Tuesday November 27, 2001. Richard Burns and Robert Reid’s very secret Peugeot 206 WRC test Given the parlous state of their relationship with Subaru – and the fact they were going to the High Court to let the British justice system decide which color they would wear for the defense of their first ever world championship title – any mention of the word Peugeot was a proper no-no at the time. So, it would have been impossible to imagine them testing a Peugeot 206 WRC for the first time in mid-Wales, wouldn’t it… It happened. “It was a proper, proper secret,” said Reid. “Nobody knew. Nobody was told. There weren’t many people from the team, it was a very, very low-key thing.” Not trusting any of the stages used the previous week, Peugeot rented the Higgins’ family’s Forest Experience rally school – a place where the gate could be locked and long lenses kept well away. There was, however, one lens which was welcome. “Col was there,” said Reid, casually referring to world-renowned snapper and Burns’s bestie Colin McMaster. Having shared a house and a life in Oxfordshire with Burns, it was only natural that the one-day-old world champion would ask his mate if he fancied flying back to Wales for the day. “We took off from a back garden in the village of Broadwell,” McMaster told DirtFish. “It was a real pea-souper of a day. Burnsie had spoken to [Peugeot Sport director Corrado] Provera and had cleared it for me to take some pictures. It was clear, these were only for Richard – just in case he never drove the 206 again.” When the heli landed in Carno, the car was ready. Stripped bare. Ready. “I didn’t think so much about this at the time,” said McMaster. “But Richard and Robert both had Sparco suits on in the colors of Peugeot – minus every single logo and sponsor. “The only decals on the suits were their names and flags. It was the same with their crash helmets, Bell had provided them in the same silver and orange color scheme, but without any logos on. “And the same for the car. It was the test 206 WRC in silver, but with no livery.” The test didn’t last long, as it didn’t take long to convince Burns and Reid the court case and the associated hassle was worth it. A day when the world champions decided their immediate future. McMaster: “We were back in Broadwell in time for dinner.” Words by @DirtFishRally and fantastic pictures by Colin McMaster 👏🏻👏🏻 R.I.P Richard 🙏🏻 📷 @McKlein_Rally @OfficialWRC @Peugeot

We launched our new book: "MG Metro 6R4" at @fosgoodwood with a little help from Jimmy McRae, David Llewellin and Malcolm Wilson. Available to order from: rallyingislife.com/products/… & rallyandracing.com/en/mg-met…

📷 @McKlein_Rally

The @OfficialWRC @RallySweden, 30 years ago today. Some quality metal & mettle on display.