Richard Burns will miss this weekend's Wales Rally GB. Burns was taken ill at 17h30 on Sunday, while on his way from London to Cardiff. He is in Newport Hospital, where he spent last night. He will undergo tests throughout the day. But he will not compete on the event.
His co-driver Robert Reid said: "The doctors have basically told
Richard not to do the rally. He's having more tests done today, but he's
in good form considering the circumstances. Obviously he's hugely disappointed
about the whole thing. I thought this year would have a sting in the tail,
but I wasn't quite prepared for this."
A team statement said:
"Richard Burns has been hospitalised yesterday evening, after fainting.
Doctors will give an update today on their diagnosis and the seriousness
of his state of health. From now on they have already declared that Richard
Burns will not be authorized to recce and to enter the Wales Rally of
Great Britain which will take place next weekend.
The entire Peugeot Sport Team express its solidarity and wishes Richard
a prompt recovery. Due to this case of force majeure, Peugeot Sport has
asked FIA, on the basis of article 5.1.4 of the General Prescriptions
and Article 2.3 of the Regulations of the World Rally Championship, to
authorize the crew Freddy Loix - Sven Smeets to replace the crew Richard
Burns - Robert Reid."
Loix, signed to drive for the French team next season, is already in Wales
as he plans to take part in today's recce. Burns was one of four drivers
in the frame for the 2003 WRC title going into the rally, five points
behind joint championship leaders Sebastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz of Citroen
and four behind Subaru's Petter Solberg.
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