Champion Bourne set to regain Rally title

Champion Bourne set to regain Rally title

By Dwiatmanta

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): Defending champion Possum Bourne is
poised to pay tribute to his long-time partner, the late Rodger
Freeth, by winning the 1994 Indonesia Rally championship, the
first leg of the Asia Pacific championship series, which starts
tomorrow.

"I will carry on triumphing in this tough race as I did with
Rodger, although it is going to be difficult," the 38-year-old
New Zealander, who will drive a new Subaru Impreza 555, said in a
press meeting yesterday.

Bourne said he was physically and mentally ready for the
three-day race through the North Sumatra plantations.

A winning partnership with Freeth here last year was Bourne's
last sweet memory he shared with his co-driver during their six-
year liaison. An accident during the Telecom Rally of Australia,
the fourth leg of the region's annual championships, in October
last year killed Freeth and injured Bourne. He, however, bounced
back from his shocking experience to win the last stop in
Thailand with fellow New Zealander Tony Sircombe for the Asia
Pacific series title.

"It was a tragic moment for me and my team," the reigning
champion said.

"I had only few choices to pick Rodger's substitute, but I
find Tony is a reliable and experienced partner to work with,"
Bourne said of his current navigator.

The pair has made route reconnaissance five times in each
special stage within the last nine days before starting the race.
Bourne labeled the ninth special stage at Tanah Besih the
"survival one" for its twisting route. The 18.26-kilometer stage
will force drivers to travel around some small blocks of rubber.

The Subaru team will also bank on the solid teamwork of
championship debutantes Richard Burns and Robert Reid in their
title defense campaign.

Team manager John Firelli expressed guarded optimism that the
Briton Burns, who showed maturity beyond his years with four
successive victories in the British Open Rally championship last
year, deserves to take the glory here.

"I cannot wait to get behind the wheel in Indonesia," said
Burns who finished second on the last series of the six-round
Asia Pacific rally in Thailand last year.

High temperature and humidity will be the most serious
challenge for the 50 competing drivers. Bourne admitted the
climate was such a trouble that he has to drink up to at least
six liters of water to avoid dehydration.

He also said that the different terrain for the race would
pose another threat to his title defense.

"I find Kenneth Eriksson the opposing driver to watch," Bourne
said of his Swedish competitor. Eriksson will don a Mitsubishi
racing suit.

The annual event will cover a total distance of 1,137
kilometers, including 26 special stages covering 418.74
kilometers. A major change of the route have been made by the
organizers this year. "We changed 80 percent of routes we used
last year," Indrajit Sartono of the Indonesian Motor Association
said.

All 50 drivers have arrived here for the three-day race. They
will undergo scrutiny today. Minister of Tourism Joop Ave is
scheduled to wave the checkered flag tomorrow.