People's favourite who stayed loyal to his roots

By AINSLEY THOMSON

In Pukekohe, Possum Bourne was a local boy who became a hero.

Yesterday the town of 14,000 paid tribute to the man who won world recognition as a rally driver, yet always remained loyal to his roots.

Since the news of his death, mourners have streamed to his workshop just down the road from Pukekohe Park raceway.

The Subaru that Bourne was to have driven in the World Rally Championship was yesterday parked outside the workshop.

By last night the car was covered in flowers. The tributes ranged from bouquets to a daisy tucked under the rear windscreen wiper.

Among the flowers were notes of sympathy to the Bourne family, with messages such as: "An inspiration who will be missed but not forgotten."

Cars slowed as they passed the workshop, and some tooted.

Everyone there had a story about Possum Bourne, who died yesterday in Dunedin Hospital from injuries suffered in an April 18 collision.

Some residents were rally fans, but others had simply been charmed by the famous local man who always had time for a chat.

Len Holgate, placing flowers on Bourne's car, said people in Pukekohe were devastated. "Around here he just helped everyone. He was nice to talk to. He was a good guy."

Ray and Val Barber, who used to live down the road from Bourne, said the town was in shock.

"Pukekohe is devastated. It's just the same as losing Elvis Presley."

Jane Neary, who brought her 2-year-old daughter Aleisha with her to place flowers, described Bourne as a "Puke man through and through".

Gary Andrews, who works across the road from the workshop, felt the rally star had put a small town on the map. Bourne always tried to get all his work done locally.

Staff at the workshop have decided to clean up Bourne's first rally car - a V8 Mark I Cortina - and display it outside.

It was the car that in 1979 took Bourne to a third placing in the first rally he entered - a result that inspired him to go professional.

In an interview for the 100% Pure New Zealand website Bourne described the black sand and wild waves of his local town's beaches as a unique slice of New Zealand.

Now Pukekohe is returning the tribute. The Franklin District Council is working with Bourne's family to organise a memorial.