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Friday 8 November 2013

Like the classic Georgie Pie which Kierynn Hughes from McDonald’s is reacquainting customers with, the Mitsubishi Mirage was so good it had to return.

Photo by Bruce Barnard.

New Mitsubishi Mirage The bite-sized treat that had to come back!

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Friday 8 November 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

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Weekend Sun Friday 8 NovemberThe 2013

Bay Driver

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Bay Driver Friday 8 November 2013

Friday 8 November 2013

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Keeping cool in the heat Weekend Wheels Bay of Plenty November 16: Baypark Speedway – La-Z-Boy Saloon Car Series round two, and Bay Champs Stock and Mini Stock races.

Autospark owner Dave Yardley recommends fixing car air conditioning problems now. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Auto electrician Dave Yardley has a gift for reading the future. He knows the weather will warm up – and he knows some people will have terrible, holiday road trips. Even worse, Dave knows those who don’t do anything about fixing their car air conditioning, until just before they go away, will probably have more troubles. “Don’t leave it to the last minute, because we will almost definitely be booked up,” says Dave, who is once again highlighting his gift of reading the future. Hot weather, cool cars, happy drivers and passengers – it’s a formula he has seen work for more than 25 years while running his own auto electrical and mechanical workshops. Four years since

establishing Autospark at 177 11th Ave, the business’ reputation speaks for itself with lots of happy customers. Dave, together with qualified mechanic Matt Nottle and automotive technician Tim McGregor, provides all automotive repairs and servicing you could want from warrants to cambelts – through to any electrical issues, from wiring or airbag faults, to brakes, steering and suspension problems. “So we can also help you with any mechanical repairs or servicing. We’ve also got the latest pro-cut brake lathe, so we can machine disc rotors on cars.” Dave says a typical air conditioning system will work well for four-six years before problems cause it to gradually lose efficiency. Problems can vary from a lack of refrigerant gas to a mechanical fault, or an electrical problem – all of which require an expert’s help to fix. By Hamish Carter

November 17: Extreme Automotive Parts BOP’s All USA Day at the Wharepai Domain. Cars $5, public $2 and families $5. Cars enter from 8am, public from 10am, with prize giving at 2pm. All cars of US origin welcome. Details: dcoombes@clear.net.nz November 30: Baypark Speedway – Super Stock teams race, and final round of the La-Z-Boy Saloon Car Series.

Beyond the Bay November 17: Thunder in the Park at Pukekohe. The big annual motorsport extravaganza is on again, offering something for every taste – including round one of the NZV8 Touring Cars competition, the historic V8 Muscle Cars and much more. Details: www.thunderinthepark.com November 30: Ford Muscle Car Club’s drag racing day at Meremere. Details: www.fordmusclecars.org.nz or call Barry Gordon on 027 2010428.

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Friday 8 November 2013

Weekend Sun Friday 8 NovemberThe 2013

Bay Driver

’80s classic revival The Mirage returns

‘Star Wars’ and ‘Grease’ were distracting us on the big screen, while John Rowles and Sharon O’Neill were playing on the radio. The All Blacks had delighted the country with the team’s first British grand slam, but New Zealand’s motorists were still suffering from the late 1970s oil shock and the Muldoon Government’s carless days.

It was against this background that Mitsubishi made a smart play for the new fuel conscious driver in 1978 with the release of the Mirage – a highly popular model selling 51,000 units during the next 25 years in New Zealand. While much from the 1980s and 1990s has long since fallen off our radars (who remembers Milli Vanilli?), fuel economy has returned to the fore – further justifying Mitsubishi’s re-launch of the new economical Mirage.

Smart engineering

A few tweaks with smart engineering have increased its fuel efficiency, with the drain on power cut by limiting the alternator’s use to when the battery is low; and powering the electric steering system from an independent electric motor. Along with the Mirage’s aeroS .2P GL 1 dynamic design, the engineering e g a r i hi M tweaks give the vehicle an envious Mitsubis fuel consumption of 4.6 litres per c petrol e iv M C DOH L m 100km – a level unrivalled by its .2 rp 1 : 0 e 0 @ 60 Engin competitors in the sub-compact er: 58Kw @ 4000 rpm w o p x a M km 02Nm 1 0 : market (with the Kia Picanto 0 e 1 u s/ q r e er, Max to mption: 4.9 litr ting; driv heel closest at 5.3 litres/100 km, ra su ty n fe o c sa l w e Fu fourNCAP s; A g followed by Suzuki Splash’s 5.7 r a a b st ir a 5 s. rtain Safety: litres/100 km, Suzuki Swift’s de and cu martbrake system si r, e g n e pass and S C s. S 6.2 litres/100 km, then Nissan st A o , c D d ABS, EB ,990 plus on-roa i, Micra on 6.6 litres/100 km). 1 h 2 . is $ 9 b 3 : Price ity Mitsu a. Ph 07 578 00 Mitsubishi calculates that C y a B Contact: ron Rd, Taurang at $2.12 per litre – it will e m a 140 C translate to $220 to $540 in annual savings for a driver

SPECS

covering 15,000 km per year. Small fries you might say, but Mitsubishi knows the subcompact market places a high emphasis on value – one reason they have squeezed so much into the revamped hatch. But, beyond fuel economy, does it offer much more than the Colt it replaces? Bay City Mitsubishi salesman Aaron Mather says with the Colt being one of their top-sellers the Mirage had a lot to live up to. But he’s more than happy with its offering, saying it definitely gives more for your money in its smartly-styled modern package. “The Colt was really popular with a lot of younger women and with retired people,” says Aaron, who also lists small families among common users. They are all markets, he believes, and the Mirage is continuing to appeal to with its good looks, practicality and fuel economy. “The Mirage styling is getting a lot of attention from young woman. “The colours, the fog lights and the alloys – it all gives the Mirage an appealing modern look.”

Spacious

Buckled in, the Mirage offers comfortable seating with more than enough legroom. The clever design ensures you do not get the confined sense that comes with a ride in some subcompacts. Driving off the Cameron Rd lot, I’m soon away in the traffic flow through central Tauranga – smoothly and seamlessly. The car motors along just nicely through busy urban streets. With only a 1.2 litre engine under the hood, it’s the smallest in its class. But this does not present any challenges

in lower speed zones, with the Mirage’s light body weight giving it a similar power-toweight ratio to its competitors. The Mirage is an easy car to drive around town with its electric steering, tight turning circle – perfect for annoying supermarket carpark spaces – as well as good driver visibility Go beyond the city boundary and the Mirage shows its limitations on the openroad. It travels fine at 100kmh but – as you would expect – is a bit sluggish when you want a quick power boost. Overall, the car is what it is – designed primarily for short trips around town. So unless you are planning regular long-distance trips, this is not really an issue. But then, if you head off on a road trip, you could make the most of the Mirage’s relatively generous boot space (with the standard 235 litres expanding to 599 litres when the split-folding back seats are down). Safety is also a priority, with the Mirage coming standard with active stability control, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, along with six airbags. Special touches, which add to driver convenience, are the Mirage’s Bluetooth hands-free phone functionality with steering wheel controls, along with hill-start assist. If you want a car that will wow you, then the Mirage – like its other subcompact competitors – is unlikely to get you too excited. The true appeal of the Mirage is its no-nonsense offering as a value-for-money, safe, economical and comfortable hatchback. What more could you want in a subcompact? By Hamish Carter

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Bay Driver Friday 8 November 2013

Friday 8 November 2013

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Weekend Sun Friday 8 NovemberThe 2013

Bay Driver

Classic cruiser one of a kind After a series of classic car restorations, Paul Gibson decided last year it was time to take a break from the workshop.

The Papamoa farmer and long-standing hot rodding enthusiast had just completed restoring his wife Ngaire’s 1946 Ford Coupe – a smart match to Paul’s 1947 model he still owns from buying it during his teens. “He went off to the US looking for a hot rod to bring home,” recalls Ngaire, about Paul’s trip to the States last September. “He was looking for something different, but he hadn’t been interested in anything he saw.” While the cars may have been appealing, Paul was being ruthless in his assessment to ensure whatever he bought would be allowed into New Zealand, scratching off cars with any hint of rust. Back home, son Scott was doing his own research and saw a 1941 Oldsmobile Hydramatic coupe. An inspection was arranged with the car’s owner in Oakhurst, California, and it was “love at first sight”. “It’s the uniqueness of it. It’s very different to anything else,” says Ngaire, who along with Paul, loves the great feedback they get on the

car whenever it’s displayed. It’s not just the public who love the two-tonne coupe’s sleek lines and luxurious feel, but also the judges – with it collecting five awards since work was finished on it early this year. When the Gibsons registered the V8, the New Zealand Transport Agency told them it is the only one its kind in the country. The Oldsmobile was among head-turners on show at the recent Wheels on Mainstreet, where Ngaire says almost every second person told her how stunning the car is. “Almost everyone described it like that and we agree.” The car’s previous owner, Joe Mahle, had lovingly brought it back to prime condition in a long-term project after buying the classic in 1988, recording all of the car’s work and details in a scrapbook the Gibson’s now have. “It’s very

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interesting to read about its earlier history, he’s kept details on everything.” Among the items is a brochure from when the car was launched, declaring the benefits of the Hydra-matic system – the first automatic transmission system – so drivers didn’t have to worry about the clutch. With the work that Joe had done there was little left for Paul to do – aside from jumping through hoops to get the Oldsmobile certified roadworthy. “There wasn’t really a lot that needed to be done – the hardest part was getting everything done for all the paperwork.” Installing seat belts, new brakes, a high stop brake light and changing the car’s spindles were the main jobs needing to be done – allowing the Gibsons to hit the road in late summer. “We’ve been lots of places already around the North Island. We try

to get it out every weekend and take it for a cruise,” says Ngaire, following their-long held philosophy there is no point keeping classic cars wrapped in cotton wool in the garage. While Paul relishes being able to enjoy the car without a lot of work, he’s hardly been taking it easy since completing the restoration of Ngaire’s Ford Coupe. After finishing certification work on the Oldsmobile, his attention turned to a new project – the rebuilding of a 1948 Mercury convertible, which is now almost complete with only mags, upholstery and a paint-job remaining. Once the convertible’s finished, Paul already has his next project lined up, with a tired 1937 Cabriolet waiting for his attention.

By Hamish Carter

Papamoa’s Paul Gibson loves the unique character of his 1941 Hydra-matic Oldsmobile. Photos by Bruce Barnard.

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Bay Driver Friday 8 November 2013

Friday 8 November 2013

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Friday 8 November 2013

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

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Friday 8 November 2013

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Bay Driver

Te Puke’s Logan Blackburn is determined to dominate the 125cc motocross class this season, after getting off to a good start at Taupo. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Aiming for a clean sweep Following a frustrating national season last summer, Te Puke rider Logan Blackburn is determined to leave his mark on the New Zealand Motocross Championships this year. The 19-year-old is excited about the season ahead after already making his competitors take notice at the big annual Labour Weekend Motocross Extravaganza at Taupo, where he comfortably won the senior 125cc class with a 1-1-2 score-line. “It was a great way to kick the season off,” says Logan, who has a talent that has secured him sponsorship for motocross riding since leaving Tauranga Boys’ College two years ago. Logan knows he is living the dream as a professional rider, after falling under the spell of motocross at age four. And he says his disappointment at being “pipped at the post” in last year’s championships has made him more determined to succeed this season. Earlier this year he finished runner-up in the 125cc class, missing out on the title by just one point. “It was pretty disappointing after going well all season,” recalls Logan, who says the frustration continued during winter while competing in the Under 19 division of Australia’s Monster Energy MX Nationals – where a series of problems saw him finish ninth.

But Logan has returned to the Western Bay fired up with the ambitious goal of making a clean sweep of the major competitions this year. He lists another highlight in his short career as winning his class in the 2012 Woodville Grand Prix. But with the goal of competing at the top of motocross competition in Europe and the US, its clear there will probably be many more highlights to come. To achieve his goals, Logan puts a major emphasis on physical fitness, saying on top of good technical riding skills fitness is the biggest key to success. He works on his bike fitness riding about four times a week and on physical fitness almost every day. “Every time I get on that bike it’s very exciting. I could be riding anywhere – even the most boring place and I still love it,” says Logan. Meanwhile, Logan’s fellow Bay of Plenty riders left their mark on the Waikato championships in the weekend, with Cody Cooper and Ben Townley winning the MX1 and MX2 competitions, while Tauranga’s Evan Hawkless, 16, finished third in 250cc 14-16-year-old By Hamish Carter competition.

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Friday 8 November 2013

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Burnout season beckons Andi After supporting her partner on the drag strip’s sideline for years, this weekend Andi Whitley will swap places with Craig ‘Fingerz’ Mullans when she takes over the steering wheel in her first drag competition at the revamped Meremere track. Andi, who describes herself as a speed freak, has had to make do with a little ‘grudge’ racing against other cars at the end of drag meets. Saying the informal racing had given her the bug, Andi was keen to take over the wheel of the Nitro Ape – a famed 1932 Austin Bantam Roadster – which has been turning heads since its 1962 drag debut in the US. “It’s about pushing the limits and going as fast as you can go,” says Andi, about the appeal of racing. “I’m very excited. It has been awesome supporting Craig and helping on the car, but it has also been quite frustrating too. You want to get out there amongst it, in all the action.” Until now, Andi has had to make do with informal ‘grudge racing’ against other drivers at the track following competitions. Now she’s looking forward to competing seriously for the first time in the

opening round of the Fram Autolite Dragway Competition Series. Along with needing to get her drag racing licence on Saturday – by showing racing officials she can handle the car safely from burnout and launch to a full track pass – Andi will also be getting used to a new car. Until now, Andi has only raced their Topolino dragster, not the Ape Graig and her brought to New Zealand two years ago. Craig, who recently raced in Queensland as part of New Zealand’s ‘black slicks’ drag team’s trans-Tasman challenge, is more than happy with his result last season, which saw him finish second in NZDRA’s top-alcohol class. This year he’d planned to put the Nitro Ape’s Chev 406 smallbore engine and transmission into the Topolino for Andi to race, then fit the Ape with a 2500 horsepower engine. But with the Ape’s upgrade blocked by regulations, Craig is looking at other options, and is getting his high octane fix as Andi’s crew chief. “The biggest thing for me is to get as much seat time as I can,” says Andi. “I just want to get out and drive it as much as I can and get a feel for the car. I know there is going to be a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to it.” After spending lots of time trackside at Meremere when she was growing up, Andi is excited

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Self-described speed freak Andi Whitley is looking forward to launching into her first drag racing competition this weekend in the Nitro Ape. Photo by Bruce Barnard. about being able to push the speed limits on the track which has been rebuilt during winter. “Because it’s built on a swamp, every seven to 10 years it starts to move – so they need to redo the track and they’ve just done that. It’s all smooth and straight, they’ve taken all the bumps out of it, so

it’s brand new again – it’s going to be great to be able to race on it when it’s like that.” Andi will join a few other woman drag racers on the scene, including New Zealand’s fastest woman driver Karen Raggett (nee Hay), who is also based in Tauranga. “She is always pushing the limits

with her racing, and we are looking at making our mark too,” says Andi, who is aiming to get her name in the record book as New Zealand’s first women to race a nitro-methane-fuelled car. “I need to do some more research, but I’m pretty sure no woman has done that yet.”

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Friday 8 November 2013

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