John Hannan from Rochester in Kent is taking part in a biennial charity driving event this year called A Driving Force for SSAFA in his beloved 2001 Subaru Impreza WRC Replica. John is very proud that he has been a participant of this charity driving event since 2014, when he first met the team. The Richard Burns tribute car is on a 2001 registration plate, which is the same year Richard became the only Englishman to win the Rally World Championship (WRC).
John’s car has been substituted for the real car on occasions, as the real car is in a private collection, and it has attended charity dinners, been used in photo shoots, and even video game launches. As well as taking part in ADF26, John is receiving many requests this year to exhibit his car as part of the 25-year anniversary celebrations of Richard winning the WRC.
ADF26 involves 60 participant cars and support vehicles, experiencing an exhilarating 11-day driving adventure across 10 countries from 1-11 August 2026, hoping to raise £100,000 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. The epic adventure will begin in Dunkirk with a short memorial service for those military personnel that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
- 10 Countries
- 11 Days
- £100,000
Two ex-serving members of HM Forces Benn Laidler MBE and Steve Shaw MA, FCILT, CMCIPD, Directors of A Driving Force, witnessed first-hand the hardship and devastation suffered by casualties of military conflict. They realised that these courageous men, women, and their families needed support to cope with the aftermath of such traumatic life changing injuries or loss. Since 2012, Steve and Benn have been fundraising through charity driving events, which have taken place across the UK and mainland Europe raising over £800,000 for many charities supporting military personnel. For 2026, this enormously successful campaign has set its sights on reaching a cumulative £1,000,000 target of fundraising and 1,000,000 miles of travel!
Partnering with SSAFA once again for the event in 2026, A Driving Force who are accredited Professional Fundraisers with The Fundraising Regulator, have pledged to raise a further £100,000 to support military personnel and their families.
Those taking part in A Driving Force 2026, will once again come from all walks of life, to help others whilst having the adventure of a lifetime. Each entrant covers their own costs per car and are encouraged to fundraise for SSAFA.
Here, John tells us the story behind the car that he is taking on ADF26 and why he is taking part:
“My Car – Subaru Impreza WRC Replica Car
I purchased the car when it was about eighteen months old as a black SUBARU IMPREZA WRX with PPP (Prodrive Performance Pack). Minor modifications ensued including changing wheels and adding rally decals, spoilers etc. The car was in daily use by my partner; I only got to use it when I drove to one of the many European WRC events which I attended.
Over many years of attending these events, a lot of which I was privileged enough to have hospitality with PRODRIVE, the team that runs SUBARU’S rally programme, a plan/project was formed which would determine the future of the car.
What became evident at events is that as a rally fan you cannot get near or close-to your heroes’ car not even to touch it or have photos near it, let alone get in it.
After a freak debilitating accident my partner was no longer able to drive the car, so I looked to turn the car into a RICHARD BURNS tribute car, as the car was on a 2001 registration plate, the same year RICHARD became the only Englishman to win the RALLY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.
To enable this nearly every body panel was either made new or altered to make the car wider to look like a WRC (WORLD RALLY CAR), colour changed to the iconic blue, gold wheels, and day glow yellow decals. Suspension was changed, a new engine (FULLY FORGED), a bespoke gearbox and more turned the car, along with a number plate which uses the same letters as per the rally team with the addition of 44 which was the code number for the rally project before the car had a working title, into a WRC car for the road.
Both the car and I were introduced to the RICHARD BURNS FOUNDATION by PRODRIVE, from which I entered the world of charity, as the car substituted for the real car, which is in a private collection. As part of my plan/project, I always wanted to allow everyone to experience the thrill of the WRC, which I was partially obtaining by allowing people to be photographed or just sitting in their hero’s car or a WRC replica.
Through a chance meeting in 2014 with RALLY FOR HEROES now (A DRIVING FORCE FOR SSAFA), I was able to fulfil my plan/project by now offering people a ride in their hero’s car for a charitable donation to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity as part of my fundraising for the car rally events. 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.
I am excited and very much looking forward to the 2026 event and raising much needed funds for SSAFA. For myself, A Driving Force for SSAFA 2026 provides an exciting challenge to raise more funds for SSAFA, whilst driving on some of the best roads available in Europe.
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.”
If you would like to support John and his fundraising for A Driving Force for SSAFA 2026, you can donate here – All monies donated go directly to the charity! https://ssafa.enthuse.com/pf/john-hannan
