Formerly known as the Pirelli International Rally, the second round of this years MSA British Rally Championship has been renamed the Pirelli Richard Burns Foundation Rally in support of the former world rally champion.

The Richard Burns Foundation is a charity that was set up to remember the life of Richard Burns who tragically lost his life in 2005 following an astrocytoma: a virulent form of brain tumour. After his death, which occurred when Burns was aged just 34, the Richard Burns Foundation was set up by some of his closest friends and colleagues as a lasting tribute to his memory. To this end, it aims to help people who are affected by serious illness or injury.

Pirelli has exclusively supplied the British Rally Championship with tyres since 2007. Previously known as the Pirelli International Rally, the newly-named Pirelli Richard Burns Foundation Rally started out as a local club event before becoming a round of the British Rally Championship. Over the years, the rally has attracted a host of world-class drivers, with former winners including world champions Ari Vatanen and Colin McRae.

Pirellis Motorsport Director, Paul Hembery, commented: The Richard Burns Foundation is currently focusing on raising funds to provide a Brain Bus which will open up to a wider audience the issues and treatment needs for brain and spinal disorder. We are delighted to lend our support to this fantastic cause and hope that our support of the Richard Burns Foundation will enable Richards name to continue to be visible in the world of rallying. We feel it is a fitting tribute to Englands only world rally champion.

This years Pirelli Richard Burns Foundation Rally will take place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May with the service park once again based at Carlisle racecourse. The rally will also be represented in Carlisles city centre, not far from Pirellis Carlisle factory that employs in excess of 700 people