AUTOSPORT Gold: Richard Burns clinches the World Rally title

By:

Anthony Peacock

Nov 9, 2011, 11:38 AM

Ten years ago this month the late Richard Burns became England's first - and so far only - World Rally champion. To mark the anniversary, AUTOSPORT has dug out the full report of the title-deciding Rally GB

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Marcus Gronholm may have lost his world champion's mantle to Richard Burns, but he did so in style, romping to a runaway victory in the muddy Welsh forests for Peugeot.

There is a fine line between the edge and going over it. All four World Rally Championship contenders knew they had to push hard; three of them found the limit the hard way. Richard Burns said the champion would be the man still on the road after three days of flat-out competition. Somehow he managed it, under the biggest pressure he has known in his life. The relief was like letting a champagne cork out of the bottle. Burns took third place in Britain to clinch the series with the lowest ever number of points. After the Safari Rally in July, he thought his title chances were ruined. Just four months later, he has a very special trophy to add to his collection.