Most loved drivers?
Discussion
Most of you may not know but here in NZ our most famous rally driver, Possum Bourne, was critically injured last week in a road smash, while doing a reccie on the route for the GoldRush Hillclimb. 
www.racetothesky.com
Since then the family has been innundated with emails and faxes wishing him a speedy recovery. On his website there have been over 1000 posts in the last 4 days!!!!!
www.possumpwrc.com if you want to leave a message.
This got me thinking, I have NEVER heard anyone say ANYTHING bad about Possum. He would have to one of the most loved and revered driver, hell sports person in New Zealand. I swear that most of the people sepectating on Rally NZ went to see Possum rather than the WRC teams.
And he's a top notch friendly, bloke, always got time for fans, he's average joe who made it big, he's still got the ol down to earth attitude, and he SOOO enthusiastic about motorsport, loves it to bits!!!
So who would you guys say fits into the same category in other forms of motorsport, local or international.
www.racetothesky.com
Since then the family has been innundated with emails and faxes wishing him a speedy recovery. On his website there have been over 1000 posts in the last 4 days!!!!!
www.possumpwrc.com if you want to leave a message.
This got me thinking, I have NEVER heard anyone say ANYTHING bad about Possum. He would have to one of the most loved and revered driver, hell sports person in New Zealand. I swear that most of the people sepectating on Rally NZ went to see Possum rather than the WRC teams.
And he's a top notch friendly, bloke, always got time for fans, he's average joe who made it big, he's still got the ol down to earth attitude, and he SOOO enthusiastic about motorsport, loves it to bits!!!
So who would you guys say fits into the same category in other forms of motorsport, local or international.
I can agree with the above - I've never heard a bad word about PB either.
My vote would be with Derek Bell as a bloke who, aside from having done just about everything, and being voted the best Sportscar driver of the last 50 years by a panel of his peers, seems to be a genuine enthusiast.
My vote would be with Derek Bell as a bloke who, aside from having done just about everything, and being voted the best Sportscar driver of the last 50 years by a panel of his peers, seems to be a genuine enthusiast.
I don't think we Brits have that Antipodean thing of supporting drivers (or any sportsmen) that way, and not since Stirling Moss has anyone really been able to double attendance just by being on the entry list.
Derek Bell, certainly, is a good bloke, and Gerry Marshall also (still) puts a grin on the face. But the closest we've come must be Tony Pond (even if he was a 'bok) - mention him amongst those who know, and you can always see a twinkle in the eye.
Derek Bell, certainly, is a good bloke, and Gerry Marshall also (still) puts a grin on the face. But the closest we've come must be Tony Pond (even if he was a 'bok) - mention him amongst those who know, and you can always see a twinkle in the eye.
The Late Will Hoy has to be nicest guy in motorsport I'd ever spoken to in person.
He always had time to speak to the fans at all the race meetings. Specificallty recall talking to him at Thruxton in 1999 driving the Arena Laguna. I spoke to him at length about his FIA drive in the Chamberlin Viper at silverstone.
Never, ever did I hear a word said against him.
He'll be sadly missed.
He always had time to speak to the fans at all the race meetings. Specificallty recall talking to him at Thruxton in 1999 driving the Arena Laguna. I spoke to him at length about his FIA drive in the Chamberlin Viper at silverstone.
Never, ever did I hear a word said against him.
He'll be sadly missed.
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