The Motor Sports Association, the governing body of UK motor sport, would like to pay tribute to Richard Burns who lost his brave fight against a brain tumour on Friday 25 November at the age of just 34. Burns was crowned the youngest-ever winner of the MSA British Rally Championship in 1993 and eight years later became the first – and to date only – Englishman to lift the FIA World Rally Championship.

Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive, comments: "Richard will always be remembered not only as one of this country’s finest motor sport champions but also as a huge inspiration to others in his sport.

"In his all too brief career at the top, Richard achieved true greatness winning the World Championship on the Rally GB at the end of 2001 having finished runner-up in the series for the two previous years. But for the cruel intervention of illness, he would surely have added to his ten WRC rally wins and almost certainly have lifted further major championship honours.

"Richard’s rich record of success – including an unprecedented hat-trick of famous home wins on the Rally GB – will always remain a lasting tribute to a truly great champion. At this sad time, everyone at the Motor Sports Association extends their condolences to Richard’s partner Zoe, his family and friends."