Burns Subaru / Peugeot Tug-Of-War

[BootsOntheSide]

What do people make of the current situation which has brewed, whereby Subaru claim they had a clause in the contract that would see Burns remain with them if he won the World Title? Personally I think Subaru are having a laugh with this. They obviously under-estimated Burns, not predicting that he would not only challenge for and win the title, but also increase Rallying's popularity with his feud with McRae, and are now trying to back down on their decision to let him go. Whether they thought about what would happen to their existing signings including Makinen when they did all of this is unclear.

[AndyF]

If Burns is forced to stay at Subaru, his heart won't be in it, and he will probably fail to perform!

[SJ Spode]

Looks like it's sorted, judging from autosport.com

" Recently crowned World Rally Champion Richard Burns will drive for Peugeot next year as his legal wrangle with his current manufacturer Subaru appears certain to be resolved out of court.

"Burns's lawyers, claimed that Subaru's signing of Tommi Makinen allowed their man to leave the team because the Finn was a suitable replacement. They also claimed that his contract's clause that he had to remain because he was World Champion was a restriction of trade."


So let's hope everything can get back to normal now. Roll on 2002!!!

[Stephen Green]

No doubt there was a 'brown envelope' seen changing hands as well?

[rdjones]

This just from Autosport.com:-

Burns dispute is finally settled

English World Champion is on his way to Peugeot after all




Burns can afford to smile at last about his new Peugeot deal

Recently crowned World Rally Champion Richard Burns will drive for Peugeot next year as his legal wrangle with his previous manufacturer Subaru was resolved out of court today (Wednesday).

Subaru has confirmed Burns will make his switch to the French marque as planned next year, just a season after winning the world title with them.

Subaru started court proceedings in High Court last week to prevent Burns leaving the squad. It claimed he was bound by an existing contract to remain with the team because he won the World Championship this year.

Burns's lawyers, however, claimed that Subaru's signing of Tommi Makinen allowed their man to leave the team because the Finn was a suitable replacement. They also claimed that his contract's clause that he had to remain because he was World Champion was a restriction of trade.

Subaru announced today (Wednesday) that he has been "released from his contractual obligations" and wished Burns and his co-driver Robert Reid all the best in the future.

The details of the settlement are likely to remain secret.

Thank god all thats over, let battle commence on the Monte in January