Loonytune15
05-01-2003, 09:44 AM
Statement by Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia
Following is a statement from Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia, issued at Dunedin Hospital today on behalf of Possum Bourne’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.
ENDS
Please note: A memorial service will be held in Sydney late next week. The venue and timing will be announced at a later date.
Close
Subaru pays tribute to rally legend Possum Bourne
The death of legendary seven-times Australian Rally Champion, Possum Bourne, has been met with deep sadness by Subaru Australia, for whom he had driven for almost 10 years.
Possum, the ARC champion from 1996-2002, is survived by wife Peggy and the couple have three children, a daughter Jazlin, aged three, and two sons, Taylor, eight and Spencer, four.
The family lives at Pukekohe, New Zealand, from where he ran Possum Bourne Motorsport.
Possum had been rallying for 24 years and gained international recognition, including three Asia-Pacific Championships in his remarkable achievements.
In addition to defending his ARC title this year, he had also been picked by Subaru Tecnica International (STi) to drive an Impreza WRX STi in the production class of the World Rally Championship.
His amazing career highlights include New Zealand Rally Champion, 1991;
Australian Rally Champion, 1996-2002; ARC Class Champion Group A, 1992;
Asia Pacific Champion, 1993, 1994 and 2000. He was also instrumental in contributing points to Subaru’s five ARC Manufacturers titles in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Possum’s company prepares all the cars for Subaru Rally Team Australia, including those of teammates Cody Crocker and co-driver Greg Foletta, and Dean Herridge and co-driver Glenn Macneall.
Subaru Australia General Manager Nick Senior, who also manages the SRTA programme, said: "Subaru has lost its most dedicated ambassador. Australian rallying has lost its greatest driver. Possum’s family has lost a great Dad.
"Possum was a real character. Full of humour, full of life and abundant in energy.
"He was there in Subaru’s pioneering stage at the top level of rallying and remained with the brand since.
"Possum’s career and the growth of the brand in Australia are inextricably linked.
"His results are well documented and need no defence or explanation. He was not only THE driver of his generation, but arguably the best to come out of the southern hemisphere.
"But more than the results was the tireless effort of Possum to grow the sport of rallying.
"It was not unusual for him to fly from New Zealand to Sydney for a five-minute television interview on Sunday and return home on the next flight.
"He was always accessible to the media and his fans, indeed to everyone who wanted to chat, because Poss loved a chat!
"He worked with rally organisers, rally promoters and motor sport authorities to improve the sport of rallying.
"The growing spectator and media interest in the sport is testament to Possum’s all-consuming passion for rallying.
"He was the ideal team leader and team-mate. He never fostered any jealousies or selfishness.
"What he learned about the car he passed on to Cody and later Dean when they joined the team. He mentored these two and their current success reflects Possum’s enthusiasm to develop this new breed of younger drivers.
"Nothing typifies his competitive spirit more than his 2002 championship win. Some people said he had no hope after switching from the World Rally Car to Group N production class. When he didn’t take a point from the first round, they said he had even less hope. Yet his competitive spirit and skill shone through and Possum clinched his seventh consecutive title.
"Our thought are with Peggy, Jazlin, Spencer and Taylor."
Possum was a proud New Zealander and listed fellow countrymen yachtsman the late Sir Peter Blake and cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee as his favourite sportspeople.
Childhood idols were rally heroes Ari Vatanen and Walter Rohrl.
Named Peter by his parents, he has long been known as Possum since an accident in his first car when the young driver swerved to miss a possum, then rolled down a bank while the creature escaped injury. Possum also came out of the ordeal unscathed but he had totalled his first car and earned himself a new nickname.
Possum said he wanted to be remembered for being an honest competitor.
He was New Zealand’s only full-time professional rally driver.
RIP Possum bourne :(
Following is a statement from Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia, issued at Dunedin Hospital today on behalf of Possum Bourne’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.
ENDS
Please note: A memorial service will be held in Sydney late next week. The venue and timing will be announced at a later date.
Close
Subaru pays tribute to rally legend Possum Bourne
The death of legendary seven-times Australian Rally Champion, Possum Bourne, has been met with deep sadness by Subaru Australia, for whom he had driven for almost 10 years.
Possum, the ARC champion from 1996-2002, is survived by wife Peggy and the couple have three children, a daughter Jazlin, aged three, and two sons, Taylor, eight and Spencer, four.
The family lives at Pukekohe, New Zealand, from where he ran Possum Bourne Motorsport.
Possum had been rallying for 24 years and gained international recognition, including three Asia-Pacific Championships in his remarkable achievements.
In addition to defending his ARC title this year, he had also been picked by Subaru Tecnica International (STi) to drive an Impreza WRX STi in the production class of the World Rally Championship.
His amazing career highlights include New Zealand Rally Champion, 1991;
Australian Rally Champion, 1996-2002; ARC Class Champion Group A, 1992;
Asia Pacific Champion, 1993, 1994 and 2000. He was also instrumental in contributing points to Subaru’s five ARC Manufacturers titles in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Possum’s company prepares all the cars for Subaru Rally Team Australia, including those of teammates Cody Crocker and co-driver Greg Foletta, and Dean Herridge and co-driver Glenn Macneall.
Subaru Australia General Manager Nick Senior, who also manages the SRTA programme, said: "Subaru has lost its most dedicated ambassador. Australian rallying has lost its greatest driver. Possum’s family has lost a great Dad.
"Possum was a real character. Full of humour, full of life and abundant in energy.
"He was there in Subaru’s pioneering stage at the top level of rallying and remained with the brand since.
"Possum’s career and the growth of the brand in Australia are inextricably linked.
"His results are well documented and need no defence or explanation. He was not only THE driver of his generation, but arguably the best to come out of the southern hemisphere.
"But more than the results was the tireless effort of Possum to grow the sport of rallying.
"It was not unusual for him to fly from New Zealand to Sydney for a five-minute television interview on Sunday and return home on the next flight.
"He was always accessible to the media and his fans, indeed to everyone who wanted to chat, because Poss loved a chat!
"He worked with rally organisers, rally promoters and motor sport authorities to improve the sport of rallying.
"The growing spectator and media interest in the sport is testament to Possum’s all-consuming passion for rallying.
"He was the ideal team leader and team-mate. He never fostered any jealousies or selfishness.
"What he learned about the car he passed on to Cody and later Dean when they joined the team. He mentored these two and their current success reflects Possum’s enthusiasm to develop this new breed of younger drivers.
"Nothing typifies his competitive spirit more than his 2002 championship win. Some people said he had no hope after switching from the World Rally Car to Group N production class. When he didn’t take a point from the first round, they said he had even less hope. Yet his competitive spirit and skill shone through and Possum clinched his seventh consecutive title.
"Our thought are with Peggy, Jazlin, Spencer and Taylor."
Possum was a proud New Zealander and listed fellow countrymen yachtsman the late Sir Peter Blake and cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee as his favourite sportspeople.
Childhood idols were rally heroes Ari Vatanen and Walter Rohrl.
Named Peter by his parents, he has long been known as Possum since an accident in his first car when the young driver swerved to miss a possum, then rolled down a bank while the creature escaped injury. Possum also came out of the ordeal unscathed but he had totalled his first car and earned himself a new nickname.
Possum said he wanted to be remembered for being an honest competitor.
He was New Zealand’s only full-time professional rally driver.
RIP Possum bourne :(