Richard Burns Tribute Impreza: Racing for Charity Across Europe

John Hannan – 2001 Subaru Impreza WRC Replica

Event: A Driving Force for SSAFA 2026
Duration: August 1-11, 2026
Route: UK to Bosnia (11 days, thousands of miles)
Goal: £100,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

Location: Rochester, Kent, UK
Support: ssafa.enthuse.com/pf/john-hannan

"Being part of A Driving Force allows me to fulfil my dream of being able to share my version of the WRC experience with everyone." – John Hannan

When Rally Fandom Becomes a Mission

John Hannan from Rochester, Kent, isn't just a Subaru owner—he's a lifelong rally fan who attended countless World Rally Championship (WRC) events across Europe, many with hospitality from Prodrive, the legendary team that ran Subaru's rally program.

At these events, John noticed something frustrating: as a rally fan, you cannot get near your heroes' cars. You can't touch them, photograph near them, or even dream of sitting inside one. They're roped off, guarded, untouchable.

That observation planted a seed that would eventually grow into something remarkable.

From Daily Driver to Tribute Car

John purchased the car about eighteen months after it rolled off the production line—a black Subaru Impreza WRX with PPP (Prodrive Performance Pack). Minor modifications followed: wheels, rally decals, spoilers. The car became his partner's daily driver, and John only got to use it when driving to European WRC events.

After a freak debilitating accident, John's partner was no longer able to drive the car. That's when the plan crystallized: transform it into a Richard Burns tribute car.

The timing was perfect. The car wore a 2001 registration plate—the same year Richard Burns became the only Englishman to win the Rally World Championship. Burns, who tragically died in 2005 from a brain tumor at just 34 years old, remains a hero to British motorsport fans.

Building a WRC Car for the Road

To create an authentic tribute, nearly every body panel was either made new or altered to make the car wider—replicating the aggressive stance of a true WRC (World Rally Car).

The transformation included:

• Full widebody conversion to match WRC proportions
• Iconic Subaru World Rally Blue paint
• Gold BBS-style wheels (the signature Subaru rally look)
• Day-glow yellow rally decals matching Burns' 2001 championship livery
• Upgraded suspension for rally-inspired handling
• Fully forged engine built to handle serious power and abuse
• Bespoke gearbox for quick, precise shifts
• Custom number plate using the same letters as the rally team, with "44" added—the code number for Prodrive's rally project before the car had a working title

The result? A WRC car for the road that looks, sounds, and feels like the real thing.

More Than a Replica: A Rolling Charity Platform

Both John and the car were introduced to the Richard Burns Foundation by Prodrive. The car became a substitute for the actual championship-winning Impreza, which sits in a private collection. It has attended charity dinners, photo shoots, and even video game launches.

John's plan from the beginning was to allow everyone to experience the thrill of the WRC. He started by letting people photograph the car or sit in their hero's machine—something impossible with the real rally cars.

Then, through a chance meeting in 2014 with Rally for Heroes (now A Driving Force for SSAFA), John found the perfect platform to fulfill his mission: offering people rides in the car for charitable donations to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

"This is a great opportunity for WRC fans, and it raises money too! I now organise lots of these rides, as I enjoy them and love the excitement it gives others."

A Driving Force 2026: The Challenge

John has been a member of this charity event since 2014, and he's proudly returning for ADF26—an 11-day driving adventure from the UK to Bosnia, running August 1-11, 2026.

The event involves 60 cars and support vehicles experiencing some of the best driving roads in Europe while raising funds for serving personnel, veterans, and their families. This year's goal: £100,000 for SSAFA.

"I'm excited and very much looking forward to the 2026 event and raising much needed funds for SSAFA. For me, A Driving Force for SSAFA 2026 provides an exciting challenge to raise more funds for SSAFA, while driving some of the best roads in Europe."

25th Anniversary Celebrations

This year holds special significance: it marks the 25th anniversary of Richard Burns winning the WRC in 2001. John is receiving many requests to exhibit his car as part of the celebrations, bringing Burns' legacy to new audiences and reminding people of England's rallying hero.

The car serves as both a rolling memorial and an educational tool—introducing younger fans to Burns' achievements while giving older fans a tangible connection to memories they treasure.

About SSAFA: The Armed Forces Charity

SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) has one aim: to make sure that no one in the Armed Forces family ever battles alone. It's a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need.

Since 1885, SSAFA has provided welfare and wellbeing assistance tailored to the Armed Forces community. Trained teams of volunteers and employees help nearly 55,000 people annually—including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves), and their families.

SSAFA understands the unique demands of service life, whether in the UK or overseas, and continues to meet the demand for support to enable the entire Armed Forces family to thrive.

At SSAFA, they understand that behind every uniform is a person. And they are here for that person and their family, any time they need them.

More information: ssafa.org.uk/requestingbackup

Complete Build Specifications

Engine & Drivetrain

• Fully forged engine (built for high performance and durability)
• Bespoke rally-spec gearbox
• Prodrive Performance Pack (PPP) foundation

Suspension & Chassis

• Full WRC-style widebody conversion (custom panels)
• Upgraded rally-inspired suspension
• Modified geometry for aggressive stance

Exterior

• Subaru World Rally Blue paint
• Gold BBS-style wheels (iconic rally spec)
• Day-glow yellow rally decals (2001 Richard Burns livery)
• Custom aero components (spoilers, splitters)
• Widebody fenders and panels

Interior

• Rally-inspired interior modifications
• Period-correct details matching 2001 WRC spec

Number Plate

• Custom plate using Prodrive rally team letters
• "44" added (Prodrive's internal project code)

Why This Car Matters

This isn't just a modified Subaru. It's a living tribute to England's only World Rally Champion, a fundraising platform that has raised thousands for military families, and a bridge between fans and their heroes.

John has created something most rally fans only dream about: the chance to sit in, photograph, and even ride in a car that looks and feels like the championship-winning machine—all while supporting a cause that helps those who served.

The car proves that passion projects can serve purposes beyond personal satisfaction. When built with intention and shared generously, they can honor legacies, create experiences, and raise meaningful funds for people in need.

How to Support

To support John Hannan's fundraising for A Driving Force 2026 in aid of serving personnel, veterans, and their families:

Donation Link: ssafa.enthuse.com/pf/john-hannan

Every contribution helps SSAFA continue supporting the Armed Forces family.

Final Thoughts

As John and his Richard Burns tribute Impreza prepare for the 11-day journey to Bosnia, they carry more than just fuel and luggage. They carry the memory of a champion, the gratitude of a community, and the hopes of military families who benefit from SSAFA's support.

For rally fans, it's a chance to see a piece of motorsport history brought back to life.
For veterans and serving personnel, it's proof that communities care.
For John, it's the fulfillment of a dream: sharing the WRC experience with everyone while making a difference.

To the road. To Bosnia. For Richard. For SSAFA. For everyone who's ever loved rally.

Follow the Journey:

• Event: A Driving Force for SSAFA
• Participant: John Hannan
• Support: ssafa.enthuse.com/pf/john-hannan

Contact SSAFA:

• Andrew Johnstone, Corporate Communications Manager
• Email: Andrew.Johnstone@ssafa.org.uk
• Website: www.ssafa.org.uk

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