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That’s why each Ryman village is named after a Kiwi or Aussie trailblazer. Anthony Wilding, Lady Diana Isaac, Evelyn Page to name a few. They lived with passion and purpose, they pushed further, they went beyond the ordinary. That’s exactly what we strive to do every day at Ryman. To pioneer a new way of living, for a new retirement generation.
A legend in New Zealand motorsport history, Peter Raymond George "Possum" Bourne is considered New Zealand’s rally hero. Born in 1956, Bourne took a liking to anything with wheels from a young age.
The nickname “Possum” was given to the motorist as a youngster after an incident where he swerved and crashed his mother’s car to avoid hitting a possum on the road. Bourne’s passion for cars evolved after leaving school at the age of 15 to commence an apprenticeship as a mechanic. His ascent into motorsport, specifically rally car driving, was a natural progression after co-driving with a friend.
The risky nature of Bourne’s career combined with his down-to-earth personality resulted in a successful mix. Possum Bourne Motorsport was founded in the 80’s and rallying became his full-time occupation. His level-headedness helped the skilled driver maintain his sharp mental edge amid the high-stress motorsport environment. He quickly became a well-known name in rally car racing across New Zealand and Australia.
Bourne won the Asia-Pacific and Australian Rally Championships multiple times – a feat that no other New Zealand driver has managed. His record number of awards and accolades remains unrivalled in New Zealand motorsport history. Since his untimely death, Possum Bourne remains an icon of the motorsport industry and is remembered not only for his flair on the track but also for his infectious and endearing personality.
The autobiography Bourne to Rally was finished merely days before the driver passed away in a crash in Cardrona, Central Otago. The book brilliantly recounts the trials and tribulations faced by Bourne throughout his impressive life.
