Richard Burns

[318(E21)]

O mare pierdere pt WRC......

 

 

 

Ex-world rally champion Burns dies

 

Saturday, November 26, 2005; Posted: 8:01 a.m. EST (13:01 GMT)

 

 

Burns celebrates his world title success in Cardiff in 2001.LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Former world rally champion Richard Burns has died after a long illness, a statement issued on behalf of his family said on Saturday.

 

The Briton, who was 34, died on Friday evening of a brain tumor with his partner, family and close friends at his bedside. He had been in a coma for some days.

 

Burns became the only English driver to win the world championship, drivnig for Subaru in 2001.

 

He was diagnosed with the tumor while with Peugeot in 2003 after blacking out at the wheel on his way to the British Rally in Wales.

 

He had been due to return to Subaru in 2004 but the illness forced him to withdraw from that season.

 

The Briton, overall runner-up in 1999 and 2000 and winner of 10 rounds of the world rally championship, had a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy last year and in April this year underwent brain surgery.

 

"From the outset, Richard knew that the odds were heavily against him and yet he fought his illness with bravery and good humor," said the statement.

 

"Having undergone both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he was able to leave hospital in summer 2004. For a while his health showed signs of improvement but then after six months it once again began to decline.

 

"Determined not to give up, he opted for surgery earlier this year. This alleviated some of the symptoms of his illness and enabled him to remain active," the statement added.

 

"At Castle Combe in August he attended a parade of the rally cars that he drove throughout his career and was touched by the warmth of the reception he received.

 

"However there was to be no miracle and in recent days he lapsed into a coma."

 

He died on the fourth anniversary of his championship win.

[Kane]

Poftim?!!?!?!?

 

N-aveam nici cea mai vaga idee ca sufera de vreo boala. RIP :blink:

[Luk]

A fost un pilot foarte bun. Pacat!

Nici eu nu stiam ca e bolnav.

 

R.I.P.

[Romulus]

Dumnezeu sa-l odihneasca in pace...