Bay Driver 16 January 2015

Inside this issue

Friday 16 January 2015

Magnificent Mazda2

See page 4

umg.co.nz

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Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

Weekend Wheels www.baydriver.co.nz Advertising bookings and enquiries contact Lucy Pattison on 07 578 0030 email: lucy@thesun.co.nz For editorial and news tips email: hamish@thesun.co.nz

Home of

phone 07 578 0030

No.1 The Strand, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140

www.sunlive.co.nz

Bay events:

January 17-18: Drifting showdown at Baypark Round three of D1NZ national drift series will see the Bay’s top drivers go headto-head with the best from around the country at a temporary track set-up at ASB Baypark’s pits area. Entry on Saturday from 10.30am and 9.30am Sundays. The event also includes a display by freestyle motocross riders. Details: www.d1nz.com January 18: British car display - The Elms British cars of all makes, styles and eras will be on display at The Elms, Mission St, from 9am.

January 24-25: Jetsprints at ASB Baypark V8 lovers are in for a treat with the two-day Enzed Stadium Jetsprints racing extravaganza, which builds on the success of last year’s near-sellout stadium crowds with four hours of fast-paced, high-octane racing and entertainment. The stadium setting gives spectators the unique opportunity to get up close to the racing action and in-field family entertainment. Racing from 3pm both days.

January 31: Baypark Family Speedway Great entertainment is promised for the whole family with all the regular classes – including saloons, super saloons, sprint cars ad mini stocks – as well as seeing 30 three-quarter midgets competing at Baypark for the first time. Gates open for spectators at 5pm with racing from 6.30pm. Details: www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz/events

Beyond the Bay:

January 16-18, 23-25: Gulf New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing The motorsport festival at Hampton Downs offers an action-packed programme split during two three-day weekends in an event celebrating Formula 5000 and Kiwi racing icon Howard Ganley. Classes competing and on display include Historic Muscle Cars, GTs, Sports Sedans, BMW series and Formula Ford among others.

Details: www.nzfmr.co.nz January 18: Motorsport BOP dual sprints Taupo The first round of the Motorsport BOP track championships will be held at Taupo Motorsport Park. Details and entries: www.mbop.org.nz February 6-8: Leadfoot Festival – Hahei Classic cars, vintage motorcycles and motorsport legends will descend on Rod Millen’s Leadfoot Ranch for a series of races and displays in a celebration of all motorsports and all things automotive. Details: www.leadfootfestival.com To submit an event for listing, email details to hamishcarter@thesun.co.nz at least two weeks prior.

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

Friday 16 January 2015

Record sales drive on Following the boom year of car sales in 2014 there is no sign of a drop-off, with the Motor Industry Association picking small gains in sale volumes overall this year with commercials expected to keep moving quickly.

Association CEO David Crawford says a handful of records were broken during last year, with the “astounding” total of 127,179 new vehicles registered – up almost 4000 on the previous record year in 1984 and 12 per cent up, with 14,062 units, on 2013.

He says the impressive figures reflected the strong New Zealand economy, competitive pricing made possible by the relative strength of the New Zealand dollar and a wide range of new models introduced during the year.

On a high

Sales finished on a high for the year with a series of December records set for the highest passenger vehicle sales for the month since 1976, the highest commercial sales since records began in 1981 and the highest combined commercial and passenger sales.

The strength of the rural and construction sectors helped underpin the strong commercial sales, which also saw sales hit a new record of 36,662 units – 19 per cent ahead of the previous record from 2013 of 30,822 units.

“Continued strong sales in the light commercial sector is anticipated,” says David, who is picking a small overall increase in sales to about 128,000 units.

Beaut ute

Another record battle in the commercial sector was in ute sales, with the Ford Ranger ending the Toyota Hilux’s incredible 32-year

run as the bestselling ute in New Zealand. A total 6330 Ford Rangers sold compared to 5774 Toyota Hiluxs.

The breakdown in vehicle segments changed – with the high petrol prices earlier in the year failing to stem the growth in sports utility vehicles, which set a new record at 29 per cent of sales with 37,013 units sold for the year, followed by pick-ups/ chassis-cabs at 20 per cent and small cars at 18 per cent.

Overall the top five selling passenger and commercial vehicle models for the year comprised three light commercial vehicles, a small car and a large car.

These were the Toyota Corolla with 6469 units, followed by the Ford Ranger with 6,330 units, then the Toyota Hilux with 5,740 units, the Holden Commodore on 3233 units and the Holden Colorado in fifth place with 2948 units.

Passenger shuffle

Toyota was the overall market leader for the month of December with a 26 per cent market share with 2472 units with Ford second on 12 per cent with 1131units and Holden placing third with 11 per cent selling 1018 units.

Toyota was also the overall market leader for the 2014 year with 19 per cent market share with 24,692 units, with Ford second on 11 per cent with 14,033 units and Holden third also on 11 per cent with 13,422 units.

The Toyota Corolla was the year’s top selling new vehicle model with 6469 units, retaining its dominant spot from 2013.

Meanwhile, the Holden Commodore was second with 3001 units, swapping places with Suzuki Swift which fell to third with 2685 units; and Toyota Rav4 with 2562 units and Yaris with 2557 units, held their positions.

By Hamish Carter

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Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

Dazzling new jewel The magnificence of the new Mazda2

As Sideline Sid heads into his seventh decade on earth, his taste in cars has very much changed from big, fast and sporty to smaller cars that meet the mark in fuel economy, safety and driver comfort.

The All New Mazda2 from the Ultimate Motor Group in Mount Maunganui, which he took for a test drive on recent summer’s day in paradise, ticks all the boxes for the grey headed scribe.

What Sideline Sid found was a stylishlooking five-seater town and around hatchback that also suggested it could blow

SPECS Mazda42Cylinder 16 Valve All NeSw KYACTIV ith i-stop ngine w Engine: T Petrol E -V S C H O D 6cc 0rpm pacity: 149 Engine Ca ower: 81KW @ 600 P Maximum t Wheel Drive n Drive: Fro ption Combined m su n o Fuel C 100km x es tr li litres 5.2 pacity: 44 ca k Fuel tan $24,245 , Price: From imate Motor Group 0 lt 8 1 U 0 : ct 9 7 ta 5 n Co ph: 07 , d R s tt le 150 Hew

the cobwebs away out on the open road.

Instead of heading for the highway, the test drive was a tiki tour around his old haunts of Mount Maunganui, to see how the New Mazda2 handled the busy summertime traffic of the country’s premier holiday spot.

He couldn’t have picked a much busier time traffic-wise in the town simply known to most as ‘The Mount’.

The town was abuzz the day before the annual half ironman triathlon, with further preparations taking place at Blake Park where the Bay Rugby 7s would attract another big crowd on ‘Super Saturday’.

Snazzy!

First impressions were of snazzy looking sedan with clean cut lines.

Pulling up the bonnet revealed a compact 1.5 inline four-cylinder 16 valve S-VT petrol engine that had economy written all over it.

A quick look inside revealed plenty of room and comfort, with the three back seats promising plenty of leg room. A flick of the boot switch revealed 250 litres of cargo space.

First up was a trip around the block, which has always seemed to be a compulsory drive for the carloads of young people that stream to

the Mount during the holiday season.

Turn left from Maunganui Rd down past the Police station, then down The Mall, into the start of Marine Parade and then back down Banks Ave. The Mazda2 was a dream to drive around a busy Mount Maunganui.

A good turn of speed when needed and firm touch of the steering wheel getting around and past the myriad of cyclists out on the road, putting the final touches to their preparations for half ironman triathlon. Getting out of a couple of tight spots was made easy with an extremely good turning circle, which was complemented by the reversing camera when backing in and out of traffic.

Powering the New Mazda2 is SKYACTIV technology, which unlocks added efficiency and performance. Fuel efficiency is greatly enhanced with i-stop which shuts down the engine at places such as traffic lights and springs back into life at the touch of the accelerator.

The Mazda2 has an outstanding combined fuel economy of 5.2 per 100km, with a large capacity 44 litre fuel tank for long distance travel.

Insider view

The big seven inch colour monitor screen, right in the driver’s line of sight, really grabbed the reviewer’s attention.

The Mazda2 information system, which contains trip information, entertainment system, phone connection and Sat Nav, is a breeze to use. The screen can be utilised by

touch screen or a nifty computer mouse on the handily situated control box.

The Mazda2 has outstanding air conditioning, operated from the easy-to-get-at controls right below the information screen.

Endeavouring to drive off without securing the driver’s seatbelt was immediately halted by a loud warning sound.

The only hiccup on the review was not being able to find the keyless on and off start-button, which is discreetly hidden behind the windscreen wiper controls, necessitating a further tutorial.

Safety is an absolute priority in the New Mazda2 with Anti-Lock Braking System, a Brake Override System, Electronic BrakeForce Distribution, Emergency Brake Assist and Crumple Zones back and front.

However, the jewel in the crown of the New Mazda2 safety suite is the Blind Spot Monitoring.

The system scans the cars external mirrors blind spots to warn of obscured vehicles, to help avoid making hazardous lane changes, by way of a loud beeping sound.

Peace of mind motoring is provided with all New Mazda2 vehicles by way of threeyear scheduled services at no further cost, three-year Mazda On Call roadside assistance and a three-year unlimited kilometre Mazda factory warranty.

After reluctantly handing the keys back of the Mazda2 back to the friendly people at Ultimate Motor Group, Sideline Sid reflected on a car that was dream to drive around town, runs on the proverbial smell of an oily rag and comes with a very affordable price tag.

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

Friday 16 January 2015

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Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

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Friday 16 January 2015

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Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

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The Weekend Sun

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Friday 16 January 2015

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Friday 16 January 2015

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The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.

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www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

Friday 16 January 2015

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Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

Formula for fun: Motor racing festival Motorsport enthusiasts are in for a treat with six days of top racing and historic motoring displays on show at the annual festival of motor racing at Hampton Downs this month.

This year the festival, which stretches the weekends of January 16-18 and January 23-25, is a celebration of both the Formula 5000 type of racing car and Kiwi Formula One driver Howden Ganley, whose career went from racing team mechanic to driver, then race car manufacturer.

From sports cars to F5000s, then

New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing chairman Jim Barclay with Howden Ganley and the 1972 BRM P180 V12 Formula One car he raced at Monaco in 1972 that will be on display.

ultimately driving Formula Ones, New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing chairman Jim Barclay says Howden’s fascinating unheralded story deserved to be celebrated.

Jim says the annual January celebration of classic motorsport is shaping up to be a “massive event with a mouth-watering selection of single-seaters from Formula

5000 and Formula One”.

“With up to 50 Formula 5000s from all over the world, and demonstration sessions for Formula One cars as well as other historically significant race cars, it’ll be an epic pair of weekends for any petrol-head!”

The unprecedented turnout of Formula 5000 cars looks set to earn the festival a place in motorsport history as one of the largest ever gatherings of the iconic race cars.

If all cars entered for the racing and those set to be part of a Formula 5000 and Formula One display turn up, organisers are confident fans will see 50-plus of the V8, V10 and V12 powered machines, with cars covering all years of the F5000 formula’s life – and most, if not all, of the manufacturers that built cars for the series, which ran in various guises in the USA, Europe and Australasia between 1968 and 1982.

At least one full grid of Formula 5000s will race during the festival in what will be the first Formula 5000 World Series, with the champion to be crowned after the last race of the second weekend of the festival.

Among Formula 5000 drivers racing is Kiwi legend Kenny Smith, who despite being well into his 70s is still the man to beat in

Brian Roderick Motors

his Interscope Racing Lola T332 – a car which is not only one of the fastest in his hands but arguably the best presented in the world after being rebuilt fastidiously by Kenny’s long-time engineer Barry Miller.

The festival will also include a collection of cars that Howden drove or manufactured as part of his association with the Tiga race car brand, along with extensive races and class displays.

Among cars on display will be the historical V12 BRM P180 that Howden raced in Monaco in 1972.

Jim is hoping Howden will be tempted to turn back the clock and cut a few laps at Hampton Downs in the car, which is resplendent in its original Malboro colours.

This weekend’s programme includes Historic muscle cars and sports sedans, sports racing and GT cars, heritage touring, the BMW series and both Historic Formula Ford and Formula Ford classes.

Read about Western Bay drivers racing Historic Formula Fords in last week’s Sun Driver or go to www.baydriver.co.nz/news/ bd_697-revving-up-revival.html The second weekend, on January 23-25, also includes Formula 5000 and Formula One events, Historic Single Seaters and European Race Classics, along with many others.

The festival will see as many as five Formula One cars on track along with a major Historic Muscle Car contest that’s attracted eight cars across the Tasman from the historic Australian TransAm series to go head-to-head against the Kiwis.

For details, see www.nzfmr.co.nz

By Hamish Carter

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Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

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Bay Driver

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

Friday 16 January 2015

Page 15

Freestyle fundraiser flies high The success of Saturday’s star-studded FMX and BMX display at Fraser Cove has organisers determined to make the fundraiser an annual event.

Organisers Tauranga freestyle rider Luke Price and Worlds End Bar Restaurant Café owner Cameron Keogh are delighted by the crowd turnout and support for last weekend’s event and are already thinking about the next event.

They describe the event – which featured Luke’s world class FMX riding mates including Levi Sherwood, Billy Clark and Jed Mildon – as a great family event with a crowd of about 2000 at each of two shows.

Luke, a former full-time freestyle motocross rider, is happy with the fundraising which is expected to earn almost $15,000 for Cure Kids – an organisation set up to find cures for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Now a father, Luke was just getting back on his bike after a four-year break when he decided it would be good idea to do another fundraiser after helping organise a similar fundraiser for Yellow Ribbon at Fraser Cove in 2007 with Cameron.

“Richard Foster from Traxxas New Zealand, one of my major sponsors, came up with the idea that he wanted to run an event and I opened my mouth and said I’d done it before, so we jumped at it.”

Cameron’s delighted with the success of Saturday’s show – which also included a display of classic cars and hot rods – and hopes to make it an annual show.

But he knows it’s ultimately up to the athletes who are giving their time with Levi Sherwood, for example, normally charging about $20,000 a show.

“We’re really grateful for their support which makes it possible and would love to have it locked and loaded for next year.”

It’s a feeling shared by Luke, and judging by all the positive feedback he’s got from riders it shouldn’t be a problem.

“I made sure there were all the little details that make a

Left: Luke Price.

Inset: Levi Sherwood

big difference for the guys like a fruit bowl, sandwiches and plenty of water; and a lot of them told me it’s one of the best shows they’ve done.”

Cameron says without support from friends to set up the show, along with help from businesses such as Kale Print which sponsored $12,000 worth of posters, it wouldn’t have been possible.

Cure Kids CEO Vicki Lee is thrilled to be the recipient charity of Wheels for Cure Kids, which she describes as a “unique and adrenaline filled event”.

Vicki says Cure Kids is extremely thankful to Luke

Price and Richard Foster for their incredible support in putting together such a successful fundraiser, and riders for donating their time.

The event was a big boost in its mission to fundraise for cures that Kiwi kids need, says Vicki.

“Every cent raised makes a difference. You never know which dollar will find the cure.”

With a mission to ‘share the love around’, Cameron’s thinking of fundraising for Ronald McDonald House

By Hamish Carter next year.

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Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver

Friday 16 January 2015

Page 17

Carving a new track ahead Hard work by the Tauranga Motorcycle Club’s committee during the last two years will pay off in a fortnight when the club opens its new home venue with fresh tracks at TECT All Terrain Park.

Club secretary Debbie Simmonds is expecting a big boost in membership after years of running maize paddock runs and occasional events at Maddix Park.

“It’s going to make a huge difference.

Rather than just competing at away events, we’ll be hosting our own races and it will be great for all riders young and old to have their own place.”

Debbie believes having their own home track will make a “huge difference” for all riders, including helping foster young talent to compete at a higher level.

The club’s new mini and adult tracks will be officially opened by Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson and a fun day of races on February 1, with sign-on from 8am and racing from 9.30am.

“We’re encouraging everyone to come out – we want to give it a real test, to see how the carparks cope and everything,” says Debbie, who already knows of contingents of riders coming from Rotorua, Whakatane and Awakaponga to help christen the tracks.

Young riders gave the mini tracks “a big thumbs up” when it was opened for its first ride before Christmas, and a series of working bees by committee members and helpers have got the main track to the point where it will be ready to ride next month.

“A lot of work has gone into getting it this far and this is just the beginning.

“We are planning to get hoarding up and a marshal’s hut, so we will be running working bees for members after the opening.”

Debbie thanks everyone who’d been involved, saying help had not just come from members but from earthworks companies including Rex McIntyre from the Super-Mac Group who gave many hours of his bulldozer time to clear scrub and push out stumps.

Young riders tested Tauranga Motorcycle Club’s new mini MX tracks before Christmas.

“When we got the land – 40ha leased from the TECT All Terrain Park – it was covered in scrub and gorse and regrowth, so a lot of effort had to go into clearing that before we could begin tracks.”

Work on tracks mapped out last summer ground to a halt during a wet winter, but a grant of almost $50,000 from TECT in

August for track development meant work could advance quickly when the weather improved.

“It meant we could just get on really get cracking which has been great,” says Debbie.

The new motocross tracks follow the new trail riding tracks opened at the club’s reserve in October 2013. The trail tracks are only

open for special rides.

To encourage new members to join, with only two months of the financial year remaining, the club is giving anyone who signs up now next year’s membership too.

New members can sign up at the opening day or online at www.taurangamcc.co.nz

By Hamish Carter

Page 18

Friday 16 January 2015

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Friday 16 January 2015

Page 19

Tauranga drag racer Dave Gauld broke a 38-year record at Meremere’s Nitro Shootout last Saturday with a 7.4 second quarter mile. Photos by Popeye Pics.

Smashing nitro drag record Quiet and placid, most people can’t believe it when they first see ‘Dangerous Dave’ Gauld racing his dragster.

Last weekend he had the national drag community applauding him when he broke a longstanding record in his short wheelbase supercharged nitro-fuelled ’34 Ford at Meremere dragway’s Nitro Shootout doing the quarter mile in 7.4 seconds at 178 m/h.

“He’s one of the most modest, unassuming guys it’s always a shock for people who haven’t met him before,” says Bay Rodders club president Deano Anderson.

This weekend Dave will be among a contingent of about 30 Bay Rodders members taking part in the 21st National Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival in Kumeu, where he’ll help promote the Rodders’ annual Nostalgia Drags meeting at Meremere in April.

A lot of the members will be showing their cars in static displays, including the ‘Retro Junction’ section organised by the Whakatane Drag Club for the traditional-style dragsters,

but Dave will also be helping attract attention to the Rodders’ promotion by putting on some fierce start-ups every morning.

“The crowds always love it so that should help attract some attention,” says Dave, who is still celebrating his success at breaking the 38-year AA/FA record (supercharged fuel altered).

“We were absolutely stoked with how it went,” says Dave, who admits the short wheelbase does create some extra challenges.

“The front wheels were up in in the air from about half-way, it would have been at least 200 feet when all I could see was the sky.

“You can’t steer it with the wheels up, but I kept checking the guardrails to make sure I wasn’t going off course.”

Dave’s description underscores a comment from Deano that nobody has wanted to run a short wheel-base nitro for more than 30 years “because they are very short and scary!”.

“They have a very short wheelbase – not much more than a mini – and run on 2000hp, which makes it something else,” describes Deano, who says Dave’s earned the ‘Dangerous’ nickname because the car is so dangerous to drive.

Since he was a teenager in the 1970s, when he fell under the spell of the legendary ‘Hombre’ dragster, Dave has dreamed about racing the short wheel-based hotrod.

About 35 years on he took the plunge when he got the car three years ago. For the first two years he ran the five-window ’34 Ford on alcohol before converting over to nitro this season.

“It was just something that I wanted to do,” says Dave, about his ambition to claim the old record.

Now he’s turning his focus to increasing his speed with the ultimate goal of cutting his quarter mile time to the “high sixes” and get up

to 200m/h.

“We’re only running on 60 per cent nitro but we’ll go up to 80 per cent next season when we’ve had a bit of time running the nitro.

“That’ll make a difference but the challenge is handling the power with the short wheelbase.”

So what makes Dave do it, given the risk of racing a dragster which you can’t steer?

He sometimes asks himself the same question but then his crew Bruce Erickson starts up the engine and growl of the piston’s hooks him again instantly.

“When that engine’s going I can just feel it.

It’s such a thrill.”

The classic car and hotrod show, the biggest static display of classic cars in the country, is on at the Kumeu A&P Showgrounds tomorrow from 7am-6pm and Sunday from 8am-5pm.

For details, see: www.kumeuhotrodshow.co.nz

By Hamish Carter

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A3 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI Sport S tronic

$7,000 complimentary upgrade includes:

$5,000 complimentary upgrade includes:

• • • • • •

S line exterior styling kit Xenon headlights 17” 5-twin spoke alloy wheels MMI navigation plus Audi parking system plus Rear view camera

Farmer Audi

From just

$51,900 for a limited time

116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.

• • • • • •

S line exterior styling kit Xenon headlights 18” 5-twin spoke alloy wheels Sports seats Sports multi-function steering wheel S line interior styling package

Ph 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz

From just

$69,900 for a limited time

Page 20

Friday 16 January 2015

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver