Motorsport: Burns highlights Punchestown International Rally Masters

One of the top drivers on the World Rally Championship scene, Richard Burns, will give Irish fans a treat at Punchestown Racecourse on Saturday July 28th.

Burns and his Subaru World Championship back-up team, will participate in the International Rally Masters, an event that is set to attract other International stars along with top Irish drivers like reigning Irish tarmac Champion, Andrew Nesbitt and multi-champion, Austin McHale.

International co-driver, Ronan Morgan, event director of the Punchestown event said: "This is fantastic news, Richard (Burns) is one of the biggest names in world rallying. The Subaru World Rally Team has one of the most impressive set-ups on the World Championship scene"

Morgan also lavished praise on Subaru Ireland, who are responsible for bringing Burns to Ireland. In fact, this will be the third time that the British driver will be here as a guest of Subaru Ireland. Burns has won nine world championship rallies and has finished runner-up in the WRC over the past two seasons.

The 40 invited crews will complete a total of six runs over the four-kilometre stage that is currently being re-surfaced. Unlike the recent Rally Masters, won by Andrew Nesbitt is his Subaru Ireland WRC, the Co. Kildare stage will be reversed for three of the six runs. Over the coming weeks, a number of other International stars will be announced. The event is destined to be one of the highest profile motorsport events in Ireland.