Former World Rally Champion Richard Burns has died from a brain tumour at the age of 34 on the 4th anniversary of his win. After finishing runner-up twice and finally winning in 2001, the first, and so far only, Englishman to do so, he blacked out in the middle of the Rally GB in Wales in 2003 and was later diagnosed with the tumour. He hadn’t competed since.
Burns was one of the nicest sportsmen I’ve ever met, always had time for the press and the fans. His death saddens me more than that of George Best, as at the time of his diagnosis he was still one of the best in the world and would otherwise probably still be competing today. I’d have loved to see him go up agaist Sebastian Loeb with both in competitive cars.
