5 Minutes With … Craig Vincent

Craig Vincent was the man who guided Possum Bourne to five of his seven Australian Rally Championship titles, but his life has changed dramatically since.

Now confined to a wheelchair, we spoke to Craig about his life sitting beside the legendary Possum, about the trip to Fiji that nearly ended his life, owning Possum’s Impreza World Rally Car, and getting the WRC back to New Zealand.

Originally published November 2, 2020.

RSM: You first came to prominence co-driving for Neil Allport at Rally NZ in 1995. What are your memories of that event and your first 'works' ride?

Craig Vincent: Taking out the gate post in stage 1 in front of all New Zealand, as Neil sat in the left seat for the first time made that fundamental mistake! Being a works car, the Escort had every spare we needed to bypass the oiler cooler and patch the right corner up to continue on. 

Unfortunately, that mistake seemed to flow through to each morning as we went off on the first stage each day. I then felt the pressure from a WRC manager as we were required to get the car home for points, as Bruno Thiry had crashed. 

It all came good and we finished behind Possum in 6th to cap off an amazing experience.

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Peter Whitten

Peter has been the editor of RallySport Magazine since its inception in 1989, in both printed and online form. He is a long-time competitor, event organiser and official, as well as working in the media. In 2020 he received a Motorsport Australia 'Media Service Award'.
Peter has been the editor of RallySport Magazine since its inception in 1989, in both printed and online form. He is a long-time competitor, event organiser and official, as well as working in the media. In 2020 he received a Motorsport Australia 'Media Service Award'.

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