Send your congratulations to the new champion.

Richard Burns has finished third in the Network Q Rally of Great Britain, making him the first Englishman to win the world title.

The Subaru driver need to finish fourth to clinch the title after the other contenders - Colin McRae and Tommi Makinen - crashed out on Friday.

In the past the Englishman has suffered under pressure, but he held his nerve in the final race of the season to finish above his rivals.

The victory completes a remarkable comeback for Burns and his co-driver Robert Reid, after a dreadful start to the season left them well behind the leaders.

Send your congratulations to the new world champion.

Thanks Richard and Robert you have been inspiration to me for years, it was always a case of when you would be a world champ, not 'if'. I would love to know what that little extra something you have is. (I want it!)
Martin Willis (Rally Driver), England

Well done to Richard Burns - hard luck to Colin McRae but at least the UK has a home grown winner! Maybe now we'll see improved or maybe even LIVE coverage of the 2002 rally championship?!
Scott Hamilton, Scotland

Nice one Richard, behind you all the way. Came to see you at the rally of Great Britain it was excellent. All the best in the next championship.
Shaun, England

Well done Burnsey. It's nice to see my namesake proving a point, but I think next year will be very tough with two McRaes to deal with.
Martin Burns, England

Well done Richard ! What a solid drive in the British Rally. You knew what was needed and did us proud.
Daz P, Reading, UK

Well done Richard, but you're still not as fast as Coiln McRae.
Steve, England

Well done Richard, in the face of a difficult start to the Season you and Robert persevered and kept cool heads to triumph when it mattered. The best to you both for 2002.
Ali Castle, UK

Richard, I knew you could do it, go on stick with your Subaru and repeat it next year,a tip from another ex Gillott's pupil.
Andy webb, England

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. Your race in Britain makes me so excited. It's so sad to see you leaving Subaru, but I'm sure you'll be as good as this year. Well done!
Hiroshi Odagiri, Japan

I might be one of the only Americans to care about racing besides NASCAR, but the WRC was fantastic. Congrats on an awesome season - way to teach those puffed-up old men a lesson.
Scott, USA

Top banana Burnsy! Your title as champion is well deserved!
Adam Burton, Netherlands

Congratulations Richard and Robert. It's great to have another British champion. You have my vote for BBC sports personality of the year!
Lynne Price, UK

Well done, this should keep the porridge gobbler quiet for a while.
Dave Lewis, England

Fantastic to see a nice bloke win, proves you don't have to be a prima donna to do it.
Nevil Arthur, England

His driving was superb and he deserves all the compliments that his fans are sending him. Well done, and good luck for the future.
Andy malby, UK

I'd like to remind people that a championship isn't just won by the driver but everyone in the team so well done to Prodrive as well
Colin, UK

Congratulations to Richard on the title, but looking at his paltry points total of 44 (out of a possible 140) he was lucky that the other challengers couldn't product any consistency.
Jonathan McCaughey, N. Ireland

The whole of Banbury where Prodrive is based wishes you every success with your new team.
Kevin Spiess, England

Richard, since meeting you and nearly killing your boss, remember Dave Richards getting wiped out at the Top Gear Karting by the blonde scottish girl, well that's me. I have followed your career with interest since then. Well done!
Jane Mcfadzean, Scotland

Congratulations, it shows a depth of character to be able to come back and focus all over again after finishing runner up two years in a row, but you did it and succeeded and truly are a deserving champion.
Mark Collinson, England

Thanks for making me a proud Scooby owner!
Brett, USA

I nearly crashed my car when I heard over the radio. Burn Baby Burns.
Charlie, England

I practically jumped out of my seat when I read the news this morning: Burnsie has finally done it! It's about time that such a fantastic driving talent should be recognized; especially considering the up-and-down season he's had!
David Surace, USA

Congratulations on your first world championship and I hope it won't be your last. Good luck with your new team next year.
Steffan Evans, Wales

A big Well Done to Richard Burns - a true world champion who always has time to say hello to his fans. Perhaps the British public will now offer him the recognition he deserves and hopefully he can finally step out of the shadow of Colin McCrash, as Britain's Number one rally driver.
Dave Tandy, Wales

Well done Richard, you deserve the championship - but I wish you weren't going to a French team next year!
Barry Greenfield, England

Well done Richard. Please don't forget the co-driver, Scotland's Robert Reid. rallying is a team effort, and these two have reached the top together!
David Smith, Scotland

Absolutely superb. Under what must have been considerable stress you kept your cool, remained 'focused' (no pun intended) and secured the WRC title through persistent drive and determination. All the very best for the future Richard.
Greg Ray, England

Congratulations Richard on your overdue championship win. Now you have overcome this particular hurdle, there is no reason why you cannot go on and win more championships and break records, as you are easily the most consistent of the front-runners. You have done your country proud.
Neil, Luxembourg

This is a wonderful result for one of sport's real gentlemen. Everyone should congratulate Subaru for giving Richard his chance; together they have been a great team. The 2002 season threatens to see every race dominated by Richard and Marcus Gronholm, who are set to create a new record of most wins in one season between them. Well done Richard; we were with you all of the way!
Gino Francesco, England

Well done Richard, It's nice to see an Englishman on the centre of the podium for a change. You have worked hard for this title win and you deserve it. Congratulations.
Chris Gair, UK

Well done Richard. You deserve to win. You are a credit to the sport and a great ambassador for England.
Rodger Birchenough, England

I would like to congratulate Richard on his achievements. There were times early on in the season when it didn't look possible for you to win the championship, but You have driven brilliantly in the second half of the season. May you carry on the same way next season. Well done again on your achievements.
Ben Cray, Britain

I am very happy with your result - I think you deserve it. I wish you all the best over next year. Congratulations on your world title.
Peter Sivov, Bulgaria

Congratulations to Richard and Robert for their World Title. Remember winning a rally title is done by driving fast and staying on the track and not by throwing insults and crashing out - sorry Colin! Good luck next year at the French Lions Team! A Belgian rally fan!
Johnny de Wit, Belgium

Congratulations to Richard Burns - despite living in the US I still try to follow world rallying and I am delighted that he has finally claimed the top prize. He fully deserves the championship and I must say that McRae has done himself no favours at all with his childish and churlish behaviour over the past few weeks/years. Tough luck McRae - I look forward to seeing the two of them battle it out next year.
Kevin Dicks, USA (English)

As an avid Colin McRae fan, I was obviously rooting for him. But, if I wanted anyone else to win, it was Burnsie. He should now take his place among all the others as one of the greats.
Jon Aspinall, UK

In these days when rallying is moving more toward a sprint event, it is wonderful news that Richard Burns has won the championship through solid and consistent driving. But the best thing of all is that he has finally shown the world exactly how good a driver he is, Well done.
William Patton, UK