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Friday 16 August 2013

Home on the range Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Friday 16 August 2013

Weekend Sun Friday 16 AugustThe 2013

Bay Driver

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

Home of

phone 07 578 0030 fax 07 571 1116 email ads@thesun.co.nz No.1 The Strand, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 www.sunlive.co.nz

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The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 16 August 2013

Friday 16 August 2013

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Great reception for Ariel

Growing up in Hastings, Ray Nitschke was always going to get a motorcycle. “It was one of those things you did as a young fella. Heaps of my mates had bikes and we used to ride around and have a lot of fun and do trips,” recalls Ray, 82, who for the last 29 years has lived in Te Puke. Since buying a brand new 1950 Ariel Red Hunter 500cc, aged 20, he has been a dedicated Ariel fan. “It was 256 pounds – which was quite a bit when you were only getting 8 or 10 pound a week,” recalls Ray. “I had that for two or three years before I sold it and swapped it for a car [a 1934 Morris Ten].” While Ray never did any racing, he remembers doing a respectable standing quarter mile sprint of 17 seconds, in Hastings, which he describes as “a bit of fun”.

These days all of Ray’s family are into motorcycles – with two sons, his wife and daughter regularly hit the road together for a rally. “We go as a family – we’ve got a campervan and trailer on behind, and bring the bikes back on the trailer. It’s lots of fun.” It is something he got a taste for on his original Ariel when he rode to Motueka for a few months’ tobacco picking in 1952. Before returning home he rode to Christchurch. “It was shingle all the way from Picton,” recalls Ray, who managed the one-way trip in about eight hours. With his four children grown up and more time on his hands, Ray turned his focus back to bikes after shifting to Te Puke. It was the beginning of a love for restoring classic British bikes – which has seen him work on about a dozen since; fostering a passion for fixing the old classics with son Daryl. “It’s just the pleasure of working on something and getting something going that wasn’t before.” From starting with a motor for a 500cc Ariel twin, his longest restoration took 12 years to track down all the parts and gradually build

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Ray Nitschke and one of many classic British bikes he has restored.

up. He completed his last restoration – an Ariel 350cc – back in February and he is now working on a BSA Bantam and helping Daryl restore another Ariel 350. “There is always something on the go,” says Ray, who says he still gets great pleasure out of riding all his bikes – particularly his beloved Ariels. “The Ariels are so easy to work on. A lot easier to work on than most other bikes – and because I’ve had an Ariel and that’s the way it goes. You swing in behind the things you know. Last month Ray shared runner-up prize for restoration of a non-Japanese bike in Tauranga Classic Motorcycle Club’s annual rally for his 1952 Ariel NH 350cc. By Hamish Carter

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Friday 16 August 2013

Weekend Sun Friday 16 AugustThe 2013

Bay Driver

Locked and loaded Luxury with a heart of true grit Its heritage represents a powerful icon of liberty, freedom and star-spangled patriotism. The Jeep’s genetics trace back through generations of heroics, sacrifice, and dogged determination. The yanks freed the Pacific, and the world, and a significant part of that is thanks to the original Willies Jeep that blazed tracks across the Pacific and beyond, leading the way for all four wheel drives and SUVs that followed. The modern day Jeep is a far cry from its rough and ready war-time ancestor. Yet even the swish modern 4WD carries haunting reminders of its battleground roots – and the symbolism of true American grit. It seemed a fitting salute to the heritage of Jeep for BAY DRIVER to take the latest Grand Cherokee on a mission befitting its bloodlines – for a photo session under gunfire. So locked and loaded, the DRIVER crew packed an assortment of fine American armaments and headed for the range – the loaded range that is, the clay shooting venue off Pyes Pa Rd. And as luck would have it, we met some real American gunslingers at home on the range. The top-of-the-line Jeep, the Grand Cherokee, is a world apart from its gritty little brother, the feisty, uncompromising Wrangler that carries a large dollop of the US militaryderived style. (He writes, wiping a wistful tear from the corner of an eye) These days the new generation Grand Cherokees come in a wide range of configurations, so make it your mission to check them all out at Farmer AutoVillage. Basically, the range takes you from the Laredo 2WD at $65,000, that is perfect for the troops and their gear; right up to the breathtaking SRT8 with a 6.4 Litre V8, capable of

SPECS

outrunning missiles at zero to 100km/h in five seconds. It will invade your bank account to the tune of $110,000. And it’s reviewed very well in the luxury, high performance market. The Laredo offer 3.6L petrol eight speed autos and the 3L CRD diesel. The Limited series marches out with a 3.6L, a 5.7L petrol and also the 3L diesel, which was our test vehicle, list price $85,990. Stepping up the ranks is the stylish Overland series with the same engine selection as the Limited series. And there’s options throughout the range for the Quadra-Lift air suspension.

Level of luxury

So what has changed with the new GCs? Clearly, a bit of design flair has rubbed off, with the European infiltration; Jeep under ownership with Fiat would seem to have benefitted some style influences from the Italians. But it’s nothing radical compared to the new Cherokee due here next year, which turns its back completely on the square boxy look (that some say rightly should have remained the domain of the Wrangler) with a radical style makeover. But that’s a story for another day. The GC’s new look has slim-line headlamps leading the way, although there’s no escaping the iconic seven slot grille up front. It has indicator lights on the outside of the wing mirrors; optional air suspension; re-tailored rear, including shapely lights; a fin aerial and larger spoiler. The level of luxury seems to never end. After two days with this remarkable vehicle, we were still making little discoveries. The automatic opening and closing rear hatch. Little LED lights everywhere – shining down from the wing mirrors, in the internal door handles – you name it. All the usual features you’d expect are there, and more. We particularly liked the huge 8.4-inch multi-view display, which automatically flicked into massive rear view backing display. The climate controls are outstanding, even the mirrors and

Limited Jeep Grand Cherokee

steering wheel are heated. The rear passengers get their own air controls on the lower centre console. I loved the single stick wiper/indicator/lights control. Jeep has packed a lot into one lever. It took me a while to discover all its secrets, but once revealed, it was a joy to use and very intuitive. The GC doesn’t seem a big vehicle from the outside. I was concerned, at first glance, that it looked from the outside to be more mid-sized. However, once the rear hatch is opened, this Jeep becomes the tardis – the space opens up before your eyes. Now for the advances under the hood. The eight speed auto is an absolute delight. Always in the right gear to make use of the torquey CRD three litre, the GC feels firm, sure and determined. Behind the wheel, it impresses like a sporty little crossover, rather than one of the biggest SUVs on the market. Surprisingly nippy for its size, the Jeep would not feel intimidating to a driver of any stature. It handles quite nimble, yet sure-footed at the same time.

Eight speed auto

The ride is incredibly smooth and quiet. There’s a lot of gear changing going on, all quite seamlessly, but it’s noticeable that eight speeds means there’s plenty of action behind the scenes. I liked the way it oozed down through the gears almost inappreciably, on hill descents, so it was ready and willing in the perfect gear for acceleration on the up-hills. Motorists in the Western Bay will have noticed the current genocide of passing lanes happening, and discerning drivers appreciate the value of a vehicle that is a capable of decisive and confident overtaking. There is one scientific word to describe the overtaking ability of the 3L/8 gear combo: Woosh. It’s smooth, sure, safe and almost surgical in its delivery of power and control. The sure-footed Jeep is ably assisted with the 20 inch wheels and we simply drooled over the 265/50 R20s underfoot.

Arriving at the shooting range, the Americans were suitably impressed with the new Jeep. As the DRIVER team gushed about American-made, the shooters from South Carolina cast doubt on whether anything these days was made at home any more.

Born in the USA

I assured them, Jeeps still roll off the production line in Detroit, Michigan. They were pleasantly surprised, then admitted they didn’t know much about Jeep. They drove Hondas. Typical, it takes the Kiwis to show them the benefits of their own concepts. Next they’ll be expecting us to show them how to sail… So even with its townie tyres on, we let the Jeep loose on the hilly terrain of the Loaded shooting range. We were awestruck at the 4WD competence of the Grand Cherokee. It switched from luxury highway cruiser to all-terrain monster with the flick of a dial. Choosing from mud, rocks, sand or snow, there’s also a hill-descent mode and a low ratio to select from. We gave the Jeep a workout over the bush tracks and steep farmland of the Loaded range, and came away with grins as wide as the South Carolina Plains. Hell, even the Americans looked impressed! As our US friends settled into their work, and the shotguns blasted overhead, we switched the magnificent beast back to townie mode, turned for the highway, and our ‘transformer’ assumed the role of elegant road car again. This is a vehicle that really makes travel a pleasure. From the smooth power, the feeling of safety and sure-footedness is backed up in reality, with active full-time 4WD, electronic stability control and trailer sway control; and a solidity and soundness that is American and proud of it. Dang, I want one. Thanks to the team at Farmer AutoVillage for the driving privilege and to Blackie and the guys at Loaded for the photo “shoot” venue. By Brian Rogers.

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The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 16 August 2013

Friday 16 August 2013

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116 Hewletts Road Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

Friday 16 August 2013

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Friday 16 August 2013

Weekend Sun Friday 16 AugustThe 2013

Bay Driver

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Friday 16 August 2013

BMW bumper sales

Increased sales of BMW X5s have contributed to continuing growth in record sales for the premium car brand.

Latest registration figures show BMW sales continue to grow, with the brand extending its lead of the premium car sector. Motor Industry Association registration data shows sales of new BMWs for the year to August has reached 1196, up 22.5 per cent compared to the same time last year. New MINI sales are also running at record levels, with 42 new cars registered in the month, contributing to a total of 290 in the year to date, an increase of 15.5 per cent during the same time last year. BMW New Zealand managing director Nina Englert says the BMW and MINI line ups “have never been more attractive” than they are now, offering enhanced practicality and functionality, and above all, greater

desirability than ever before. “We have worked hard to build sales momentum through introducing specification-rich new models with increased power and performance as well as enhanced fuel efficiency and sustainability measures, so it’s no wonder an increasing number of Kiwi motorists are welcoming a new BMW or MINI into their household.” The national sales surge follows global growth in the brand’s sales which saw worldwide sales grow by 8.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2013 with sales of 422,844 units. Nina says despite the continuing growth in sales the company will not be resting on its laurels. “We know we still have a lot of work to do to round out 2013, so we’re firmly focused on doing the best we can, month to month.”

Coombes Johnston BMW

Weekend Sun Friday 16 AugustThe 2013

Warrant changes welcomed The Automobile Association has welcomed the Government’s decision to change the Warrant of Fitness regime, with the first of a two-stage overhaul taking place from January. In the first stage, light vehicles first registered between 2004 and 2008 will only need to have an annual – rather than a six-monthly – inspection. From July 2014 this will be extended to include all light vehicles first registered since January 2000. From January, cars less than three years old will not need a warrant at all, while cars first registered between 2004 and 2008 (anywhere in the world) will only require one warrant inspection every year. Currently, cars, motorcycles, caravans and trailers older than six years require a new warrant every six months. AA Motoring Services general manager Stella Stocks says the AA supports the phased approach to changing the system, which is expected to save motorists at least $160 million each year. “The phasing in of the changes to the Warrant of Fitness system allows the industry to adjust and also ensures that motorists will have ample time to understand what it will mean to them,” says Stella. AA Motoring Policy principal adviser Mark Stockdale says reducing the frequency of warrants of fitness checks brings New Zealand closer to international best practice. “The six-monthly inspection regime has no measurable impact on the number of crashes and has not kept pace with improvements in vehicle technology, reliability and safety.” But Mark says items, including brakes, tyres and lights, should be regularly monitored by owners and immediately repaired or replaced if there is any fault.

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Weekend Wheels August 18: Dual sprints challenge Motorsport Bay of Plenty is joining forces with Hamilton Car Club for dual sprints at Hampton Downs in the second round of the club’s track challenge. Details: www.mbop.org.nz August 18: Matata moto BOP Motorcycle Club’s Honda MX Series continues at Awakaponga MX track near Matata. Details: www. bopmcc.co.nz August 24: Alfas on track Bay of Plenty members of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club are putting on a non-competitive day at the Taupo track to give classic Italian car owners a chance to put their cars through their paces. For details go to: www.arocnz.org.nz or call entry coordinator Bruce Harrison on 07 576 6737. August 31 –September 1: V8 SuperTourers The final round of the V8 SuperTourers’ sprint race programme will be held at Taupo, offering a chance to see some of the country’s top drivers in the country’s fastest V8 touring cars. Details: www.v8st.co.nz

Beyond the Bay

August 17: Extreme north The Paihia rally, also known as the ‘Rally of the North’, will be the fourth event in the Rally Extreme series, with 180km of competitive stages around Paihia. 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 Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 16 August 2013

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The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 16 August

Bay Driver

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 16 August 2013

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Appraised Used Vehicles

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Friday 16 August 2013

The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 16 August

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116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz

Bay Driver

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Bay Driver Friday 16 August 2013

Friday 16 August 2013

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Friday 16 August 2013

The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 16 August

Bay Driver

Taking on the Aussies Mount Maunganui car-lover Pete Stevenson got his first taste of high octane adrenalin when he started racing karts at the age of 12. Pete was soon hooked on the thrill of the track, and from cutting his teeth on karts has gone on to graduate through motorsport’s grades and classes. Last year he turned his attention to historic muscle cars after importing a 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350, a car he admits to having “always wanted”. “They are a true historic class that are just like they were when they were raced 30 or 40 years ago. Aside from using modern componentry, everything is just how they were.” Together with fellow Tauranga enthusiasts Dale Mathers and Kevin Gimblett, Pete has just returned from Queensland where an eight-car contingent of Kiwis took on Australia’s best historic muscle car enthusiasts. While Australian drivers have twice competed on the circuit here at the New Zealand

Festival of Motor Racing, it was the first time for all the Kiwi drivers to compete on their turf. “It was great, there were about 30 muscle cars on the grid and it was pretty good racing. We don’t like those Australians beating us.” After shipping their cars to Queensland the drivers made the most of the opportunity – first racing at an event at Queensland Raceway in Ipswich that the Australians dominated, before returning almost a month later for a showdown at Lakeside International Raceway at Pine Rivers 30km north of Brisbane. The Kiwis turned the tables at Lakeside, dominating the event with the help of Dale, who won three of his events. “They race on these tracks hundreds of times, so for us to get there and just go first off was pretty daunting.” Pete is happy with his performance, which saw him finish consistently in the top 10 while avoiding any damage. “We didn’t want to ruin their national championships by ‘taking one of them out’, so I was pretty happy. After all, we were there more for a guest

Mount Maunganui historic muscle car lover Pete Stevenson with his 1966 Mustang GT 350, which he recently raced in Queensland. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

appearance, but it was still pretty full on racing.” Dale plays down his success, saying it was as much about luck and being experienced racing in the wet. Along with the fun of the racing, Pete says another highlight was the chance to rub shoulders with some of icons of the Australian racing scene, including Jimmy Richards and Fred Gibson. “The camaraderie thing is a big appeal,” says

Pete about what motivated him to get into historic muscle cars. “There is no championship. Winning is not all that important when you get out on the track, it’s just about having fun. It’s just a great bunch of people.” The six-event season kicks off next month at Hampton Downs, but Pete says the annual big event is the historic classic meeting held during two weekends in January at Hampton Downs. Last year, he finished in the top six in his first season – saying he was happy with his success in his first time racing “a left hook”. By Hamish Carter

Racing track - karting to muscle cars After getting into speedway when his family was young, Pete Stevenson and his two sons then pursued kart racing – which his two boys competed in at national level for about 10 years. Pete and his youngest son Andrew then turned their attention to the pre-1965s championship which they campaigned in separate Anglia cars, going on to win

116 Hewletts Road Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

the championship outright twice. “We finished the last season [2008] running the Anglia’s first and second – it was the first time it had been with a father son. It was great.” Pete then shifted his focus to building up a pre-1965 Falcon, which he raced competitively for four seasons before bringing out his Mustang from the US.

Since receiving his 1966 GT 350 Mustang, which is just under 500 horsepower with a maximum speed of 260km/h, Pete has given it a birthday present, including changing the suspension geometry and giving it a new roll cage. “It had been a race car since 1980 – it was a little tired even though it had good bones, so I just applied all the stuff I knew to it.”

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 16 August 2013

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Friday 16 August 2013

The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 16 August

Bay Driver

Butcher to Studebaker When Jack Hoven arrived in New Zealand in 1954 he couldn’t believe his eyes. All around him were classic old cars which had long since disappeared from the streets of Holland. “After the war there were no old cars left in Holland. The Germans took everything that was made of metal, everything disappeared,” recalls Jack, who soon bought the first of many Studebakers he has restored. “I came to New Zealand in 1954 and people were still using old cars – people were still driving Model T's and Model A’s – and you could pick them up fairly cheap. The first car I bought was 15 pounds. I dragged it out of an orchard and made it go.” These days he only has seven Studebakers in a garage the size of his house, down from a peak of nine. “But occasionally I run out of money then I sell another car,” says Jack in his distinct Dutch accent, with a laugh. Taking pride of place in his collection is his first Studebaker, a 1923 Light Six Tourer, which he describes as still one of his favourites. Like all the Studebakers in his garage, it has been lovingly restored with the help of friends and professionals. The former butcher says, during the years, he has relied on help from many others to help with his restorations, admitting

he is not overly mechanically minded – something his three sons joke about. “They say don’t touch the cars dad – you’re just a butcher. I farm out the work and get a lot of help from other vintage car club members. “I’ve restored cars from the chassis up and I just farm it out – I go and see people and say can someone fix an oil seal. A friend of mind is a car painter so he has helped paint most of the cars. With the help of a lot of friends I’ve managed to restore most of them.” Looking around the garage his love for the car is underlined with the many T shirts, badges and assorted memorabilia from clubs and rallies – much of which has been given to him by Studebaker fans visiting from overseas. For Jack, now 84, the appeal of the Studebaker started as a boy. “I got my driver’s licence in Holland in a Studebaker – so that was special. But I was always fascinated by them because the shape was different. They really were quite impressive. “Even as a little boy I would get excited when I saw them. A man in our street had a brand new 1937 model – it was quite a sleek shape. I was just over-awed by it.” He now has a 1937 in his collection – alongside his assorted touring cars – and a van that he has painted up in the Hoven Delicatessen livery, a shop he previously had in Devonport Rd. Such is Jack’s passion for his Studebakers, he wrote an “auto biography” about them 25 years ago with the name ‘Rosie Studebaker’ which has since sold almost By Hamish Carter 3500 copies.

Jack Hoven, 84, who has restored about a dozen Studebakers during the years – still loves the thrill of driving his classic cars. Photo by Bruce Barnard

Subaru’s Whakapapa ski pass After an early start to drive to the mountain for a day’s skiing few things are more frustrating than the struggle to find a good car park. All snowboarders and skiers know the frustration of only being able to find the farthest car park, leaving your family to trudge what seems like miles in your awkward boots with all your heavy gear. You can already imagine the annoyed grumbles coming from the children. This weekend 200 Subaru drivers won’t have to worry about this at Whakapapa with

the top 200 car parks reserved exclusively for Subaru-badged cars. Subaru New Zealand managing director Wallis Dumper says the brand’s all-wheel drive technology has seen the brand being used as Mt Ruapehu’s vehicle supplier for more than 10 years. “Subaru’s constant all-wheel drive is ideal for the snow and icy conditions encountered in the central North Island, and any other alpine areas, at this time of the year.” If weather is unfavourable for skiing or snowboarding this weekend, the Subaru promotion will be postponed to August 24-25. For more details: www.subaru.co.nz/ruapehu-alpine-lifts

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Bay Driver Friday 16 August 2013

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The Western Bay will have a strong presence in New Zealand’s Motocross of Nations team to compete at the international showdown next month, with Cody Cooper and Rhys Carter making up two of three riders in the national team. The two Mount Maunganui riders will be joined by Kayne Lamont at the event – which is described as the “Olympic Games of motocross” – while former Grand Prix star Josh Coppins will be sharing his experience as team manager. It will be Rhys’ first time riding at the Germany event, where both others have competed before. But Rhys’ recent performances in Australia show he should cope well with the fierce contest. Josh is excited to be team manager for the first time and says he is pleased

with the calibre of riders he had to help choose from. “It will be a first for Rhys to ride this event, and it is a huge undertaking, but we will be calling on the experienced Cody to step up and make another huge effort as our lead rider. These three riders are currently racing in Australia and they are extremely fit.” Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Bryan Davidson is confident the New Zealand team would acquit itself well at the event near Leipzig on September 29. Last year’s team of Cody, Kayne and Josh finished with a ranking of 15th overall out of more than 30 countries competing.

Cody Cooper (pictured) and Rhys Carter will ride for New Zealand at the Motocross of Nations event in Germany in September. Photo by Andy McGechan, www.bikesportnz.com

Homemade car mods competition Talk to anyone who is passionate about their car and chances are they will tell you they do all their work themselves and modify their vehicle to their exact needs.

What have you done to your car? Bay Driver would love to hear about any home fix-it car modifications you or your mates have made, or even ‘interesting’ mods you have snapped. Email in photos and details about the car adjustments. The two wackiest or

best mods will win Meguiars Car Care Packs. Looking for inspiration? Here are some of the world’s worst car spoilers: www. oddee.com/item_98633.aspx To enter, email your photos and details to: hamishcarter@thesun.co.nz

The 2013 Weekend Sun Friday 16 August

Bay Driver

Canterbury rally debut success Tauranga’s Phil Campbell has extended his lead in the national 2WD rally series, thanks to another top round at the Canterbury Rally on Saturday. After a see-saw battle with rival Josh Marston in the series’ early rounds, Phil built on his success at Manawatu’s Daybreaker Rally where he won the round by nine points, by beating Josh again by four points in Canterbury to give him an 11-point series lead. Both drivers compete in exactly the same, new ‘R2’ specification Ford Fiestas, while fellow Tauranga driver Dave Holder – who finished behind Josh earning 15 points for the round and retaining third place in the series – is racing the earlier Fiesta model. “It’s a good place to be after winning the last two rallies in a row. We’re feeling pretty good going into the last two rounds,” says Phil. He was happy to see that Josh’s home-town advantage was no help, despite it being Phil and co-driver Venita Fabbro’s first time at the event. “They were really good roads, but they were pretty slippery in the forest with lots of pine needles.” With two rounds left Phil is he’s not getting

ahead of himself, saying it was a very tough event – with them only finishing 2.5 seconds ahead of Josh after 143km. The series continues in South Auckland with Rally New Zealand on September 7, before concluding in Wairarapa on October 5. Meanwhile, Timaru’s Chris West was quick to say he and co-driver Chris Cobham, were “very lucky” to win the Canterbury round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championships (4WD), after defending title champions Masterton’s Richard and Sara Mason. This pair had been leading until the final few kilometres when they had to change a disintegrated, front left tyre. The forced stop saw the following four cars sneak up into position, earning the Timaru pair 30 points to take third place in the series on 77 points, ahead of the Mason’s whose disintegrated tyre cost them dearly with only four points for the round (taking them to fourth place in the series with 66 points). Second place in the rally was taken by Nelson’s Ben Hunt, earning him 21 points to sneak one point ahead of previous series leader Hayden Paddon. Despite not competing in the series for the last two rounds, Hayden’s dominance of the Otago and Whangarei rallies, where he took 44 points both times, allows him to hold second place in the series with 88 points. By Hamish Carter

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