30th April, 2003

Vale: Possum Bourne

MOTORSPORT figures in Australia and New Zealand are in mourning for rallying legend Possum Bourne, who passed away peacefully at 12:58am NZ time today.

Possum never regained consciousness after being involved in a traffic accident on the Snow Farm Rd, in the Cardrona Valley near Lake Wanaka in Central Otago, on Good Friday.

He was air lifted from the crash site with head injuries and two broken legs to Dunedin Hospital, where he remained in the Intensive Care Unit in an induced coma until his death.

Possum's wife Peggy, his mother, two sisters, brother, other close family members and friends had maintained a 24 hour bedside vigil and Possum's medical condition was monitored constantly, including several CT Scans.

Following a series of neurological tests and the latest scan a decision was made in the best interests of Possum to withdraw the life support system gradually from Monday afternoon.

Survived by his wife Peggy and three children, Taylor (8), Spencer (4) and Jazlin (3),  Possum had been rallying for 24 years and gained international recognition, including three Asia-Pacific Championships in his remarkable achievements.

In addition to defending his ARC title this year, he had also been picked by Subaru Tecnica International (STi) to drive an Impreza WRX STi in the production class of the World Rally Championship.

His amazing career highlights included New Zealand Rally Champion, 1991; Australian Rally Champion, 1996-2002; ARC Class Champion Group A, 1992; Asia Pacific Champion, 1993, 1994 and 2000. He was also instrumental in contributing points to Subaru's five ARC Manufacturers titles in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Subaru Australia general manager Nick Senior said: "Subaru has lost its most dedicated ambassador. Australian rallying has lost its greatest driver. Possum's family has lost a great Dad.

"Possum was a real character. Full of humour, full of life and abundant in energy.

"He was there in Subaru's pioneering stage at the top level of rallying and remained with the brand since.

"Possum's results are well documented and need no defence or explanation. He was not only THE driver of his generation, but arguably the best to come out of the southern hemisphere.”

A proud New Zealander, Possum listed fellow countrymen yachtsman the late Sir Peter Blake and cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee as his favourite sportspeople, while his childhood idols were rally heroes Ari Vatanen and Walter Rohrl.

New Zealand's only full-time professional rally driver was named Peter by his parents, but was known as Possum since an accident in his first car when the young driver swerved to miss a possum, then rolled down a bank while the creature escaped injury. Possum also came out of the ordeal unscathed but he had totalled his first car and earned himself a new nickname.