General News
28 January 2004

The 2004 Silverstone Race to the Sky will be dedicated to the memory of Possum Bourne who was one of the race's greatest supporters and most popular competitors.
Possum tragically died as a result of injuries he received in a road accident on the Snow Farm Road in the Cardrona Valley the day before the event at Easter last year.

Event Promoter Grant Aitken says it is appropriate that Possum should be remembered, and the Race to the Sky has commissioned a life-size bronze statue, crafted by internationally renowned sculptor Minhal al Halabi.
Minhal who is from Golan Heights but now Queenstown based, has drawn widespread praise for his previous life-size works, including a statue of Queenstown's founder Willam Rees, which has pride of place on the resort's waterfront.

"We hope that the sculpture of Possum will be completed in time so that we can have a public unveiling during the event," says Mr Aitken. "It will be located on a key site on the Snow Farm Road so that people can easily see it. It is important for us to commemorate Possum's role and Minhal's sculpture is an ideal way for us to do so."

Mr Aitken says Possum loved to compete at the Race to the Sky and always voted it as the family's favourite event on the motorsport calendar.
A percentage of the gate takings during the two day event on April 10 and 11 will be donated to the Possum Bourne Family Education Trust.
"We want to make a contribution to Possum's young family and we're sure that the public attending the race will be happy to know that some of their admission fee will go towards the Trust."

The Race to the Sky will also present the Possum Bourne Memorial Trophy to the fastest resident New Zealand driver competing in the race.
"This will undoubtedly become a hotly sought after trophy to win," says Mr Aitken. "To win a trophy presented in Possum's memory will be a major goal for the Kiwi drivers."

Possum's wife Peggy and her three children, along with close members of the Bourne family, will be involved at the event.
Possum's sister Kristine Game says the family is looking forward to being part of it and will be offering a one-off memorial t-shirt and cap commemorating Possum.
"We felt very strongly that we wanted to do something special on the anniversary of Possum's death. This is something people can take away as a keepsake."
Subaru Japan is also participating at the Race to the Sky with a display covering Possum's racing career as a world class Subaru driver.

Mr Aitken says the focus will definitely be on Possum and the huge role he played in motorsport and in the Race to the Sky.
"He was a New Zealand motorsport icon and his name will always be closely linked with the event."
Following the Silverstone Race to the Sky, the organisers of the World Championship Rally of New Zealand, plan a charity auction for the Possum Bourne Family Education Trust.
It will be staged on April 12 at Sky City in Auckland and organiser Andrew Miller says they have had an incredible response so far.
Items from Japan, Australia and Europe have been donated and memorabilia has been sourced from Formula One and from international sportsmen such as Tiger Woods.

The 2004 Silverstone Race to the Sky is scheduled for Easter Weekend, April 10 and 11 at The Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley, close to Queenstown and Wanaka.
Gates open from 7.30am on both Easter Saturday and Sunday. Gate admission is $35 per adult, child under 14 free, Gold Pass $160