1. Early Life and Rallying Career
Robert Reid's early life in Scotland fostered his passion for motorsport, leading him into the world of rallying as a co-driver, where he quickly gained experience before forming his pivotal partnership with Richard Burns.
1.1. Early Rallying Years
Reid's journey in rallying began with his first stage rally, the 1984 Hackle Rally, which was a round of the Scottish Rally Championship. For seven years, he competed in various rallies across the United Kingdom, co-driving for several notable drivers. These included Robbie Head, and future World Rally Championship winners Colin McRae and Alister McRae, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future career.
1.2. Formation of Partnership with Richard Burns
In 1991, Robert Reid formed a new and enduring partnership with Richard Burns, which would become one of the most successful pairings in rally history. Their initial foray into the World Rally Championship saw them place 16th in the British round that year. The following year, they improved to 7th place. Their breakthrough came in 1993 when they won the British Rally Championship while driving a Subaru, an achievement that made Burns the youngest ever British champion at the time. Over 1994 and 1995, Burns and Reid competed in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship and also made occasional appearances in the World Rally Championship, achieving their best result of third place in the 1995 British round of the WRC, again driving a Subaru.
2. World Rally Championship (WRC) Career
Robert Reid's World Rally Championship career was marked by consistent performance, culminating in a world title, and involved significant periods with leading manufacturer teams before an unforeseen end to his competitive driving.
2.1. Mitsubishi Ralliart (1996-1998)
From 1996 to 1998, Robert Reid and Richard Burns competed for Mitsubishi Ralliart, demonstrating continuous improvement in their results each season. In 1996, they secured fifth place in the Australian round and fourth in the Argentinian round of the World Rally Championship. The subsequent year saw them finish fourth in the British, Australian, Indonesian, New Zealand, and Greek rounds of the Championship, alongside a strong second-place finish in the Kenyan round. Their progress culminated in 1998 with their first-ever WRC victories: a win in the Kenyan round (the Safari Rally) and a triumph at the British round (the Rally of Great Britain). These achievements led to them finishing sixth overall in the 1998 World Rally Championship season.
2.2. Subaru World Rally Team (1999-2001)
In 1999, Burns and Reid made a strategic move to the Subaru World Rally Team, a period that would define their championship aspirations. They immediately found success, winning the Greek (Acropolis Rally), Australian (Rally Australia), and British (Rally of Great Britain) rounds of the Championship. They also secured second-place finishes in the Argentinian, Finnish, and Chinese rounds, ultimately finishing as runners-up in the 1999 World Rally Championship season.
The following year, in the 2000 World Rally Championship season, they once again finished as runners-up, despite winning four rounds: the Kenyan (Safari Rally), Portuguese (Rallye de Portugal), Argentinian (Rally Argentina), and British (Rally of Great Britain) rallies. They were narrowly beaten by Marcus Grönholm by just five points at the end of the season.
2.2.1. 2001 World Rally Champion
The 2001 World Rally Championship season proved to be the pinnacle of Robert Reid and Richard Burns's competitive career. They secured their first and only World Rally Championship title, finishing a close two points ahead of their rival, Colin McRae. Their consistent performance throughout the season included a victory in the New Zealand round (Rally New Zealand) and significant second-place finishes in the Argentinian, Cypriot, Finnish, and Australian rounds. This triumph made Richard Burns the first English driver to become a world champion, with Reid as his integral co-driver.
2.3. Peugeot Sport (2002-2003)
Following their championship win, Robert Reid and Richard Burns moved to Peugeot Sport for the 2002 season. This transition did not yield the same level of success as their Subaru years, although they still managed four second-place finishes in 2002 at the Spanish, Cypriot, Finnish, and German rounds of the Championship. Marcus Grönholm claimed the title that year by thirty points, with Burns and Reid finishing fifth overall in the standings.
In the 2003 World Rally Championship season, Burns and Reid achieved two second-place and five third-place finishes, giving them an outside chance of reclaiming the world title heading into the final rally of the season, the Wales Rally GB. However, while driving to the event, Richard Burns suffered a blackout at the wheel, forcing their withdrawal from the rally. Burns was subsequently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour, which ultimately led to the premature end of their active competition. Throughout Burns's illness, Reid remained a steadfast friend, spending two to three days per week with him and deciding not to race with any other driver during this period. On November 25, 2005, exactly four years to the day after Burns and Reid had won their World Championship title, Richard Burns passed away.
2.4. Post-Competitive Rallying Activities
After Richard Burns's diagnosis and passing, Robert Reid's competitive rallying involvement became very limited. According to the online rally database eWRC-results.com and Reid's own accounts, he has participated in only one rally since Burns fell ill: the 2008 Richard Burns Memorial Rally. In this event, he co-drove for the Estonian driver Markko Märtin, who had been with Burns on the day he experienced his blackout. In 2007, Reid was also approached by Colin McRae with the possibility of becoming his co-driver for a potential return to the World Rally Championships. However, McRae tragically died in an accident just a week before their scheduled test, preventing any such reunion.
3. Non-Racing Career and Leadership Roles
Following his retirement from competitive co-driving, Robert Reid embarked on a significant non-racing career, taking on prominent leadership and administrative roles within motorsport governance.
3.1. Performance Director at Motorsport UK
Robert Reid served for several years as the Performance Director of the UK Motor Sport Association. In this capacity, he was instrumental in establishing elite programs specifically designed to develop young driver talent across the United Kingdom. His work involved identifying and nurturing the next generation of British motorsport competitors. He also worked alongside former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz to select and train emerging talent as part of the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy, demonstrating his commitment to athlete development.
3.2. International Automobile Federation (FIA) Roles
Reid has held numerous influential positions within the FIA, the governing body for world motorsport. His past roles include serving as Vice-President of the World Rally Championship Commission, Chair of WRC Stewards, and a member of the FIA International Sporting Code Review Commission. These roles allowed him to contribute significantly to the regulatory and sporting integrity of global rallying.
3.2.1. FIA Deputy President for Sport
In 2021, Robert Reid was elected as the FIA Deputy President for Sport, serving alongside Mohammed bin Sulayem. This high-level executive role places him at the forefront of global motorsport governance. His responsibilities include overseeing various sporting matters, shaping the future direction of disciplines across all FIA championships, and ensuring fair play and the continuous development of motorsport worldwide. This position underscores his substantial impact on the sport beyond his competitive achievements.
3.3. Other Engagements
In addition to his administrative and governance roles, Robert Reid also contributed to the world of motorsport through other notable activities. In 2004, he, along with Richard Burns, lent his voice and likeness to the acclaimed simulation rally game Richard Burns Rally, serving as the player's co-driver, providing an authentic co-driving experience for fans.
His official website, providing further information on his career and activities, can be found at [http://www.robertreid.co.uk robertreid.co.uk].
4. WRC Victories
The following table details the ten World Rally Championship events won by Robert Reid alongside Richard Burns.
| # | Event | Season | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Safari Rally | 1998 | Richard Burns | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV |
| 2 |  Rally of Great Britain | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V | ||
| 3 |  Acropolis Rally | 1999 | Subaru Impreza WRC 99 | |
| 4 |  Rally Australia | |||
| 5 | Rally of Great Britain | |||
| 6 | Safari Rally | 2000 | ||
| 7 |  Rallye de Portugal | Subaru Impreza WRC 00 | ||
| 8 |  Rally Argentina | |||
| 9 | Rally of Great Britain | |||
| 10 |  Rally New Zealand | 2001 | Subaru Impreza WRC 2001 |
5. Assessment and Legacy
Robert Reid's career stands as a testament to both competitive excellence and dedicated service to motorsport. As a co-driver, his enduring partnership with Richard Burns, culminating in the 2001 World Rally Championship title, solidified his place among the sport's elite. Their success was not merely about victories but also about the remarkable synergy and precision required at the highest level of rally competition.
Beyond his time in the co-driver's seat, Reid's substantial impact on motorsport has continued through his leadership and administrative roles. His efforts as Performance Director at Motorsport UK, where he established elite programs, underscore his commitment to fostering young talent and developing the sport's future stars. His influential positions within the FIA, culminating in his role as Deputy President for Sport, highlight his dedication to advancing motorsport governance, promoting fair play, and ensuring the sport's global integrity and growth. Robert Reid's legacy encompasses not only his celebrated achievements on the rally stages but also his profound contributions to the structural development and ethical advancement of the sport he loves.