bd 10/05/13

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Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

The Bay’s largest circulating, most read newspaper.

Friday 10 May 2013

Targa terrific

63,760 copies Hair-raising Nürburgring

LIFTOUT New name in motorcross

Horsing around Suzuki Grand Vitara

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Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

Bookings and enquiries contact Tracey Taylor on 07 578 0030 email: tracey@thesun.co.nz For editorial and news tips email: hamish@thesun.co.nz

Weekend Sun Friday 10 MayThe 2013

Bay Driver

Enduro champs on track Tauranga enduro rider Reece Burgess is being picked as one to look out for at this Saturday’s championship series event in the King Country.

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Motorcycling New Zealand enduro commissioner Shaun Prescott is predicting a top competition at the event which marks the halfway point in the 2013 Yamaha NZ Enduro Championships.

“There are lots of fantastic battles going on.

The sport is in great shape and we have had good numbers of riders entering for all the rounds thus far.”

Shaun expects this weekend’s event will be a tough one with poor conditions forecast.

“We are expecting it to be wet, cold, slippery and horrible ... but these enduro guys are tough and they love a challenge.”

The rider to beat this weekend is Auckland’s Chris Birch who has dominated the series so far with three wins from three starts.

The 32-year-old rider has been virtually untouchable since he returned this season after a two-year stint of racing and working in South Africa. But he cannot afford to relax with the title still far from secure with some talented riders breathing down his neck.

Second and third, respectively, in the outright standings are Whangamata’s Jason

Enduro rider Freddie Milford-Cottam is aiming to consolidate his lead in the under 200cc class this weekend.

Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Davis and Mokau’s defending national outright champion Adrian Smith. Both of these men will be desperate to close the gap on Birch this weekend. The under 200cc two stroke class is led by Birkenhead’s Freddie Milford-Cottam.

Saturday’s event, the fourth round in the seven-round series, is being held on remote farmland at Waimiha, near Benneydale.

The series next heads to Maramarua for round five on June 1, followed by Taupo on July 20. It wraps up near Tokoroa on September 21.

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

My first Targa rally car After throwing himself into rugby and rowing in his younger years, then golf, Keith Penny was looking for a fresh recreational outlet about seven years ago.

“It was just a change. It’s a time of life thing,” says Keith about what attracted him into motorsport. It started with a few hot laps around Pukekohe in his Ford FPV (performance vehicle) – and the rest, as they say, is history.

Keith Penny and co-driver John Cuff (Cuffy) are determined to win their category at this weekend’s three-day Targa Rotorua event in their Honda Civic Type R. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

“It’s the little boy in us all. I absolutely loved it – and after doing it a couple of times I thought long and hard with (co-driver John) Cuffy about what motorsport we were going to do.”

With two school-age daughters, Keith didn’t want a motorsport that would soak up his time with events every weekend. As result, he settled on Targa rallying as the ideal option with about three events around the country each year. Today (Friday) the pair and their crew start the three-day Targa Rotorua event, which will take competitors from Rotorua through Edgecumbe, Tokoroa, Matamata and Cambridge. It’s more than 366 km of special stages in their 1998 Honda Civic Type R – the first and only model the pair have raced since their first Targa four years ago.

When the pair decided to get involved, the 1998cc model was recommended to them as the car of choice for its performance, and because it did not need a lot of mechanical knowledge.

Friday 10 May 2013

Page 3

Keith hasn’t looked back, saying it’s a great car and many other Targa teams agree. Along with being their first and only car model since starting, the Type R dominates the lowest engine size category (under 2000cc) with about 60 per Photo: www. groundsky.co. cent of their competitors nz racing them in Rotorua.

Last year in the series, they finished first in their category (modern 2WD up to 2000cc) cars in his younger years to stints racing in all three Targa events and the pair is deterpowerboats. He also crewed for US driver mined to come away with the same result this Bruce Jenner’s TransAm team. weekend.

Keith, whose business TLC Insurance spon“That’s definitely the goal. But it’s also about sors the car, says part of the appeal of the having some fun,” says Keith, who describes Targa rally is how it brings back memories of himself as a relative newcomer to motorsport driving all over the country for work in his compared to Cuffy, who he has partnered with earlier years for all seven Targa events they have competed “The idea of testing yourself on an open road in. as fast as you can drive had a huge appeal.

“He’s become a great friend, and despite “Every road is different. It has a hidden crest, everything else he’s done, he tells me sitting in a blind corner, you just don’t know what is the seat beside me giving directions is the bigcoming up – but that’s part of the appeal,” gest thrill he has had in motorsport.” says Keith.

In contrast, he says the multi-talented Cuffy In contrast to the Rally New Zealand series, (perhaps best known for his many pie-making all stages are on tar seal but the team do not awards for Bake Shake), has been involved get to drive the roads in advance. Rather than in motorsport from racing having detailed pace notes to refer to, the comidgets and saloon driver only is given notes on major landmarks, hazards or intersections, with everything else up to the team’s assessment on the road.

“It’s a big team effort. While I drive the vehicle I’m very reliant on Cuffy giving me directions, which are usually pretty good, and our highly qualified crew who are always there helping out at the service stops.”

Keith says his unorthodox but successful support crew include Wayne Cochrane as “chief adviser and entertainer”, and “outstanding spanner throwers and panel beaters” Kurt Stovald and Nigel Alexander.

By Hamish Carter

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Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

Weekend Sun Friday 10 MayThe 2013

Bay Driver

Horses for courses

Grand Vitara all-rounder Sideline Sid got the chance to feel like a horseman again for a few fleeting moments when test-driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2WD. Always on the look-out for Western Bay venues, and people for the Bay Driver fortnightly photo shoots, we headed for the Tauranga RDA Equestrian Therapy Centre property in rural Welcome Bay.

Nestled in Welcome Bay, with some of the most beautiful estuary views in Tauranga, the volunteer-based organisation provides horse riding activities, which improve the wellbeing of the participants, both mentally and physically.

Providing therapeutic horse-related activities for children and adults with physical, mental, cognitive, social or behavioural needs, the crown in the jewel of Tauranga RDA’s Welcome Bay operations is the magnificent indoor riding arena. It came to fruition through a huge amount of fundraising support from the community and trust grants. Cancellation of riding thanks to poor weather is now just a distant memory.

Holding a horse and cleaning straws of hay from the back of the Grand Vitara, took Sideline Sid back many decades to his youth, when he regularly rode.

First impressions of the Grand Vitara, is it has a good balance between style and versatility, and D is an all-rounder equally at home 5 Door 2W r u gallivanting around town or veno F s: er Cylind turing off the beaten track. The Number of lves: Sixteen a V f o new generation Grand Vitara is a er b m e Nu ent: 2.4 litr m ce product of 40 years of design and la p is D Engine ty: 55 litres performance, combining space ci a p a C k n D Fuel Ta W 2 and practicality with a sporty r a e :R Drive System eed Automatic new design. n: 4 Sp As someone that struggles 0 Transmissio 0 ,9 $34 with mobility and getting in Price RRP: mpany Demo and out of vehicles – getting otor Co Tauranga M cial: $29,990 into the driver’s seat of the Spe y n mpa o C r Grand Vitara was a breeze. to o M auranga Firm comfortable seating Contact: T 07 578 1378 is backed up with a wide

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range of adjustments to maximise driver comfort. The outstanding feature when sitting in the driver’s hot seat is the exceptional visibility. As Graeme Hayley of Tauranga Motor Company says “there is a plenty of glass in the Vitara”, with large windows and two huge side mirrors providing all-round visibility.

On the road, the Grand Vitara has a good turn of pace, provided by the 2.4 litre petrol VVT engine which balances economy without sacrificing performance.

Featuring variable valve timing technology, for increased power and torque, it’s smooth in the city and exhilarating on the highway. A sporty shift-gate 4-speed automatic transmission is tuned for quick acceleration, which also produces a smooth, quiet ride.

Kiwis are lucky to have so much adventure and scenery so close to home, and with the Grand Vitara’s legendary off road ability, it is the perfect vehicle to get up and personal with the New Zealand outdoors.

The built-in ladder frame increases rigidity and durability without adding to the overall weight of the vehicle. The light-weight onepiece body reduces overall and floor heights, increasing cabin space despite its high ground clearance. Coupled with a fully independent suspension and rear wheel drive, the Grand Vitara is equally at home around town or on the open road.

The Grand Vitara comes with today’s expectations of high quality audio systems and features back-lit steering wheel audio controls. Cruise control, fuel consumption display, map lights and a digital trip meter are complementary aids

for long distance travel. A large consul box and a lockable glove box offer plenty of front seat storage – and a bottle holder with six bottle capacity provides available hydration on long trips.

The Grand Vitara surrounds you with peace of mind, courtesy of superior safety and built-in protection. Six airbags ensure vehicles occupants are safely cocooned – with EPS and ABS standard on all Grand Vitara models. A unique safety feature is the Brake Overide System, which is a mechanism to enable the driver to halt the vehicle if the accelerator becomes stuck.

The throttle override technology cuts power in the unlikely event of the brake and accelerator pedal being depressed at the same time.

A nifty feature is the spare wheel attached to the back of the vehicle in a solid lockable case, with the rear side opening door giving easy access to large boot space.

At a recommended retail price of $34,900, the Grand Vitara 5 Door 2WD, is outstanding value for money in the medium-priced off road market and is extremely competitive with its opposition.

STOP PRESS: During the month of May there is a demo clearance sale on Suzuki Grand Vitara 2WD automatic vehicles. At just $29,990 driveaway, the 2WD Vitaras only have delivery kilometre on the clock and come with a full three-year warranty. With limited numbers available with the special offer, a phone call today to Tauranga Motor Company is the first step in securing a just out of the box Grand Vitara at a bargain price.

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

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Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

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Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 10 May

Bay Driver

On track for Nürburgring 24 hour Faced with the choice of racing at the Hampton Downs 12 Hour or returning to Germany for the 20th consecutive Nürburgring 24 Hour Race there was only really one choice for Wayne Moore.

perfect laps. That’s the on-going challenge Wayne to join him in a team for the event because you are not alone out there, condion the gruelling Eifel Mountains circuit, he tions are changing, cars are catching you at knew little about the race. More than 20 different points … and of course there is the years on he has still got the letter and can challenge of driving at night which presents a remember how the invitation blew his head whole new dimension.” “leaving a hole the ceiling”.

As for the track itself, he agrees it is initially He remembers his first year racing in a “very hair-raising” but he loves to see new Suzuki Swift in the gruelling event, when drivers, which he has instructed on the track, deluging rain and stormy conditions get to the point of enjoyment. “But you can’t prompted the race to be stopped to clear hasten learning – obviously if you get some trees and advertising hoardings from the of these corners wrong it track. can be a pretty major “The little car had heavy steel wheels, no wakeup call. radio communication and there was more This year’s 24 hour rain washing around the driver’s feet than race is on May 19, fuel in the tank. with a contingent “No matter how many years I go to this event it has just such an enormity to it, every of 10 friends and year there is something new and exciting and family joining 250,000 spectators to watch the different.” race along the track.

Along with racking up his 20th consecuWayne, who tive year, a feat believed to be the longest for any non-German driver, he is also set to rack left on up 1000 laps on the 25.3 km track this year, with only 14 left to go.

Drivers rotate in the team, completing a maximum of three hours behind the wheel at a time, with the race Performance won by teams that cover the Performance Value greatest distance in the 24 hour period.

Space Nürburgring is the infamous race circuit that Jackie Stewart Fuel efficient labelled the Green Hell which almost claimed Niki Lauda’s life in a fiery crash in 1976 before Formula One deemed the track too dangerous and cancelled its annual race.

“The big buzz for me is achieving

“We put a budget together to do the Hampton Downs 12 hour and it was going to essentially cost as much as to go to Germany so we knew what we would rather do,” says Wayne, who will be joined by seasoned Tauranga racer Maurice O’Reilly in his four-member team competing on the iconic hair-raising circuit.

Maurice, who had previously raced single seaters in the Tasman Series, had been planning to team up with Wayne for the Hampton Downs event. Maurice and Wayne join Wanganui driver Michael Eden and Dane Niels Borum in his three litre BMW M3 190 production car, racing together as a team for the second year in the V5 class.

“It’s definitely become an addiction,” says Wayne about his love for the race which his team has won twice in their class. “We did quite well last year, but we’ve got a new engine and are hoping to go faster this year.

Value “We’ve come second or third many times and I would like to win a third time. That’s my personal goal.”

In his earlier years, Wayne’s team achieved its top placing of 18th outright competing in efficient a VW, Fuel but says the extremely high calibre of cars competing now mean they could never achieve that again.

He says the team’s production car is dwarfed by the supercars which are achieving speeds of up to 320km/h on the track, more than 60km/h above his team.

When an old German rallying friend asked

Tuesday, is excited to be returning to his “second home” with team members having their first practice runs yesterday (Thursday).

Wayne has no plans to make it his last, saying he will keep racing while he’s competitive. “But I’ve always said to the team if I start dragging the chain I will get out.”

By Hamish Carter

After 19 years racing in the hair-raising Nürburgring 24 Hour Race Wayne Moore aims to return with his third trophy this month.

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Friday 10 May 2013

Friday 10 May 2013

The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 10 May

Bay Driver

Fiesta firing for Campbell Tauranga driver Phil Campbell has continued his winning start to the rally season, winning his class at the recent Maramarua event.

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His win at Maramarua, follows on from his success at Rally Otago last month where he won his class – establishing a clear lead in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship series eight points ahead of his Christchurch rival Josh Marston.

It was Phil’s second run in his new Letts Construction Ford Fiesta R2, entering Maramarua’s non-championship event to get time behind the wheel.

Phil says he and co-driver Venita Fabbro had no pre-set expectations before the Counties round, but were pleased to consistently set top three two-wheel drive stage times across the morning to sit in second place after five of the nine special stages, despite having a smaller 1600cc engine.

An afternoon charge saw the gap between morning pace setter Grant Liston come down from 41 seconds to just 10 seconds by the end of the rally, an impressive effort at the highly specialised event.

The result saw Campbell Rally Sport team come in as the convincing winner in the 1600cc class by three and a half minutes, and second place for all two-wheel drives.

“We had a great run. We came into the event hoping to learn more about the car, and some of the damp conditions in the forest really helped with that, plus our speed was really good even though we were giving away horsepower to the front runners, so that’s a bonus.”

The team now turn their focus to the second round of the New Zealand rally championship in Whangarei on

By Hamish Carter May 17-19.

Phil Campbell is determined to build on his success in Maramarua at the upcoming Rally Whangarei. Photo by Jason Byrne

Weekend Wheels Bay of Plenty

May 10-12 The Targa Rotorua will see top rallying return to the central North Island, with racing in the three-day event covering 375km of back roads from Rotorua to Tokoroa and Cambridge.

Details: www.targa.co.nz May 12 Top karting action comes to the Western Bay when round two of the CRC Speedshow Top Half Series is hosted by Kartsport BOP at Fagan’s Valley Raceway in Te Puke. Racing follows the 9am tuning run. Details: www.bopkartclub.org or www.kartsport.org.nz May 19 Motocross action continues in the BOP Motorcycle Club’s Honda Winter series with round two at Matata’s Awakaponga MX track.

Details: www.bopmcc.co.nz To submit a motorsport event for listing, email details to: hamishcarter@thesun.co.nz at least two weeks prior to the event.

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The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 10 May

Bay Driver

Racing beyond junior motocross Move over Cody Cooper, there is a new name in Western Bay motocross to watch out for.

Many would actually say there is nothing new about Aaron Wiltshier’s success – after winning national titles in the 50cc and 65cc classes as a younger rider.

It’s just the 16-year-old’s recent success coming third in the national 125cc open class against riders more than double his age has grabbed people’s attention.

Last month Pahoia-based Aaron built on his success at the four-round Backflips MX Nationals 125cc series – narrowly missing first to claim the runner up title at the Dragon Junior Motocross Nationals on the steep Barrett Rd Motorcycle Park near New Plymouth.

Aaron won three of five races during the weekend, but was unable to recover from crashes in his first two races where he had finished sixth and fourth.

Earning 108 points, he was behind junior champion Cohen Chase’s 111 but ahead of third-placed Aaron Manning on 96 points.

Like all top sportspeople Aaron is his own harshest critic, saying he was “seriously gutted” to have missed out on his goal for the top. With the national series finished he is now turning his attention to the Honda series in Whakatane, and a goal to win the national 125cc open class next year.

“I would absolutely love to win that next year. That’s definitely my big goal.”

His father Paul recalls there has been no looking back for Aaron since he asked for his first bike at age six.

“As a youngster he decided he wanted a motorbike so we bought him a JR 50, which he managed to smash and wreck within six months.”

Upgrading bikes, joining the Taupo Motorcycle Club and receiving coaching from talented motocross star Mason Phillips in his early years, all combined to give Aaron a strong foundation in the sport.

“A lot of his skill has come from those early years with what Mason taught him.

It’s given him some great foundation skills to build on.”

After initial success, Aaron had a few seasons of injuries before returning to

form, making some “big leaps” in the last 12 months. Paul’s takes no credit for Aaron’s success, saying he and his wife are “just funding and supporting his hobby”, and its Aaron’s gritty determination that is helping him get ahead.

“He’s a pretty determined young kid and like anyone he is going there to achieve their goals and his dreams,” says Paul. “It’s about being focussed, having a goal and doing something about it.”

Paul says a key turning point came 12 months ago when Aaron, sponsored by KTM, competed at last year’s national juniors.

“He came back and felt he had needed to be a lot fitter so he has got a training programme to improve his strength and conditioning which he has worked on over the past year.

“I think its magnificent that kids aren’t sitting in front of a computer or a TV, he’s a pretty focussed kid – at the end of the day he’s got his goals and he’ll do everything he can to achieve them.”

Aaron, who was racing for his last year in the junior competition, was among the title favourites in the 15-16 years’

By Hamish Carter 125cc class.

Crossing ahead: Tauranga’s Aaron Wiltshier won three of his races in the 15-16 years’ 125cc class at the junior motocross nationals last month. Photo by Andy McGechan BikesportNZ.com

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Bay Driver