Richard Burns diagnosed with brain tumor

aidan_dunne

After having collapsed at the wheel of his car on the way to the recce for the Rally GB a couple of weeks ago, and then having had to pull out of the event altogether, Richard Burns underwent extensive medical tests and has been diagnosed as having a brain tumor.

The 2001 World Rally Champion has had to withdraw from the 2004 championship to undergo radiotherapy for the tumor, though doctors say they expect him to make a full recovery.

Burns, who won the World Rally Drivers' Championship two years ago at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRC, was due to return to the Subaru team for 2004 after spending the past two seasons with the works Peugeot team. After a lacklustre time with the French team, where he failed to score a single victory, Burns decided to return to the squad who gave him his maiden World Championship.

A question mark has now arisen over who will take over his seat for 2004 at Subaru while he ungoes treatment. Already the rumour mill has started in earnest with the name of Colin McRae, out of a drive for next year himself, quickly being suggested. However, the Scot has said he is taking a year out of the WRC to pursue other interests, these believed to be a drive in the famous Dakar rally with the works Nissan team and perhaps a go at GT or sportscar racing.

I have to say, I was never a fan of Burns but this is bad news for him all the same. Here's hoping that he does indeed make a full recovery and we get to see him back behind the wheel of a rally car before long. Like I said, while I was never a fan of his it would have been interesting to see how he would have got on with Petter Solberg in the same team. I reckon there would have been a lot of tension and rivalry between the two of them which would have made things very lively and interesting to watch. Looks like we're now going to have to wait until at least 2004 to see that all happen.

But who will get Burns' seat for next year? I think we can rule Colin out, for a start. He's determined to get away from the WRC for a year, at least, as it seems he's gotten pretty disillusioned with it at this stage and wants a break away from it. I reckon someone like Freddy Loix might get it. Or maybe even Alister McRae, who's been dropped from Mitsubishi and has no drive for next year. What does everybody else think?

zeris

I still wouldn't rule Colin McRae out yet. It was only a few rallies ago, some of his backers where trying to raise £5m to allow him to enter next year as an independent. And he did win a WDC with Subaru. Not to sure on what terms he left for Ford on though.

Makinen seems content to retire so I don't think Subaru will be able to lure him to stay another year.

Freedie Loix maybe, but it depends on his contact with Marlboro and Peugeot for next year.

Of course, Ford is still making noises about not competing next year due to costs. If they do decide to leave, surely Martin would be a sure thing.

aidan_dunne

You're right, I forgot about the fact that Ford are still humming and hawing as to whether they're going to compete next year. Now there's a tantalising prospect, two of the young up-and-coming drivers of the WRC in the same team together, Solberg and Martin. If that was to happen there would surely be some fireworks between them and I think that would be just the injection of excitement the WRC could do with.