The Richard Burns Memorial Rally will take place for the third time next weekend (August 14/15) with Richard Burns Foundation officials hoping to raise more vital funds to help those suffering from brain cancer and other neurological disorders.
First run in 2008 in memory of England's only world rally champion, the event takes place entirely within the confines of Royal Air Force Marham near King's Lynn in Norfolk, UK. Burns visited the base in 2000 where he was treated to a flight in a Tornado jet and met Sergeant Chris Daykin, one of several people instrumental in establishing the Richard Burns Memorial Rally.
The base features large expanses of impeccably maintained asphalt and provides one of Britain's best single venue rally sites with several stage layouts located within view of the service area.
Unlike most club rally facilities in the UK, Marham permits spectator access, which means rally fans can savour the non-stop action but also make a contribution to the Richard Burns Foundation and RAF Benevolent Fund. Both organisations have benefited considerably from money raised during the last two seasons and will again be the chief beneficiaries when the rally takes place next weekend.
The bulging 100-plus entry features an eclectic mix of machines and drivers of varying ability and experience. As well as their unquenchable enthusiasm for the sport, many were followers of Burns, who lost his battle with brain cancer in 2005, aged 34.
Marcus Gronholm, who used to partner Burns in Peugeot's world rally team, became a patron of the RBF in February this year. He said: "It's fantastic so many people will be doing the rally but also supporting the Richard Burns Foundation and the sport as a whole. Like everybody else, including Richard of course, I started off competing on national rallies, although at home in Finland rather than in Norfolk!
"These events are vital for teaching future generations of drivers the skills they will need to compete at international level and they also provide so many people with a lot of enjoyment, while raising funds for some very important initiatives."
Robert Reid, Burns' long-term co-driver, is a keen supporter of the Richard Burns Foundation and Richard Burns Memorial Rally. He took part in the inaugural event in September 2008 where he guided Markko Martin to a fitting victory in a Subaru Impreza. Richard's father Alex was also in action that year, co-driving Gordon Jarvis in a Talbot Sunbeam Ti. He will return to compete on the event his season.
Visitors to the Richard Burns Memorial Rally will be able to donate money to the RBF through bucket collections and a silent auction. Two cars driven by Burns during his early career, a Peugeot 205 and a Peugeot 309, will be on display throughout the two-day event. Items of RBF clothing will also be on sale.
TV presenter Penny Mallory will be visiting the event on Saturday.
News Stories
Classifieds
Shop
TV Guide
Links
Upcoming 
Most