Burgess began racing in 1950 with a Cooper Formula Three car and had a successful 1951 season including a win at the Nürburgring before moving up to sports cars and Formula Two, where he was less successful.
Burgess comezou a competir en 1950 cun Cooper de Fórmula 3 e tivo unha exitosa tempada en 1951 incluíndo unha vitoria en Nürburgring antes de pasar aos coches deportivos e Fórmula Dúas, onde tivo menos éxito.