Burns stars at Rallyday.

2001 World Rally champion, Richards Burns made an 'emotional' appearance at the 2005 Rallyday Saturday.

The Englishman was visiting the Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire, as he wanted to see his private collection of cars which were driven during the show by a host of rallying aces, including former rival - and Britain's other world champion, Colin McRae.

Speaking prior to taking Burns' championship winning 2001 Subaru Impreza WRC out for a spin, McRae admitted he was looking forward to having a go in it.

"I nearly won that championship that year so if I drive the car at least I can say I drove the car that won the championship!" said the Scot.

Burns last competed in the WRC with Peugeot, prior to being diagnosed with a brain tumour in November 2003. Since then he has been following a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and was re-admitted to hospital back in April this year for surgery, which doctors described at the time as 'successful'.

Mark Higgins, who drove the 206 - which Burns competed in during his last season in the top flight, said that he is doing well.

"It has been quite emotional for us really to be driving Richard's cars - to drive the Peugeot 206 and have Richard here - it was very nice to be asked to do that for him," Higgins told Crash.net Radio.

"He has been a good friend of mine for a long time and you know he is fighting really hard through this illness and I don't think anyone would have fought as hard as he is. On a positive note it has been great - good for him and good to see all his cars and all the people down here today.

"He is doing very well considering the illness he has. Everyday is a battle and you know Richard was a fighter in rally car and he is fighting this very hard. I think we've all got to get behind him and just see what happens."