rally GB.  Richard has just WON the event!

At the end of the final stage, he pulled into service & parked the car to the applause of the crowd

He gave his crew a wave, said hi to Mum, Dad and headed straight over to...... me. 

Just me.... No other fans.... Nobody else.....

He knew how much I adored, admired, genuinely respected him and how far I'd come to see him 'perform'

So he took those 5 minutes out of his celebrations, his obligations, HIS time, to say hi to a rabid fan.

And made a memory that will be treasured as long as I live.

I got a quick word, a couple of kissies, and this photo above taken by a friend. 

3 days later, that friend mailed this photo off to Richard for me, Richard promptly signed it, and sent it back.

Top Guy. A genuine and good soul.  I'm going to miss him like mad.....

I wont forget him, he'll continue to inspire me in my rallying and rally dreams.

Thank you Richard. God Bless You, your family and ALL of your fans.

We love you.

Obituary

BURNS ONE OF THE RALLYING GREATS Richard Burns, who died on Friday night, will always have a place in rally history as the first English winner of the world championship. Burns was destined to compete right from the moment he drove a car for the first time, aged eight, despite not being able to see over the steering wheel. That encounter with a Triumph 2000 set the ball rolling and soon enough, aged 15, he had an ambition in life - to be a rally driver. Backed up by his father Alex and fellow driver David Williams, he took to serious competition and, at the age of 19, won his first title. That was the start of a trail-blazing rise to the top and he wrote his first footnote in his sport's history when he became the youngest winner of the British championship in 1993. At that time Britain's interest in rallying was being reawakened by Colin McRae, who would play a major part in Burns' world championship career. Life on the world stage, on a serious basis, began in 1997 at the wheel of a Mitsubishi but it would not be until 1999 with his move to Subaru that Burns truly emerged as a contender. Blessed with two world-class talents, Britain lapped up the rivalry between Burns and 1995 world champion McRae, which was as strong on the stage as their friendship was off it. Both were favourites among British supporters and Burns rewarded his fans with three consecutive Rally GB wins. That winning streak ended in jubilant fashion in 2001, when third place on home ground earned him the world title. A move to Peugeot heralded harder times but Burns' characteristic determination and good humour remained. They never left him, even when in November 2003 he passed out at the wheel of his Porsche, showing the first signs of his brain tumour. He died last night, on the fourth anniversary of his world title win, after a typically brave battle against the disease.