News

Top British rally driver Guy Wilks has been appointed patron of the Richard Burns Foundation, a charity established in honour of the Englishman who won the 2001 World Rally Championship and died of a brain tumour four years later, aged 34.

The Richard Burns Foundation aims to help people, particularly young people, who are in a situation similar to Richard's by providing them with inspiration through his example and the means to face the future with confidence.

Guy's appointment takes the Richard Burns Foundation into a completely new area of the sport: the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, where the 29-year-old will drive the Peugeot UK 207 S2000 next year. Guy is a double British rally champion and winner of last year's Rally of Scotland, his home round of the IRC. He is also delighted have been asked to be a patron of the Richard Burns Foundation.

"It's a tremendous honour to be asked," said Wilks. "When I growing up and watching the sport, Richard was a real hero for me. When I did my first event overseas - the Swedish Rally in 2002 - Richard and Robert Reid, his co-driver, spoke to me and gave me some advice. During the recce for the event, we went out for dinner. They told me what to look out for and gave me some incredible advice.

"That relationship continued through the years. I would occasionally call Richard to ask him for some help and he'd always answer the call and talk to me. I was wary of making a nuisance of myself, but he always had time for me; Richard was somebody who really helped to shape my career and I have a great deal to be thankful for. Richard was the ultimate professional in the sport, the kind of driver and person you strive to be. He's somebody I'll never forget and always be grateful to."