GRAN BRETAÑA NOVEDADES THE RICHARD BURNS COLLECTION

England’s one and only World Rally Champion, Richard Burns, was born to drive.  Long before he was old enough to drive on the public roads, he was learning to handle rally cars on private land and at his local motor club.  By the age of 17, Richard started competing in club rallies and two years later, he claimed his first series title in the Peugeot Challenge.  His win propelled him into national competition and by 1993, only five years after his first rally, the young progeny from Reading was on his way to a British Championship title with the support of Subaru and Prodrive, one of the leading partnerships in the sport.

New Release - Richard Burns Collection: Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 Kayel Graphics Rally, Wales 6th July 1991. Richard Burns/Robert Reid  (VA12703)

Richard's first rally car, a home built Sunbeam, was an invaluable learning tool but to progress he needed more specialised machinery, so it was sold minus Gordon Jarvis' loaned engine.  Through 1989 he used borrowed rally cars, mainly Mk2 Escorts.  The results were promising enough for another Craven Motor Club member, David Williams, to get more involved, initially as a tyre sponsor.  David eventually phoned Richard one day and said  "What do you want me to do to help?"  Immediately Richard said, "buy me a Peugeot" as he felt the Peugeot 205 Challenge, then about to start its second year, was the way to make his reputation.

Williams suggested a financial collective consisting of Burns' parents, Gordon Jarvis, Mick Shonfield and himself.  They were to buy the car, partly on finance, run it from the prize money they were convinced would come, and sell it afterwards.  If Richard crashed the car badly, the whole thing would fall apart.  No pressure!  However, it worked; he drove consistently fast but cleanly enough to keep the car safe and won the Peugeot Challenge in 1990 and 1991.  During this period he teamed up with Robert Reid and they would remain a partnership for the rest of their careers.

Having been sold at the end of 1991, the 205 was traced in 2004, re-purchased, restored to its 1991 specification and given to Richard at the 2005 Castle Combe Rally Day shortly before he passed away.  Now owned by a private collector, it is modelled in its 1991 livery.