The Weekend Sun
Bay Driver Friday 24 August 2012
Friday 24 August 2012
Rabbit runs rings around scooters When people think about classic motor scooters, Italian design icons like Lambretta and Vespa generally spring to mind. So when Merv Garrett, member of the Tauranga Classic Motorcycle Club and owner of Bay Canvas, won best scooter with a 1958 Fuji Rabbit at the National Classic Motorcycle show he really shook up the entire scooter scene. The Rabbit was built by Fuji Heavy Industries, which made aeroplane parts for the Japanese prior to World War II. Now the company is probably better known for producing Subaru cars. Merv says he was really happy to win first place out of almost 300 bikes. He also won third best Honda with a 1967 CL125a. The Honda is a semi-off road bike, designed for streets and scrambling.
Merv estimates the value of the Rabbit to be at least $6000, after spending more than $5000 restoring the scooter. “It was pretty bad when I got it,” says Merv. “Restoring old bikes is a very specialised area. I have this Rabbit and a pimped out one that is not quite finished. I’m also building a matching camper to use at the Mount around Christmas time.” Joe Szabo from Jap Motorcycles worked on the Rabbit’s mechanics and electrics and has been working with Merv on bikes for about five years A 1958 Lambretta secured second spot and a Vespa won third place. The show was held during the first weekend of August and the plan is to run one every 18 months. About $30,000 was raised for charities by event organisers the Papakura Rotary Club. By Paul Kendon
CAMRY GL 2.5L
$39,790 From $20 per day **
RAV4 LIMITED
$41,990 From $21 per day **
Friday 24 August 2012
Page 13
Reduced checks equal increased driver danger Drivers are concerned about less warrant of fitness checks proposed under vehicle licencing reforms according to a survey conducted by the Motor Trade Association. MTA marketing and communications general manager Ian Stronach says any changes to the current warrant of fitness (WoF) regime need to be carefully considered after a survey of drivers found the majority expressing some degree of concern that there could be a reduction in the number of WoF checks carried out. “A recent telephone survey of 1000 drivers, completed by the MTA, showed that 63 per cent of drivers are concerned to some degree about the possibility of fewer WoF inspections as a result of the current vehicle licensing reform process,” says Ian. The reform is a joint NZ Transport Agency and Ministry of Transport review of annual vehicle licensing (commonly known as registration), warrant of fitness/certificate of fitness and the transport services licensing systems. Its purpose is to consider opportunities to make each of the systems simpler and more efficient, without compromising safety. The telephone survey, which replicates research carried out by MTA in 1998, shows drivers increasingly feel there is about the right amount of emphasis placed on vehicle safety in general these days; 67 per cent in 2012 compared to 57 per cent in 1998. Conversely, the number feeling there is not enough emphasis fell to just 25 per cent in 2012 compared to 38 per cent in 1998. “Government needs to take into account public attitudes to the system currently in place to maintain and assure vehicle roadworthiness. We didn’t see much appetite for a change to the WoF regime. Drivers clearly feel that the system we have now works, and see the WoF regime as having an important role to play,” says Ian.