Bd19dec

Thursday 19 December 2013 Thursday 19 December 2013Thursday 19 December 2013

Trading in the sleigh See page 4

Hyundai ix35

Drifting aheadQueen of the drags

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 2 Thursday 19 December 2013 Thursday 19 December 2013Thursday 19 December 2013

No.1 The Strand, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 www.sunlive.co.nz phone 07 578 0030 fax 07 571 1116 email [email protected]

Bookings and enquiries contact Tracey Taylor on 07 578 0030email: [email protected]

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The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 3Thursday 19 December 2013 Thursday 19 December 2013Thursday 19 December 2013

Bay of PlentyDecember 27: Baypark super saloons and sprint champsThe national super saloon grand prix champs will see top local drivers going up against the best 800 hp fl ame-belching monsters from around the country. The meeting will also host the region’s best sprint cars for the Bay champs.December 28-29: Awakaponga Summercross action Motocross fans will converge on Matata for the annual summer mara-thon event with racing during two days. Details: www.bopmcc.co.nzJanuary 11: Baypark super stocks and saloonsThe excitement continues with a full programme of racing from mini stocks to sprint cars.Jan 18-19: Baypark National Drifting champs roundBaypark is set to go off for what is expected to be another sell-out suc-cess with the third round of the D1NZ series held in the pits area. It will be held in conjunction with an actions sports event with top FMX, BMX, skate and scooter competitions. Details: www.d1nz.com

Beyond the Bay December 27-29, January 1-2: Taupo drag actionThe NZDRA summer racing series hits Taupo with Nitro Nirvana Drag Racing on December 27-29, then a drag family fun day and sum-mer nationals on January 1-2. January 4-5: Taupo Independent Race Class roundIt’s non-stop motorsport from more than 10 different classes, with cars ranging from Minis to Porsches competing, as part of the seven-round series. Details: www.irc.org.nzJanuary 11: Meremere’s nitro drag shoot-out Two nitro dragsters will face off to battle for a new speed record, along with the regular excitement of the season’s second competition series meeting, with racing from noon. Details: www.framautolitedragway.co.nzJanuary 17-19 and 24-26: Hampton Downs NZ Festival of Motor Racing Two weekends packed with motoring action on and off the track, in-cluding Formula One Ferrari demonstrations and the Historic Muscle Car annual showdown where classic Mustangs, Pontiacs, Camaros and other authentic 3000 cc-plus 1965-1974 era cars go head to head on the track. Details: www.nzfmr.co.nz

The VW Golf ’s success in being named New Zealand Car of the Year came as no surprise to Farmer Motor Group’s VW

sales manager Blair Woolford.

A fan of the revamped 2013 Golf himself, Blair ad-mits to struggling to see past it – even up against cars on his yard that are more than double its price.

Earlier this month the car won the top title at the AA-backed awards – the country’s leading indepen-dent awards that have been judged by members of the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild.

“The feedback we’ve had about the vehicle has been absolutely pleasing. I’ve had so many people tell me they love it, and I’m the same – I think it’s a great car.”

Blair says Volkswagen has “worked very hard to realign the model” so it more than matched what Japanese and Korean manufacturers are offering at the same price.

“It’s everything that it’s cracked up to be,” says Blair, who reckons along with having all of the features of-

fered by its competitors, the Golf also offers superior European design, engineering and styling. “The car’s popularity has seen demand outstrip supply,” says Blair.

Guild president David Linklater says the Golf offers premium European driving experience and quality at mainstream prices.

“Volkswagen has been giving the compact car market a bit of a push with the Golf. While previous models have been popular, the new Golf is priced to compete with mainstream, non-European brands.”

The compact car beat out nine other fi nalists to take the crown. Judges consider styling, performance, handling, economy, comfort, interior design, build quality and fi nish, practicality, value for money and the important X-factor when choosing a winner.

Award winner: small car: Ford Fiesta; medium car:Mazda6; large car: Holden Commodore; sports/performance car: Ford Fiesta ST; small/medium SUV: Mazda CX-5; utility: Ford Ranger; large SUV: Range Rover; compact car: VW Golf; luxury car: BMW 5 series and safest car: Volvo V40.

Weekend WheelsWeekend Wheels

Hole in one for Golf

By Hamish Carter

Farmer Motor Group’s VW specialists Blair Woolford and Charlie Shepard with

NZ Car of the Year VW Golf.


SPECS

Rated by many as one of the better compact SUVs on the market, the updated Hyundai ix35 offers even

more for the discerning driver.The popular compact model has been

ramped up with a few tweaks and a minor facelift, while the fundamental appeal of a versatile family wagon remains unchanged.

Word is already out – even before the fi rst stock arrives at New Zealand’s Hyundai deal-erships – with almost all 2014 models due to arrive at Farmer Motor Group next month already sold.

Dealership Hyundai manager Heath Kendall says the facelift upgrade includes modernisations to styling, the audio system along with the introduction of day-time LED running lights.

“It’s got the appeal of your Santa Fe looks, with a few adjustments that build on its popularity.”

Whether you like heading off-road to go bushwhacking, or are attracted by their combination of space and practicality, the SUV has become dominant category in the new car market. Generous luggage space, high ground clearance and ease of entry, along with their suitability for an outdoorsy lifestyle – there is little wonder they’ve been a hit with Kiwi drivers. But the relatively new compact variety of SUV now offers a more suitable option for the smaller house-hold.

The Hyundai ix35 has quickly established itself as a good option in the sector in both New Zealand and Australia since its original release in 2010, and Heath is picking the adjustments will attract more supporters.

Like all the good SUVs, it combines great looks with sleek, fl owing curves and metal-look roof rails adding to its sporty, youthful image. The interior is just what you’d expect – with the leather seats and steering wheel

in the elite, adding a sense of refi nement.

Its fi ve-seat capacity will suit the average family, while the generous boot space should be more than enough for Santa to stow all his

presents (591 litres, 1436 litres with back seats down), or can comfortably take three large golf bags.

The 60:40 split rear-seats give you the handy ability to accommodate those awkward loads, while the roof rails can be adjusted to accommodate roof-holders or a box for your bike, kayak, skis or other outdoor essentials.

Beyond the cosmetic, the best changes are underneath with improvements to the sus-pension, which had been criticised for being too stiff. Hyundai has taken the issue very seriously, playing with the set-up to ulti-mately test 12 different versions of the front suspension and 24 of the rear before settling on the best. The result is a smoother, more comfortable ride with happier driver and passengers.

Out on the road it packs reasonable power and avoids the heavy body roll you get with some SUVs. Driving is made easier with cruise control at your fi ngertips on the steering wheel, while the automatic six-speed transmission can be slipped into sequential sport-shift if you want to take more active driving control. Heading off the tarmac? The All-Wheel Drive function

improves traction and directional stability on gravel and other slippery surfaces.

Driver comfort can be easily adjusted to your exact needs with the electric slide and recline function that will help you fi nd the perfect position. Audio controls on the steering wheel allow you to move between functions and settings, while the Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary input for your iPod gives you the chance to set your driving soundtrack.

Safety is a top priority in the ix35 which has earned ANCAP’s top fi ve star safety rating – incorporating reverse sensors, a rear-view camera, six airbags (front, side and curtain), active head restraints (front), and enhanced brake control systems.

Effi ciency improvements have cut fuel consumption, giving the compact SUV good fuel economy compared with others in the class, covering 100 km on 7.5 litres.

Whether you choose your car for rational reasons or are guided by emotions, you’ll fi nd plenty to impress with the Hyundai ix35. It’s a versatile and practical family car packed with features at a good price which performs well and looks sharp. It’s defi nitely worth a closer look. By Hamish Carter

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Open: Monday-Friday 8.00am-5.30pm Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm

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


116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui. Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook


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Tauranga drifter Cole Armstrong has claimed his fi rst podium of

the national D1NZ drift series in Whangarei on Sunday, reviving his

goal to win the series championship.

“It is a great boost for the whole team,” says Cole, who after working at a mine in Western Australia for the last eight months has returned to Tauranga where he’ll be based for racing until March.

Cole has been working as a plumber in new mining town of Roy Hill in WA to fund work on his new 250 GT Skyline, which he aims to launch at the 2014 Rotary Nationals at Meremere on January 26. He’ll debut the car there because the event is supported by his sponsor V Energy.

“I’m keeping the details quiet, but it’s going to be a great car,” says Cole, who believes the combination of a top car, his driving ability and a great team of supporters, gives him a serious chance of winning the D1NZ title this

season.“It’s only two rounds in [of six] – so we’ve

still got a good shot.”Ideally, Cole would have liked to have de-

buted the new Skyline at the Baypark round on January 18, but didn’t want to compromise the car by rushing it. The GT and his RB34 Skyline will be engineered for different track types, to help his performance.

“We want to make sure we get everything right,” says Cole, who is looking forward to competing in front of his supporters at Baypark.

“I will defi nitely be putting on a bit of a show, but I don’t want to get carried away.”

Last year his over exuberance saw him crash at Baypark, breaking his steering rack – some-thing he’s determined not to repeat.

Cole came third in Whangarei, behind win-ner ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett and second place getter Gary ‘Gaz’ Whiter. Fellow Tauranga driver Drew Donovan took sixth place at Whangarei. After two rounds, Cole is ranked fi fth overall.

Cole Armstrong (right), returned to the podium at the Whangarei drift round, behind winner ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett, and second place getter Gary ‘Gaz’ Whiter.

By Hamish Carter

Cole comfort on podium


Tauranga’s Chris Verryt Cars prides itself on being able to offer ‘peace of mind and

quality’ when people buy a car.

That is exactly what Chris Verryt did this month, providing quality for community groups and businesses, which came together to fundraise and buy a 2004 Mazda MPV to gift to a deserving Tauranga family.

James Fowler-Oates and Nikki Stokes family is unique – they have four children with their youngest two being 18-month-old twins Felix and Madeline, who suffer from severe disabilities.

On December 11, the family received the vehicle, thanks to Tauranga Rotary Club and Acorn Foundation with help from Tauranga businesses and Smile Dial in Christchurch.

Chris says the seven-seater vehicle is perfect for the whole family, with its sliding doors and extra space, making life a little easier.

“They’ve got a lot on their hands, so it’s nice to be able to help,” says Chris, who supplied the vehicle with a new battery and car seat.

“It was a great chance to be able to give back and says thanks; we’re very lucky to be able to be part of it,” says Chris.

Nikki Stokes says the family is planning to put the Mazda to good use during summer by fi nally getting on the road all in one car.

“It means we can stick together as a family, rather than being isolated from each other,” says Nikki.

“We will be spending a lot of time at the beach as the kids like to build sandcastles; and we will go to Waihi Beach at some stage. We will also go to Auckland and take the kids to the zoo and Kelly Tarltons. Just nor-mal kids’ stuff; it’s really exciting.”

Nikki says having the new vehicle “all a bit overwhelming at the moment with what everyone has done”.

“It is just fantastic; it’s nice to know people are out there and caring in the community.”

Tauranga Rotary would like to take the opportunity to thank the following local businesses which supported their Christmas appeal: Shed Boss, Pak ‘n Save Tauranga, Paper Plus Tauranga, Legacy Accountants, Supermac, Chris Verryt Cars, Daniels in the Park, Acorn Trust, Z Energy, New World, Harvey Norman, Brookfi eld, Gull NZ Ltd, Kmart, The Warehouse Fraser Cove, Crom-bie Lockwood, The Baby Factory and Carrus Corporation. By Reese Flaxman

Community drive helps family

Ken Frew from Tauranga Rotary Club, James Fowler-Oates, Nikki Stokes and Chris Verryt from Chris Verryt Cars with the family’s new wheels.


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Growing up in the Eastern Bay, the young Karen Hay developed an

interest in rodding through her dad Lindsay Hay, who raced in the 1970s and early 1980s and was active in the Whakatane Rod and Custom Club.

Karen can remember going to many car shows and trips to the drags at Meremere, but it wasn’t until 12 years ago that she fi -nally convinced her dad to let her get behind the wheel.

Rodding had taken a back seat in the family when Lindsay turned his attention to jet boat river racing and setting new speed records in the 1980s, but his passion for drag was reawakened when he came across a black 1932 Roadster in 2000, which he soon began racing.

“Over the following two years of me crew-ing for dad, while he drove, I nagged him enough to fi nally get a turn.”

So began Karen’s passion for racing, which has since seen her go on to claim a series of class records in the purpose-built 27T dragster she’s raced since 2009. Lindsay is renowned in drag circles for helping get the most out of engines; and the work on the car quickly paid off with Karen (now Raggett), breaking the 200 m/h barrier the next year (2010) and claiming the nationals in 2012.

Karen lists other highlights as records she still holds in BB/A and CC/A classes and setting a record for the country’s fastest speed for a woman across the drag fi nish line (MPH) – but this season she aims to take it even further.

“I am still chasing the ET (quarter mile

racing ‘elapsed time’). Faye Grant ran 6.629 in 1990 and my quickest is 6.64 – so I won’t celebrate until I have both the MPH and ET.”

It’s a target she’s had her sights on for a few years, but car problems slowed her down last year – with a loose screw blown into the supercharger, putting the car out of ac-tion for three months while it was repaired. Instead of replacing the supercharger they upgraded to a turbo for increased speed. This season they’ve installed electric fuel injection with the twin turbos and Karen is excited about how the roadster’s 482 Chev recently performed on the dyno.

“We were over the moon with how it went. But there can be quite a difference between how it performs on the dyno and the track.”

Karen will be racing at her fi rst major drag meet of the season at Taupo after Christmas, where she will “just have to see how it goes”. But she won’t be pushing the car to its limit until she gets to Meremere’s better track in January. Karen will race at the Drag Master event on January 4, but won’t “completely open it up” until January 11, when the track will be in prime condition for two nitro-powered dragsters aiming to cover the quarter mile in four seconds.

All going to plan she’ll achieve her goals of taking Faye Grant’s record for the fastest New Zealand woman’s time ever and set a record for the country’s fastest turboed car – a title she will claim if she can cover the quarter mile in under 6.9 seconds. Karen is hoping for at least a 6.5 seconds pass this

season – and once she has ticked off these records, ultimately aims to run the car in Australia.

Just as Karen is following in her dad’s tracks, her own daughter Bree, 13, has taken to racing a junior dragster and is already showing the family talent – beating both her mother and grandfather at a recent event in Tokoroa.

“She showed she’s got great reaction times,” says Karen. If she is anything like her mother she probably also loves beating the guys.

“I love the speed of drag racing and I love competing in a predominantly man’s sport. Sex shouldn’t have anything to do with your ability as a driver, but a lot of the guys still seem to think so.”

Queen of the drags chasing crown

By Hamish Carter

Karen Raggett, in her purpose-

built 27T dragster Evil 2.

WITH A

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


116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui. Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga City Tel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook


Car enthusiasts are encouraged to see some of the best-loved vehicles

at Mount Maunganui Rotary Club’s inaugural Show off your Wheels

Auto Show.

Hundreds of vehicles are expected to park up at Mount Maunganui College grounds on February 23 – and Tauranga man Barry Walker’s 2008 XF Jaguar is one of them.

Barry’s brand new 2008 XF Jaguar arrived at his doorstep fi ve years ago, following his life-long dream of wanting one.

“My late father had his fi rst Jaguar in 1957, and a second in 1968. I’ve always wanted one,” says Barry.

“Sometimes, I think that maybe he’s look-ing over my shoulder – so I better not put a ding in it.”

Driving around the city, Barry says his car often catches the eye of passers-by, with its

metallic red-wine fi nish and ivory leather interior.

“It’s a fairly big car. It looks nice in that co-lour,” says Barry. “It’s got a true Jaguar fi nish. Everything is absolutely perfectly fi nished.

“[And] it has a nice sound – a sound of class. It just feels nice when I’m driving it.”

Show organiser Les Cresswell says the event, which raises money for a variety of Rotary charities, gives the opportunity for individuals who aren’t car club members, but have a “special and loved” car, to show it off in public. Individual car owners and car clubs are encouraged to enter vehicles before January 21, as spaces are fi lling up quickly.

The Show off your Wheels Auto Show is at Mount Maunganui College grounds on February 23.

Day entry is $5, with primary school aged children free when accompanied by an adult.

For more information, visit the webiste: www.showoffyourwheelsautoshow.com

A car lover’s dream

Barry Walker and his 2008 XF Jaguar and Mount Maunganui Rotary president Les

Creswell. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

By Zoe Hunter

10.00am to 4.30pm Sunday 23rd February 2014, Mount Maunganui College Grounds

10.00am to 4.30pm Sunday 23rd February 2014, Mount Maunganui College Grounds

ROTARY CLUB OF MOUNT MAUNGANUIPROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:


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


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The X240 4WD


The future of motorsport in the Western Bay looks strong, says Motorsport Bay

of Plenty president Geoff Andrews, with many talented drivers coming through the

club and near record membership.Geoff says club talent was clear in the

hotly-contested annual awards given out earlier this month, with members Phil Campbell, Ben Thomasen and Dave Holder competing at the top level of motorsport.

To build on growing interest in mo-torsport, the club has begun work on developing a dedicated autocross track at TECT All Terrain Park in conjunc-tion with Rotorua Car Club, which Geoff hopes will be completed by next Christmas. Ultimately, the club aims to build a rally cross track in the park.

Top awards at the annual awards went to the multi-talented Ben Thomasen for earning top points at club events, while the President’s Trophy went to Dave Loughlin for his outstanding contri-bution to the club.

“Dave has been an absolute stalwart. He’s always helping out, whether it’s marshalling or organising events.”

Geoff says the club would not have achieved the success it has without the on-going support of Dave and his wife, Linda Loughlin, who is club secretary

during the last 20 years.Along with taking the club’s Hillclimb

Challenge Trophy, Ben – who also holds the National Hillclimb Championship – also claimed the gravel sprint and gravel hillclimb cups. Talented young driver Mitch James claimed the club’s 2WD hillclimb championship, while Emile Thomson’s exploits in his Nissan Skyline earned him two track titles. The sealed sprint title was taken by Phil Jones.

Off the track, awards went to Dee Byrne as the most enthusiastic member, Shane

Wright for outstanding marshalling, Megan Walker for help timekeeping and Shane Tofts as the most industrious member for help organising the national clubsports championships at Baypark. John Bouzaid was given the hard luck award for his crash on the MacDougall Quarry Rd Hillclimb.

Ben Thomasen, pictured competing in his Subaru WRX, is among the top

winners of the Motorsport Bay of Plenty awards.

Photo by www.alittlebitsideways.co.nz

Recognising success

By Hamish Carter

Dave Loughlin received the President’s Trophy.

By Hamish Carter

Bay of Plenty rally driver Michael Young has fi nished the year on a high note, claiming his third Asia Pacifi c Rally win and the season’s Asia Cup title at the recent Thailand Rally.

The 21-year-old Opotiki driver is delighted with his success in his third Asia cup season, attributing it partly to a ‘drive to survive’ strategy he’d been following, with safe driving to avoid unneeded incidents that could force him out of the race early. The same game plan paid off in the previous rounds in Malaysia and Japan, where some of his closest rivals were forced to retire from crashes or mechanical problems.

“It’s unbelievable,” says Michael. “At the start of the week I never even thought about being Asia Cup champion, but it’s been such a crazy event with lots of ups and downs – and we’ve ended up on top.”

Michael, and Hamilton based co-driver Malcolm Read, saw their chances boosted when some of the fastest drivers got into trouble and “unfortunately for them had to retire”.

“This event is so tough on the cars. It’s hot, dusty and rough – and it’s all about who makes it to the fi nish.”

Their main rivals included last year’s Asia Cup winner Yuya Sumiyama, who was in second-equal place ahead of the round, and rookie Shuhei Muta, who had been leading by 22 points.

Despite their success, the Thailand rally was not without its own dramas for Michael and Malcolm after a rock got wedged in a rear brake calliper on the fi rst day, almost ending their title chances early.

“Luckily, Malcolm is a trained mechanic, so he was able to fi x it on the side of the road after the end of the stage. He really saved the rally for us there, so I’m thankful he was with me again.”

Michael pays tribute to his sponsors Cusco, Toyota and Dunlop for helping him this season, and is hoping to return to compete in the next series, which starts in Whangarei in April.

“I will do everything in my power to make sure I’m back next year. I now have three titles to defend – so I’ll be trying my best to get back for next year, but obvi-ously funding is always tricky.”

Triple treat for Bay driver

Bay of Plenty driver Michael Young in action during the Thailand Rally. Photo by Asia Pacifi c Sports Media.

HEWLETTS RD

HOLKING ST

MARU ST

to Mountto Bridge


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