Hayden Paddon has never forgotten his roots. Now, he's extending a hand to the next generation. Spencer Bourne, son of the late New Zealand rally legend Possum Bourne, will bring the family name back to the iconic Ashley Forest Rallysprint on September 19. It's a moment 20 years in the making, since the Bourne name last graced the legendary stage in 2000.
For Paddon, this is no ordinary racing project. He has prepared a Group N-spec Subaru Impreza WRX dressed in Possum's iconic livery, complete with the numberplate 555POS. The car is more than a machine; it's a tribute to the man who inspired Paddon's career from the start. "We were lucky enough to have a couple of Possum replica WRXs added to our collection in the past year or so," Paddon said. "Possum's always been a massive inspiration to me, and he did a lot of things for our sport."
Possum Bourne was a one-brand man, exclusively in Subaru rally cars. Paddon has tried to replicate that loyalty by tying himself to Hyundai throughout his career. Now, he wants to ensure Bourne's legacy lives on while giving Spencer a chance to get more involved in rallying. "I thought this was a way to get Possum's son Spencer involved in the sport and to pay tribute to the Bourne family," he added.
Spencer is no stranger to rallying. He has dabbled as a driver and co-driver. But Ashley Forest Rallysprint is the first step towards bigger plans: competing in next year's Otago Rally. The program will include test days and driver development in the lead-up to the April event. "This isn't a one-off event," Paddon emphasised. "We're going to work with Spencer over coming months with the goal of him competing at Rally Otago next year."
Paddon is serious about his commitment. He will coach Spencer so he feels comfortable in the car and surroundings. "We'll be coaching Spencer so he's at the point where he can compete at Otago and properly enjoy it," Paddon explained. For Spencer, the opportunity came out of nowhere. He had asked Paddon for advice about the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally, and then the call came. "Mum always told me to say yes to every opportunity, so I did," Spencer recalled.
The 28-year-old admitted he has followed Paddon's career for years. "I'm a big supporter of his," he said. "He's helped me in various ways like co-driving notes for an event and advice like not putting pressure on myself this weekend." Spencer also watched his father compete in earlier Ashley Forest events. "The road hasn't changed," he said. His goals are simple: have fun and don't crash the car.
Meanwhile, Paddon himself will compete at Ashley Forest in his Hyundai i20 AP4++. He is chasing a new record up the 1.7km course. His current benchmark stands at 52 seconds. Spencer's presence on the same stage will add an emotional dimension. This is not just about times; it's about passing the torch of a legend to the next generation.
The two-day Ashley Forest Rallysprint will be a stage for two drivers with different missions: Paddon chasing a record, Spencer chasing meaning. And amid the roar of that iconic Subaru, the name Possum Bourne will echo once more, carrying the message that legends never truly leave.
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