Campana
prepares for
Germany with
Burns Rally win

Driving a MINI John Cooper Works WRC for the French Drive-Pro organisation, Campana and co-driver Sabrina de Castelli claimed victory by 21 seconds ahead of the Darrian T90 of British crew John Indri and John Harland after winning six of the eight all-asphalt special stages.

The event, held in memory of the English world champion Burns, who lost his battle with cancer in 2005, first took place in 2008 when Markko Martin and Robert Reid claimed an emotional victory in a Subaru Impreza. It has been held every year since.

Campana was using the outing to prepare for this week’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland, his first of two planned appearances in the world championship in a works-assisted MINI.

“The Richard Burns Memorial Rally has been a remarkable event and it has been an absolute honour to join so many people in paying tribute to such a rally legend,” said Campana, 26. “I would like to thank the organisers of the event for their hospitality and their fantastic organisation.

“We wanted to use the event as a way of getting more mileage in the MINI before we compete in Rallye Deutschland next week, so it is very pleasing to have won the rally, particularly against such knowledgeable and passionate competitors. Stage wins and times were not part of our plan, but it has been a very valuable event in terms of understanding the car on asphalt and in changing weather conditions.”

Campana, who is being supported by the French motorsport federation, the FFSA, said: “The car felt good, the Michelin tyres worked well and it’s been good for Sabrina and I to make our debut as Drive-Pro drivers, working with Prodrive staff, who gave us a great support, all of which adds to our preparations for Germany, which I am really looking forward to.”