PEGGY BOURNE TO COMPETE AT SILVERSTONE RACE TO THE SKY IN MEMORY OF POSSUM
The Bourne name, which has been so integrally linked with Silverstone Race to the Sky will be showcased again at this year’s event, with the surprise announcement that Peggy Bourne will compete in the race as a personal tribute to Possum.
Possum died tragically following an accident on the Waiorau Snow Farm road on Good Friday two years ago.
Event promoter Grant Aitken says Possum was always the Race to the Sky’s most loyal supporter. “He loved the event and loved to bring his family to it. To have Peggy compete this year is very exciting for us and we know the crowds will love to see her racing in memory of Possum.”
Peggy says entering the race is the perfect way for her to celebrate Possum’s life. “Of all the events he entered, this had a special place in his heart," she says.
Peggy recently attended the Dale Perry's Rally Drive NZ rally school in the Maramarua Forest to complete her competition licence and get a better understanding of how her Subaru WRX Impreza entry would handle. "I loved it. It was an awesome experience and gave me the confidence I need to enter Race to the Sky."
Internationally renowned co-driver Mark Stacey will join Peggy in her debut performance. Peggy says she is looking forward to facing the challenge alongside Mark, who was one of Possum's co-drivers and a long-time friend.
Her support team is made up of a group of key sponsors and supporters who have been close friends of Possum, Peggy and the family.
“Winger Subaru is providing the car with additional mechanical support, McDonalds, STI (Subaru Japan's motorsport division), Subaru New Zealand, CRC, Hella, Caltex, and Flamecrusher are all involved,” she says. "I am thrilled and so appreciative of each of the sponsors' generous offers of support. I wouldn't be able to make this tribute without them.”
Peggy will also be working with Emmy award winning producer Julian Grimmond of the Mountain Film Unit, which is the Race to the Sky’s media partner, to produce a documentary of her race challenge. "When we heard Peggy was going to race we knew it would make an incredible story. The event is exciting and world renowned and this adds another dimension to it,” says Julian.
The 2005 Silverstone Race to the Sky is scheduled for Easter Weekend, March 26 and 27 at The Snow Farm in Cardrona Valley, close to Queenstown and Wanaka.
