Auction: Lancer Evo V from World Rally Champion Richard Burns

Richard Burns went down in conference history as a formidable hero. After the great reign of Tommi Mäkinen and before the great reign of Sébastien Loeb, the Englishman won his only WRC world championship in 2001. And that despite only winning one World Championship race this year with a driver teammate Robert Reid and behind the wheel of the Subaru Impreza WRC. Shortly before the turn of the millennium, Burns was already showing his potential. In 1998, while still working for the Mitsubishi team, he took his first of ten WRC victories. There would have been more later had Burns not died in 2005 aged just 34 as a result of a brain tumor diagnosed in late 2003.

Although Richard Burns moved to Subaru in 1999, where he experienced the most successful phase of his career, a product from his former employer entered his personal fleet at the beginning of the year. On January 25, he became the first owner of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V, which the auction house Iconic Auctioneers is selling on February 24 as part of the “Race Retro Classic and Racing Car Sale” at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, England. . It is not clear if Burns ever bought the car or if it was given to him by Mitsubishi. According to the auction house, the right-hand drive car could have been a sort of bonus for helping the Briton win the 1998 World Constructors’ Championship.

It shines like the first day

Burns’ Lancer Evo V, painted in Pyrenean Black, has the license plate “S500 TMR” and has obviously never been used by the rally champion. That would be an incredible statement for a Subaru factory driver, but Burns couldn’t tear himself away from the wild bird. The digital odometer shows the value “794” – which corresponds to only 1,278 kilometers. Otherwise, the rally car shines as it did when it was delivered: the paint is as bright as it was on day one, nothing in the interior is remotely worn and the trunk does not look like it has been used once.

After Burns’ death, the Mitsubishi was part of the “Richard Burns Collection”, which was kept together by his family and was intended to preserve the memory of the rally champion. In 2020, the current dealer took a Lancer Evo V and commissioned a specialist to completely redo the lower part as it had suffered for a long time. The investment of 16,500 pounds (currently equivalent to a good 19,200 euros) seems to be worth it: dirt, damage or even rust? According to the picture, there is none!

It is built with curves, forest paths and gravel

So it will take a lot of effort for the new owner to bring the Mitsubishi to its true purpose and not only drive it on hilly roads, but also on hilly forest paths or gravel roads. It would be a shame to release such a joke, after all, representatives of the ongoing Lancer Evo series were built specifically for it. All-wheel drive alone ensures useful cornering dynamics, while the two-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 280 hp provides the required power – at least once it climbs out of turbo lag.

Compared to the Evo IV, the fifth Evo number has extensive improvements. The wide track improved handling and appearance, because unlike its predecessor, Haudrauf’s version of the well-mannered Lancer had body flares. The braking system from Brembo has also been improved. Such as an engine with modified intercooler, turbocharger, pistons, oil and water coolers and injectors. The gearshift is manual, although the Evo V only has multiple gears for sportier development.

Estimated price? 80,000 to 100,000 pounds!

As is often the case with cars from famous past owners, not just one car will be auctioned at the end of February. Iconic includes a lot of documentation with the Lancer Evo V, which Richard Burns previously owned, in the form of invoices, service records, clippings from newspapers, magazines and books and a USB stick with all kinds of photos. If you can imagine an Evo in your garage, you should head down to Stoneleigh Park on February 24 and put your hand up to bid. However, it will not be cheap: the auction house has set an estimated price of 80,000 to 100,000 pounds (a good 93,000 to around 116,500 euros).