This page is in Memory of Possum.
Sadly, our Legend Peter 'Possum' Bourne has left this earth. The greatest rally driver in the southern hemisphere and probably in the world is dead but never forgotten. He died this morning of 30th April 2003 in Duniden Hospital around 0100hrs. This after a tragic non-race car accident while checking out the track for the upcoming Race To The Sky in Cordrona, Queenstown. Possum and his family were hit by a Green Jeep Grand Cherokee while in the family's Subaru Outback. Possum was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, and it looked like he was going to live. But this weekend just gone after a drug-induced coma, the family decide to let him off life support. Only then did they find the full extent of his head injuries.
"You will be sadly missed. There is a hole in all of our hearts and a void in all future competitions. Rest In Peace."
Peter 'Possum' Bourne, 13/04/1956 - 30/04/2003
Please place a tribute to Possum here.
"The Story of a great New Zealand Hero."
Peter 'Possum' Bourne was born on 13th April 1956 at Pukekohe Maternity Hospital.
He got his nickname from an accident with a Possum. When he was attending night classes at Pukekohe his mother bought him his first car to travel to and from them. On the first night he got it, he was driving home when a possum ran out infront of him. He swerved to miss it, hit a bank and totalled the car. His mates called him Possum ever since. But they reckoned that his mum called him something else that night!"
His mates got him into Rallying as they were part of the Pukekohe Car Club. He had a few goes and was "Hooked for life." Ever since he has given it 115%. Possums Rally Debut was at the Wodhill Forest Rally in 1979 in a Ford MK1 Cortina with a Rover V8. He started 61st and came 3rd. He holds the record for 7 consecutive wins at the Australian Rally.
His WRC Debut was in the 1981 Rally of New Zealand. He joined the 555 Subaru World Rally Team in 1993 and won the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. In 1994 Possum got the new Impreza WRX Rally car and won it again with co driver Tony Sircombe. They also won the Hong-Kong-Beijing Rally. 1995 did not produce good results and they lost their drive with the factory team at years end. However he raised the funds for his own team and won over the next few years. After winning the Australia Rally for the FOURTH consecutive time he was given the Driver of the Year award. 2000 brought many achievements. He won the Respect Yourself Forest Rally, beat his own record at the Ashley Forest Rally, won the Goldrush Hillclimb, Rally of Canberra, Queensland Rally, Coffs Harbour Rally, Rally of NZ, Rally of Melbourne, China Rally, Saxon Safari Tasmania, Rally of Malaysia, and came in the top ten of Rally of Thailand and Australia. Not to mention the triumphant win at the Race to the Sky - the scene of his accident. Plus many more happy memories of competing in and winning rallies as New Zealand's only full time Rally Driver.
The thing that most people come away from possum with is that he is the nicest down to earth guy they've ever met. His favourite saying is "Spot on!" His family (to whom goes my deepest condolences) consists of his wife Peggy, Sons Taylor and Spencer, Daughter Jazlin and black Labrador Pirelli. When Subaru Japan awarded him a black STi Impreza WRX v3 for winning the '96 title, it was stolen 3 months later. Police later found it after a tip off at a farm - minus bonnet and head lights.
Possum will be remembered for being an honest competitor and a down to earth kiwi. His memory lives on. Rest in Peace Possum.