Possum Bourne's Career
The BEST driver of his generation and perhaps the best to come out of the Southern Hemisphere, Peter 'Possum' Bourne is New Zealand's homegrown rally legend who single-handedly raised the profile of rallying in New Zealand.
Peter Raymond George Bourne was nicknamed ‘Possum’ at age 16 by rolling his first car, a Humber 80, while swerving to avoid a possum. After being teased as the ‘possum-dodger’ and ‘possum-lover’ by workmates the following day, the nickname Possum stuck.
1979
Possum began his rally career in 1979 (aged 23) at the Woodhill Forest Rally in New Zealand. Driving a MK1 V8 Ford Cortina, Possum placed third from 48th seeding and his talent and passion for driving became a professional possibility.
“That day, I decided that my aim was to become a professional rally driver and strive to be New Zealand’s best”
— Possum Bourne
1983
In 1983 after many more competition and club rally wins, Possum’s ambition started to pay off when a sponsorship deal with Subaru ‘for a season’ was so successful it spanned two decades. The deal was as interesting as Possum’s unique career itself. Possum approached the local Subaru dealer, who rang the then boss of Subaru New Zealand, who said to the dealer “we’re only interested in getting involved with that Possum Bourne guy.” There started the involvement with Subaru and birth of the most outstanding racing career in New Zealand history at age 27. It was the birth of the brand’s most loyal driver.
Possum’s first Subaru was a white RX Leone Coupe with 4WD and only 85 horsepower. But with the 4WD, the grip was superb. In the 1983 Sanyo International Rally of New Zealand, Possum finished a credible 14th overall against the World Rally stars of that era such as Michele Mouton and Stig Blomqvist.
The performance in 1983 prompted Subaru Japan to send a factory-developed RX Coupe with nearly twice the power of the standard engine – 160bhp.
1984
In 1984 due to his efforts, he was awarded the Dunlop Rally Driver of the Year for the first time, but this would not be the last time this award would be bestowed on Possum.
1985
In 1985 the turbocharged era started with Possum being the recipient of an RX Turbo Group A Coupe courtesy of the Subaru Motorsports Group, in time for the AWA Clarion Rally of New Zealand, now with 200 bhp.
In the same year, Possum earned the respect of the International World Rally community as he undertook the Safari Rally in Kenya (despite its notorious attrition rate), the course was infamous, as almost designed to total rally cars. During this event Possum won the Elephant Trophy for the ‘Most Meritorious Performance of the Safari’.
1987
1987 in Kenya also saw the introduction of Possum to his greatest fan and the woman who would back him to the top of rallying, Peggy Bourne. An inspiration herself, Peggy was a perfect match for Possum, the ultimate positive combination.
1988
In 1988, Possum joined with the newly formed organisation, Subaru Tecnica International (STi), responsible for Subaru’s rallying efforts. Possum entered the Safari Rally again and this time finished 9th overall. The following year, an improved result with 7th overall.
1990
1990 saw the introduction of the Subaru Legacy RS in conjunction with Prodrive. In its first year of competition a lot of development was needed. Possum in his usual fashion used Kiwi ingenuity and took 100 kgs out of the car. He placed 4th in the Australian WRC round against strong competition of the likes of Juha Kankkunen, Didier Auriol, and Kenneth Erickson. Subaru Australia took note of Possum’s impressive performance and signed him on to compete in the Australian Rally Championship.
1993
In 1993 Possum earned a works rally drive for the Prodrive Subaru 555 World Rally Team alongside fellow rally legends Colin McRae, Richard Burns, and Ari Vatanen, contesting the Asia Pacific Rally title. Possum would fulfil his works drive commitments while still contesting the Australian Rally Championship. With full factory support, Possum won his first rally with Prodrive in Indonesia in scorching 46°C temperatures and tropical rainstorms. In the next rally, Possum and Colin McRae led a 1-2 finish in Malaysia.
Later in 1993, during the 1993 Australian WRC, tragedy struck when Rodger Freeth, Possum’s long time co-driver and friend passed away after a crash on the third stage in Perth. Rodger himself was a motorbike and race car champion with a PhD to boot.
Possum dedicated the rest of his career to Rodger and all his cars would bear the name ‘ROJ’ on their number plates from then on.
After only a month off, Possum, motivated by his dedication to Rodger, undertook the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally with the Prodrive Subaru 555 World Rally Team. The team finished 1-2-3. The same year, Possum won his first FIA Asia Pacific Championship.
1994
1994 saw the introduction of the Subaru Impreza WRX and in the form of the Prodrive Group A rally car. This would become the most successful car for Subaru. Possum won the Rally Driver of the Year award for the second time, as the driver who produced the best results and goodwill for the sport.
The same year Possum won the Asia Pacific Rally Championship for the second time, with the poignant victory coming in China.
1996
However, in the 1996 season, Possum was not included in the Prodrive run 555 World Rally Team and instead purchased his own Prodrive Impreza to attack the Australian Rally Championship which he won that year.
1997
In 1997, Possum went to Japan to discuss the upcoming season with STi and as a celebration of 14 years with Subaru, they handed him a brand new Impreza STi which the Bourne family still owns today.
Possum, running his own team, won a second consecutive Australian Rally Championship in that year, despite stiff competition from rivals running World Rally cars against Possum’s now older Group A car.
1998
1998 was a similar fate, with Possum continuing in his Group A Impreza, against World Rally cars which were far more advanced. As he always had done, he worked with what he had and won a third Australian Rally Championship.
1999
1999 finally saw Possum drive a World Rally car, an ex-Colin McRae Subaru purchased off Prodrive. The increase in performance was instant, with Possum able to match the factory teams, and grabbing a record fourth Australian Rally Championship title.
2000
2000 continued the fine form and with a busy season racing in both the Australian Championship and the Asia Pacific Championship, Possum achieved both honours, with a fifth Australian title and a third FIA Asia Pacific title.
No one says it better than Peggy Bourne…
“I was so proud of Possum winning the APRC in 2000. He put together a great package and with a fantastic positive attitude, achieved his dream of winning the title with his own dedicated team.”
— Peggy Bourne
2001
In 2001, Possum’s sponsors Subaru Australia bought the 2000 spec Prodrive World Rally car which looked similar to the 1999 model but was much more advanced and faster over every kilometre. The car however, like anything complex, had plenty of teething troubles and the team overcame a number of hurdles on the way to Possum achieving yet another Australian Rally Championship title (his 6th).
2002
2002 saw the introduction of the Australian Championship adopting Group N rules. Possum had to say goodbye to the WRC car and readjust to the less powerful Group N Subaru. Possum had to adapt his “chuck it in as hard as you can” approach to one where he had to maintain precious corner speed. The season started slowly with a DNF and some poor results but through sheer hard work and determination, Possum and the team mastered the Group N Subaru on the way to a record 7th Australian Rally Championship title.
2003
2003 saw Possum re-achieve his dream of competing in the WRC. This time with the support of STi, he would attack the Production World Rally Championship (P-WRC) in a 2 car team with Japan’s Toshi Arai. Possum was living his dream.
Possum also owned and successfully operated his own workshop in Pukekohe, Possum Bourne Motorsport. He based his team there to build and maintain the competition cars and also provide this service to other teams both local and international.
Sadly, on April 18th 2003, Possum was involved in a head on collision whilst preparing for the ‘Race to the Sky’ in Cadrona, central Otago. Possum passed away in Dunedin Hospital on April 30th 2003.
Remebering Possum
Possum will not only be remembered for being New Zealand’s only full-time professional rally driver or his incredible motorsport success, but also his down-to-earth, honest personality and sportsmanship.
Most recently, Possum was inducted into the Australian Rally Hall of Fame for the second time. An inaugural inductee in 1994, for recognition of his achievement of winning seven consecutive Australian Rally Championships, the second induction comes just shy of the 10 year anniversary of his passing.
Possum’s remarkable career saw him winning events in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Japan as well as on both sides of the Tasman. He famously won the Australia Rally Championship 7 times, with 6 consecutive years 1996 – 2003, 3 Asia Pacific Rally Championships, and dominating the local circuits and club rallies in New Zealand. He was New Zealand’s only FIA Rally Champion at the time.
Not only renowned for his talent and success on the track, Possum was also an inspirational example of sportsmanship. Most notably during the Auckland Hella Lights Rally, he stopped to assist a fellow competitor who had been seriously injured in a crash during the first stage. Possum was unable to complete the stage but still placed third and was awarded with the ‘Sportsmanship Award’. He went on to be named Driver of the Year.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Peggy Bourne-Mitchell, Possum’s mum Peggy, Possum’s sister Kristine Game, and all those who have helped to tell Possum’s story through many mediums including his Autobiography, published by Phantom House.
Thanks to the photographers who have lent their photos for this purpose, including the Bourne family, Prodrive, John Coker, Subaru New Zealand, Subaru Australia, Car Becker, and Dean Treml. For other photos, we have been unable to locate the source, so we thank any unacknowledged sources.
Photos and content of the Possum Bourne Project Prodrive WRC Replica courtesy of NZ Performance Car Magazine.