機種変更したばかりのprosolid IIにiチャネルで表示されたニュースには『バーンズ死去』の文字が。
ドライバーズタイトルを決めた2001年の最終戦、RAC Rally（Wales Rally Great Britain）は本当に素晴らしかった。そして2003年の同ラリーへの移動のため一般道を運転中にいきなり意識不明になった（確か同乗していたマルコ・マルティンが車を停めたという話だったが）というニュースには驚いた。SUBARUの黄金期を代表するドライバーの一人だっただけに、今回の訃報は特別に残念に思う。
ご冥福をお祈りします。
元WRCチャンピオン、リチャード・バーンズ逝去
2001年にスバルでワールドチャンピオンとなったラリードライバー、リチャード・バーンズが、2005年11月25日、脳腫瘍によりロンドンの病院で死亡した。享年34歳。
1971年生まれのイギリス人、バーンズは、1990年に地元RACラリーでWRCデビュー。その後スバル、三菱で経験を積み、1998年からWRCフル参戦をスタートさせた。この年トミ・マキネンのチームメイトとして三菱に在籍、サファリ・ラリーで初優勝を遂げた。
翌1999年にスバルへと戻り、インプレッサで奮戦。ギリシャなどで3勝を記録したもののマキネンにタイトルを奪われ、2000年には4勝するものの今度はマーカス・グロンホルムの手に栄冠がわたった。
念願のタイトル奪取は2001年。シーズン序盤のスロースタートをひっくり返し、地元イギリスで勝ち取ったWRCクラウンだった。
2002年、スバルからプジョーへ移籍。リタイアがつづくなどしランキング5位に終わる。
翌2003年もプジョーのステアリングを握り、6回のポディウムで最後までタイトル争いに食い込んだ。
決定戦となった母国での最終戦への道中、突如病に倒れ同ラリーを欠場。悪性脳腫瘍の一種である星状細胞腫であることが判明し、2004年からのスバル復帰を前にラリーを断念、治療に専念せざるを得なかった。
手術と治療を繰り返し、一時は回復の兆しが見られたというが、数日間の昏睡の末、家族に見守られながら息を引きとった。
なお、彼の公式サイト（http://www.richardburns.com/）では、ファンからのメッセージを受け付けている。
リチャード・バーンズ闘病の末の逝去にSUBARUワールドラリーチーム追悼の意
SUBARUワールドラリーチームは、優れたラリードライバーの一人で、長期に渡る脳腫瘍と闘病していた、リチャード・バーンズ逝去の報に、深い悲しみに包まれた。
バーンズとSUBARUとの付き合いは長く、2度にわたってコンビを組んでいる。2001年、バーンズはSUBARUインプレッサを駆って、イングランド人としては初めてWRCドライバーズチャンピオンを獲得。バーンズが獲得したWRC10勝のうち、8勝はSUBARUからの参戦によるものである。
バーンズが初めてSUBARUに加入したのは、1992年。英国ラリー選手権に参戦したバーンズは、翌年、同シリーズの史上最年少チャンピオンに輝いた。その後数年を置いて1999年、バーンズは再びSUBARUに加入。2度のシリーズ2位を経て、2001年に初タイトル獲得を達成した。
SUBARUワールドラリーチーム・テクニカルディレクター、デビッド・ラップワースは
「リチャードのパートナーであるゾエとご家族、ご友人に、心から哀悼の意を表します。リチャードは、今日あるSUBARUワールドラリーチームの姿に至るまでの成長には欠かせないキーパーソンの一人であり、我々が収めた成功には彼の尽力が大きく貢献している。1993年の英国ラリー選手権制覇と2001年の世界タイトル獲得でSUBARUはラリーの頂点に到達し、彼の離脱は非常に大きな痛手となった。リチャードの逝去には、SUBARUワールドラリーチームのメンバー、WRC関係者、そして世界中のラリーファンひとりひとりが、悲しみにくれるだろう」
（SUBARU モータースポーツ・ニュース http://www.subaru-msm.com/news/051126.html）
Richard Burns: 1971-2005
Former world champion Richard Burns, the only Englishman to have lifted rallying's top crown, has died as a result of the brain tumour that forced him out of the sport at the end of 2003. The 2001 title winner won 10 rallies in a 13-year World Rally Championship career that included stints with Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Subaru.
"From the outset Richard knew the odds were heavily against him, yet he fought his illness with bravery and good humour," said a statement from Burns' family. "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 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. 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."
Burns' family are planning a private funeral, although details of a memorial service will be released at a later date. Cards or messages can be sent to either Ecurie Albion, Wheelwright's Cottage, Shilton, Burford, OX18 4AA or www.richard-burns.co.uk/memorials.
Burns was one of the first of the modern breed of rally drivers - more thoughtful and analytical in his approach than 'flat-out sideways', but always able to put in the stage times and pip his rivals when it mattered. He was also part of the new wave of British talent with long-time friend and rival Colin McRae. Both drivers gained their reputation during stints with Subaru, and Burns became particularly synonymous with the Japanese team and its deep blue colour scheme.
Burns' reputation as one of rallying's rising stars first came to light in 1990 when he won the British Peugeot 205 GTi one-make series. He made his WRC debut at the end of the year in his home event, the RAC Rally, finishing 28th. Burns then joined Subaru's young gun squad in 1993, winning the British title in a Legacy RS and finishing seventh overall in that year's RAC Rally.
After several WRC outings with Subaru, Burns moved to Mitsubishi in 1996, finishing second in the 1997 Safari Rally. He went on to score his first WRC win in the same event in 1998 as part of a full season partnering world champion Tommi Makinen. Burns then returned to Subaru, where he really began to come of age as he narrowly lost out to Makinen for the 1999 title and Peugeot's Marcus Gronholm for the 2000 championship. In 2001 he finally achieved his goal of winning the WRC's drivers' crown in a closely-fought battle with Gronholm that culminated with Burns taking his third win in a row on his home event, the Rally of Great Britain.
A contentious off-season move to Peugeot to partner Gronholm set up the intriguing possibility of a head-to-head between the WRC's established stars. Although Burns failed to get to grips with the 206 WRC in his first season with the French team, he was one of the most consistent finishers in 2003 and was in the thick of a four-way battle going into the season-finale - his last event with Peugeot before a planned return to Subaru for 2004. Sadly, Burns was forced out of the event with an illness that was later diagnosed with an astrocytoma - a virulent brain tumour - that meant an enforced departure from the sport as he underwent treatment.
Everyone at wrc.com extends their deepest condolences to Richard's friends and family.
McRae leads Burns tributes
Former world champion Colin McRae has led the wave of tributes to 2001 title winner Richard Burns, who died at the weekend as a result of the brain tumour that forced him out of the sport at the end of 2003. The pair were fierce rivals on the stages, but good friends of it, and McRae said that Burns would be sorely missed.
1995 champion McRae has remained closely in touch with Burns during his two-year battle with his illness, and paid tribute to the 34-year-old, who became the first Englishman to life the World Rally Championship drivers' title. "Richard was a friend and at the same time a very fierce rival," McRae said. "We had many great battles together, notably the 2001 Wales Rally GB when he took the title.
"I have seen Richard on a number of occasions during the past two years and the greatest battle he has put up was against his illness. Richard was a true character in the world of rallying and will be sadly missed as a competitor and as a friend to many people. My thoughts at the moment are with Richard, Zoe, his family and all the close friends that have supported him during the last two years."
Subaru team boss David Lapworth had a close working relationship with Burns during his two stints with the Japanese outfit, and said the 10-times rally winner was a valued part of the team. "Richard was one of the key people who brought the Subaru World Rally Team to what it is today and a large part of our success comes from his input," Lapworth said.
"His wins in the British championship in 1993 and the world championship in 2001 brought Subaru to the pinnacle of rallying and his loss leaves a huge gap. Richard will be sorely missed by all at the Subaru World Rally Team, the WRC community and rallying fans across the world."
