By BOB PEARCE
Possum Bourne's crash came just as the popular driver achieved his ambition to drive on the world rally circuit.
The 47-year-old from Pukekohe has been loyal to Subaru for more than 20 years, and is as popular in Japan as he is in New Zealand.
This year, the
Japanese manufacturer repaid that loyalty by backing his campaign to compete in the world production-car championship.
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 usually 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, Bourne is seventh in the championship.
Since he started rallying he has been a superb front man for the sport, articulate, friendly and internationally recognised for his skills in driving and preparing cars.
He was christened Peter but, since damaging his mother's car as a teenager while avoiding a possum, he has been known as Possum.
He still bases himself in Pukekohe, where he grew up and has an international business building and developing rally cars.
Last week Bourne was sidelined from the world championship Rally of New Zealand with a blown engine. It was typical of his attitude that he smiled on camera and looked forward to the next event rather than cursed his bad luck.
He was to contest the Canberra Rally in Australia next weekend and the Argentine Rally - round three of the world production-car series - next month.
He has been rallying since 1979 and is New Zealand's only professional rally driver. He is a three-time Asia Pacific championship winner and has won the Australian champs for the past seven years.
