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Talk to any Kiwi fan about rallying and it won't be long before the name Possum Bourne crops up. One of the most successful rally drivers in the southern hemisphere, Bourne's career was synonymous with Subaru from the early Eighties until his tragic death in a road accident in April 2003.

The man from the North Island drove a succession of RX Turbos, Legacys and Imprezas during his career and won three Asia-Pacific titles and seven Australian Rally Championships, all in Subarus.

As the Subaru World Rally Team prepares to visit New Zealand this weekend, one dedicated Kiwi is doing his own bit to ensure that Possum's memory lives on.

Darryl Jhinku, president and founder of the Subaru WRX STi Club in New Zealand, recently undertook a project to recreate Possum's favourite rally car, the Subaru WRC 1999. The car is more than a mock-up with some decals on it: it has been prepared as a competition car, and SWRT team chief Richard Taylor.

The Impreza made its track debut late last month at the Targa New Zealand event. Peggy Bourne, Possum's wife, made a guest appearance in the event and took the car out on a very wet track. Her presence in the car generated a lot of public interest, not least because she took the opportunity to take her two sons out on the track, one at a time. Taylor and Spencer Bourne were both left buzzing about the experience - perhaps there are two rally drivers in the making?

Darryl's car will be on display at next weekend's Rally New Zealand, which is based in Hamilton, 120kms south of Auckland.