Possum Bourne - RIP

[Gats]

RIP POSSUM

[AzzurrA]

Even though i never had the honour of meeting him personally, he came across as a genuinely nice bloke, and a great driver. You will be sadly missed Possum.

R.I.P.

[pp]

RIP Possum. Thinking and praying for your family. Your achievements in rallying and within the motorsport community will forever remain an inspiration to many.

[carlo]

I honestly have tears in my eyes. Possum was and has been a personal hero of mine for years. I used to watch in admiration as he made that subaru fly.

He was a top bloke, always had time for his fans and fellow drivers, he will be missed.

RIP Possum.

[MRGT4]

RIP Poss.

[n12turbo]

Originally posted by carlo
I honestly have tears in my eyes. Possum was and has been a personal hero of mine for years. I used to watch in admiration as he made that subaru fly.

He was a top bloke, always had time for his fans and fellow drivers, he will be missed.

RIP Possum.

Well said Carlo, couldnt of summed it up any better myself.

He probably wouldnt be comptable with people calling him a hero, but Possum thats what you are and always will be!

Its sad but my life is better for have knowing him.

RIP Possum

[EVL69]

Another Sad Day in the world of Motorsport.

[IMOA]

The world lost one of it's bright lights last night

RIP Possum

[Billzilla]

So he's finally at rest.

Saluté friend.

[Billzilla]

Kiwi icon Possum Bourne dies

30.04.2003
7.10am
New Zealand motorsport icon Peter Raymond George "Possum" Bourne, whose motor rallying exploits and engaging personality made him a household name died at 12.58am today.

Bourne, New Zealand's only professional rally driver, was critically injured in a car crash on April 18 and had been in a drug-induced coma since undergoing surgery for severe head, chest and leg injuries.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce Possum Bourne passed away peacefully at 12.58am on Wednesday, April 30, at Dunedin Hospital," his family said in a statement.

Another statement would be made on behalf of the family at 11.today.

On Monday his family decided that life support systems would be gradually decreased as the brain injury Bourne suffered was severe and continuing "full life support is no longer in Possum's best interests".

Bourne, 47, who became the public face of New Zealand rallying, was born in 1956 in Pukekohe and was originally named Peter, but acquired his nickname as a result of a teenage driving indiscretion. He rolled his mother's car when avoiding a possum on the way back from a mechanic's course in Auckland.

A member of New Zealand Motorport's Wall of Fame Bourne began his rallying career in 1979, driving a Mark 1 Cortina with a V8 engine in which he gained 3rd placing in the first rally he entered.

The result inspired him to become a professional rally driver and by 1983 he had attracted the attention of Japanese car manufacturer Subaru who backed his New Zealand rally campaigns.

Further strong results followed and encouraged Subaru in 1986 to back him in rally events in Australia. Asia, Africa, the United Sates and Great Britain.

By the mid-1990s Bourne had established himself as the most successful rally driver in the southern hemisphere, a position he cemented with a string of successes right up until his death.

But these successes were achieved at a cost. In 1993 Bourne was driving when long time co-driver, friend and business partner Rodger Freeth was killed in a spectacular accident on the first day of the World Championship round in Australia.

Devastated by the tragedy Bourne continued driving, dedicating the 1993 Asia Pacific Championship he subsequently won to his dead friend.

A seven-time Australian rally champion, Bourne was New Zealand Champion in 1991 and Asia Pacific Champion in 1993, 1994 and 2000.

This year Bourne achieved a long held ambition to drive on the world rally circuit.

It was a belated reward for a driver who had frequently taken on the world's best in New Zealand and Australia in inferior machinery and outperformed many of them.

He came fourth in the first round in Sweden in February, although he had never competed on snow before.

Despite his failure to finish in the New Zealand round of championship earlier this month, Bourne was in seventh place in the championship.

Interviewed last year after winning his seventh consecutive Australian championship, Bourne was asked whether he would try for another?

"Yes. I'm doing what I like doing. The trouble is that in a materialistic world people seem to think when you've done it once why would you do it again," he said.

"They fail to understand the reason you do it is not for the results, but because we're doing what we want to do and we've worked damn hard to put together the best team in this part of the world.

"The only hard thing is the time away from home. I have fantastic support from Peggy and the three kids. They hate seeing me go and when I ring up they ask whether I've won the rally yet. They don't expect anything but wins."

- NZPA


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydispl...ection=general

[Travers]

A true motorsport icon.

May he rest in peace.

[pp]

The latest from Subaru Aus ...

Statement from Nick Senior a Director of Subaru New Zealand and Australia
on behalf of Possum's family

Possum Bourne, New Zealand's most successful rally driver died peacefully
surrounded by his wife Peggy and their family in Dunedin Hospital at 12.58
am (NZ time) today, Wednesday 30 April.

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, April 18.

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 ever since.

Possum's wife Peggy, his mother, two sisters, brother, other close family
members and friends have maintained a 24 hour bedside vigil over the past
12 days.

Possum's medical condition has been monitored constantly, including several
CT Scans.

In the accident he suffered a rotational head injury, resulting in diffuse
axonal injury, and over the week developed multiple areas of brain infarction.

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.

On behalf of Possum's family I would like to thank the staff at Dunedin
Hospital for all the care they have lavished on Possum.

The family would also like to acknowledge the thousands of emails, faxes,
cards, flowers and other messages of support they have received over the
last 12 days.

At this time the family does not wish to make any personal statements and I
would ask you respect their position and not intrude in their time of grief.

Possum is survived by his wife Peggy and three children, Taylor (8),
Spencer (4) and Jazlin (3).

Funeral details will be announced at a later date.

Possum was a great man. A great sportsman and New Zealander. A great son,
brother, husband and father. His spirit and memory will live on.

[The Pupat]

RIP to a True Legend and Hero :cry:

[No-Logic]

May you rest in the sweetest peace...

[EvoMad]

Possum may you rest in peace. Your personality and driving has dominated Australian rallying over the past 15 years and will be sorely missed. Vale Possum.