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LIFTOUT The Bay’s largest circulating, most read newspaper. 63,730 copies Friday 26 April 2013 Smart sophistication Ford Kuga See page 4 Assistant pro Blake Prior and director of golf at Fairview, Nick Wilson, check out the new Kuga’s cargo capacity.
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Page 1: bd 26/04/13

LIFTOUT

The Bay’s largest circulating, most read newspaper.63,730 copies

Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

Smart sophisticationFord Kuga

See page 4

Assistant pro Blake Prior and director of golf at Fairview, Nick Wilson,

check out the new Kuga’s cargo capacity.

Page 2: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 2 Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 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 578 0030email: [email protected]

For editorial and news tips email: [email protected]

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Page 3: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 3Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

Manchester-born and bred former union rep Dick Davis knows a thing or two about class, but he has always

been blue-blooded.

“They are just the best. Haven’t you driven one?” says Dick, when asked what makes him love Ford’s oval blue badge so much.

Dick’s love affair with the Ford badge began at about age 15 when he got his fi rst car, a 1934 Ford Ten which he clearly remembers squeezing eight or nine into, to go to dances.

“There was a group of us boys and girls and we would all get in and head off to the rock and roll dances. We had lots of great fun. Lots of mischief as you can imagine.”

He says they would often squeeze eight

or nine in the car. “I was in the group of boys and girls and we would all squeeze in to it and head off the rock and roll dances. We had lots of great fun. Lots of mischief as you can imagine.”

Dick, who migrated to New Zealand in 1970, is proud to have owned dozens of Fords over the years – including many he has done up himself – saying it’s diffi cult to remember them all.

“I’ve actually lost count of how many cars I’ve had over here but I’ve had plenty. I would probably on average change the majority of cars every six months. I do them up the way I want to and then fi nd there is nothing else I can do so I get bored and look

for a new car. “But this car”, he says pointing to his latest purchase - a 1998 Ford Mustang – “has got to

be my last car because I’m retired and I can’t afford to buy

any more”.One that stands out as a favourite is a 1959

MKII Zephyr he did up and owned for about seven years before selling it.

“I put a V8 into it and turned it into two-door coupe and completely rebuilt the thing, putting in late model running gear. It was a great car. I was sorry to see it go – it brought back a lot of memories from the UK and the rock and roll era.”

He laughs recalling his only foray into

Holdens, when he was doing duel sprints at the old Baypark Speedway. He lost control of his XU1 Torana at the sweeper and “the thing barrel-rolled fi ve or six times. I’ve never driven one since”.

Dick is the vice president of the Ford Muscle Car Club, which he has been involved in for 19 years. This Sunday the club is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a cruise leaving from the Street Rodders clubrooms in Cherokee Place at 10.30am, before returning for a barbecue and social gathering.

He is encouraging former and current members to take part, saying they only need to bring a salad (meat supplied). Details: www.fordmusclecars.org.nz

By Hamish Carter

Blue-blooded and proud of it

It is all about the Ford muscle for Dick Davis who has owned dozens of great Fords, including his latest - a 1998 Ford Mustang.

Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Page 4: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 4 Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

SPECS

Cars are getting so clever these days, I’m fearing for my job. Cars have

moved on from simply changing gear themselves to now parking themselves, automatically selecting all-wheel-drive

when conditions dictate – and one even automatically opens the back tailgate, with a wave of your foot,

when your hands are full.I fear for my job because at this rate, cars

may soon write their own reviews.I could blame the Kuga. It has more features

than I could have imagined and after driving it for a day, I still hadn’t discovered all its nifty little secrets.

Mind you, I was far too busy actually enjoy-ing the driving to look too closely for many of the spectacular innovations.

Because the Kuga is a delight to drive – that alone has me sold long before I start exploring the magical wonders of its special features.

Our test model is the top of the range Tita-nium 2 litre diesel.

Resplendent in eye-catching “ginger ale” it looks more like an earthy green to me. That colour polarises all who see it, either loving it or hating it. Everyone has to comment about it.

The Kuga looks good, even standing still. The overall size is perfectly pitched for the sophisticated crossover market. Small enough to avoid feeling daunting like a hard core 4WD, yet big enough to sensibly and comfortably take a family in

safety and style. And, big enough to feel solid and protective on the highway – and to hold a top safety rating.

Sitting in the driver’s seat, the dash is loaded with controls, without being too tricky. It’s all amazingly intuitive, even at fi rst glance. There is a lot of information and controls but they’re so well set-out that using them is second nature from the get-go.

Best of all is the start button. You only need to be in possession of the fob key, put a foot on the brake and push the start button. No fumbling with ignition keys, wrestling with locked steering wheels or pushing buttons on keys. Just get in, push go.

Simply sophisticatedFrom then, you can use the Kuga as sophis-

ticatedly or as simply as you feel. It will, on voice commands, operate the stereo, radio or your cellphone, just by calling a name. It will play specifi c artists, albums or tracks – or turn on shuffl e, with just a word from the driver,

with hands always safely on the

wheel and eyes on the road ahead.On the street, the 2 litre turbo diesel is

peppy and smooth. The Kuga is very quick off the mark and the low down torque of the diesel is one of the best I’ve ever driven. Gear changes in the six stage auto are virtually indistinguishable and the handling is well balanced and accurate. Despite all the clever gadgetry, I simply enjoy the actual drive the most.

Willing and ready, I have to constantly watch my speed as the Kuga just wants to go. It feels so secure and predictable in handling that it’s too easy to let it whizz up the dial.

Active park-assist is a piece of genius for those challenged by parallel parking. It helps fi nd a spot the car will fi t, then simply parks itself, with the driver using accelerator and brake.

The all-wheel-drive system cleverly adjusts, in a split second, (actually every 16 millisec-onds!) to any changes in road conditions that require a shift in traction between all four wheels. The rest of the time, the Kuga zips along happily in economic front-wheel-drive mode.

The cruise control has some very cool fea-tures, including adjustable speed limiting, which senses when a vehicle in front is slowing or

stopping. A “Forward Alert” audio and visual collision warning system

lets you know when there’s threat of another vehicle potentially being a problem… and as we know, this is

a pretty handy feature in Tauranga. It went off three times on Cameron Road alone!On the highway the Kuga changes

its spots from the nifty around-town tootler, to a lithe performer with long legs

and a very purposeful attitude. I’ve always admired Ford stability and cornering,

a unique feel of “tracking on rails”, and the Kuga has inherited those genes.

Even after a short time behind the wheel, this car inspired confi dence and control. Even-tually I had to tear myself away from this pure sensation of driving pleasure to look deeper into the fi ner points.

Driver assistanceThere’s driver drowsiness detection and

a lane keeping aid. Front and rear parking assist sensors to help ease the Kuga into those tighter spots.

Inside, the Kuga feels spacious for its size. The rear 60/40 split seats give maximum ver-satility for loads. A large power sunroof gives the option of fresh air, full light or completely closed. Some models have an adjustable fl oor height, making the space deeper, or raised, with the seats all down to create a fl at load fl oor. There are also hidden compartments for stowing valuables out of sight.

Overall, the Kuga is a great mid-sized performer with the full load of gadgetry – you can use as much or as little as required, to suit your life, adventures or mood. The impor-tant point is that the technology is very user friendly.

Above all else, the Kuga is a pleasure to drive, with sure-footed power delivered all round where and when it’s needed; and economy of two wheel drive as the norm.

There’s not a lot in the all-wheel-drive market for under $40,000 and the base model Kuga should really appeal to those wanting a well-priced crossover with the smart traction system.

It is smart in every sense of the word – from styling to performance, and especially in its high level of development, that is not just hi-tech, but incredibly sensibly useable and intuitive, even for the most tech-challenged amongst us.

Crossover to adventure

The Kuga looks good, even standing still. The Kuga looks good, even standing still. The overall size is perfectly pitched for The overall size is perfectly pitched for the sophisticated crossover market. Small the sophisticated crossover market. Small enough to avoid feeling daunting like enough to avoid feeling daunting like a hard core 4WD, yet big enough to a hard core 4WD, yet big enough to sensibly and comfortably take a family in sensibly and comfortably take a family in

and visual collision warning system lets you know when there’s threat

of another vehicle potentially being a problem… and as we know, this is a problem… and as we know, this is

a pretty handy feature in Tauranga. a pretty handy feature in Tauranga. It went off three times on Cameron It went off three times on Cameron Road alone!Road alone!On the highway the Kuga changes On the highway the Kuga changes

its spots from the nifty around-town its spots from the nifty around-town tootler, to a lithe performer with long legs tootler, to a lithe performer with long legs

and a very purposeful attitude. I’ve always and a very purposeful attitude. I’ve always admired Ford stability and cornering, admired Ford stability and cornering, By Brian Rogers

Ford Kuga Titanium 2L Diesel

Engine Type: 16V common rail turbo diesel

Engine Displacement: 2.0 litre Duratorq TDCi 4

cylinder Transmission: 6-speed PowerShift automatic

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Contact: Ultimate Motor Group Phone 07 579 0180

Page 5: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 5Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

Ph. 07 578 1378 www.tmccars.co.nzCnr. Cameron Road & 3rd Ave TaurangaPh. 07 578 1378 www.tmccars.co.nzCnr. Cameron Road & 3rd Ave TaurangaTMC TAURANGA MOTOR COMPANY

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Page 6: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 6 Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

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The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 7Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

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Page 8: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 8 Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

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Page 9: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 9Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

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Page 10: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 10 Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

As a teenager V8 Supercar legend Greg Murphy says he never really understood the

importance of road safety. Now, a driving champion, Greg wants teenagers to

understand the importance of driving safe.“I thought the same as most of the kids do these

days. The risk was not there. I didn’t asses it as being a problem.”

Greg says he made some “big errors” on the road when he was a teenager.

“It was a signifi cant one too which could have been different as a result. I rode a car off and injured someone. I mean it doesn’t get much worse.”

Greg is visiting schools around the country pro-moting road safety messages to young drivers.

On April 16 and 17 Greg visited Otumoetai Col-lege and Tauranga Girls’ College.

Together the Motor Trade Association and Greg have developed a formula that makes road safety

interesting and digestible for secondary school students, as part of the Government’s Safer Journey’s programme.

“We just want to make them give a bit more of a thought process before getting behind the wheel and also the importance of getting good training,” says Greg.

In his presentations Greg shares personal stories, reasons why he is keen to improve safety perfor-mance among young drivers and what students can do to improve their safety on the roads.

Greg wants to change the culture of how people perceive getting a licence and having the right to drive on the roads.

“We need to understand that there’s a lot more risk associated with it.

“We don’t put enough emphasis on the dangers of driving motor vehicles.

There needs to be more respect given to the right to be able to get behind the wheel of a car.”

Concerns about driving standards have prompted

MotorSport Bay of Plenty to launch a training programme

to help young drivers fi ne-tune their skills.

Club president Geoff Andrews says the group had many highly-skilled drivers who were keen to share their tips to help young drivers at its one-day training course.

“We have had an interest in improving driver skills for some time and we have some talented drivers with instructing experience who are going to help.”

The ‘SkillDrive’ programme was endorsed and launched by V8 legend Greg Murphy last week who commended the club and pro-gramme supporters including Sun Media, for the “exciting initiative” to help young drivers.

The quarterly programme will be held at the Te Matai Motorsport area at TECT All Terrain Park to give drivers the chance to put the

training into practice in a safe envi-ronment.

Geoff says the club has been exploring ways to teach better car control to unskilled drivers and believes TECT park’s motorsports area offers the perfect safe environ-ment for members with extensive driver training experience to pass on their skills.

“They will have a chance to learn skid control and we will have a car available for them to use if they don’t want to sue their own.”

The programme will be run quar-terly and is aimed at new drivers, but unlicenced, learner drivers can also take part.

It will combine theoretical teach-ing, from spatial awareness to distance judgement and hazard identifi cation, before drivers have a chance to put theory into practice over a few courses. To register for the fi rst course go to: www.mbop.org,nz

Watch Greg Murphy share his pas-sion for young driver training and hear about some of his own errors as a young driver at: www.sunlive.co.nz

Seasoned drivers teach young

V8 Supercar legend Greg Murphy speaks about why young drivers need to keep safe on the roads. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

By Zoe Hunter

Supercar legend educates

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Page 11: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 11Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

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Page 12: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 12 Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

Page 13: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 13Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

The growth in the popularity of motocross at Western Bay secondary schools has led to

plans for the region’s fi rst inter-school event later this year.

Tauranga Boys’ College motocross team manager Tony Heyblom is driving plans to host a round at Pirini Motor-bike Park at the end of the season.

“Our problem in Tauranga is that we don’t have a track that can cater to the large numbers the event would attract. Maddix Park just couldn’t cope with the 300 odd riders and all their supporters.”

Tony says work needed to be done to modify the track – which was designed for quad biking – to offer a starting line where all motocross riders could begin together. He aims to hold the inter-school event in September or Octo-ber, with hopes to make it an annual event.

He says motocross has become a serious sporting option at secondary schools, with riders in the individual pursuit benefi tting from being part of a team – which saw Western Bay riders take part in a two-day riding camp at Pirini park in Patetonga at the start of the season in March. The camp attracted 65 riders, including 39 from the boys’ team, for training sessions with some top Tauranga-based riders.

“We had Ben Townley and Nick Franklin, both world

champs, join us at the camp and Dion Picard an up and coming New Zealand star, along with Niki Urwin. Not many sports, let alone school teams, can call on world champs to come along and have a play!”

He says it was a great way to begin the season, with all the riders inspired by the top riders.

“When Ben took to the track they were in awe. They didn’t know whether to watch him ride or follow him.”

Tony says it was great to see the community get behind the sport, with generous sponsorship from many busi-nesses.

After a mixed start to the season Tauranga Boys’ moto-cross team – at the fi rst inter-college event in Patetonga last month the team fi nished 16 out of 22 after a few bike breakdowns – the school returned to better form fi nishing fi fth at the recent Western Heights MotoX Tournament in Rotorua.

“I would have liked to have done better, but we’re getting there.”

Otumoetai College, which debuted its motocross team last year, has joined Boys’ as the dominant Western Bay schools competing.

The Otumoetai team did not compete at the Rotorua event, but had begun the season reasonably – fi nishing ahead of all other Western Bay schools at the Patetonga event (10th overall out of 22).

Tauranga Boys’ College rider Reed Van de Leer competes at this month’s Western Heights MotoX event. Photo by Hayley Hawkless.

By Hamish Carter

College motocross

graduating

After a successful round in Christchurch, Tauranga’s drift racing couple are turning their attention to D-Comp

2013 in Taupo next weekend – aiming for success in the national drifting event on and off the track.

Both Jodie Verhulst and Drew Donovan had podium fi nishes in their respective fi elds at Ruapuna in Christchurch, in the recent fi fth round of the D1NZ National Drifting Championships, in what they both described as their season’s top achievement.

Jodie, who was third in the Pro-Am series for the second time this season, said it was a great result after a series of frustrations includ-ing problems with Drew’s car that forced them to share her car at the Hampton Downs round.

“Wow, we had an amazing run of it,” says Jodie about their Christch-urch success which saw the pair set a new record as the fi rst team to have team members make the podium in both divisions. “We are so proud of our latest achievements and to have two new trophies to add to the collection.”

Drew, who fi nished third in the D1NZ Pro Class to have his best performance all year, was equally ecstatic, describing his success as “huge”.

Next weekend the pair will be taking both their cars to the Taupo Motorsport Park for the D-Comp event they have organised as part of the annual Diesel, Demons and Daredevils motorsport festival. The weekend of racing and displays will include racing by trucks, motards, sidecars and an all-comers saloon race class, along with the drift event that the pair are organising for the fourth year.

While Jodie will be competing on the Taupo track, Drew will have to limit himself to a play in the car on Friday’s test day with his focus on running the event for his drift event company he started six years ago that mainly puts on practice events.

“Interest has been growing every year. We’ve got most of the top 10 driver in the D1NZ this year so it should be a great event.”

Drew believes his experience as a driver helps him put on a good event, saying you know what drivers expect and always are thinking about all the details from the driver’s perspective.

“I really enjoy the promotional aspect of it. It’s great putting on a good event and showcase drifting.”

Beyond Taupo, both Drew and Jodie are looking forward to compet-ing in the fi nal round of D1NZ series and have their fi ngers crossed it will be held in Pukekohe, as initially planned. Plans to hold the sixth round at Pukekohe on April 6-7 were put on hold because of resident’s concerns about the noise. A fi nal decision on whether it will be held at Pukekohe or Taupo, in late May or early June, is expected soon.

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Page 14: bd 26/04/13

The Weekend Sun Bay DriverPage 14 Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

Weekend WheelsBay of Plenty

April 27Top Half Midget Series round three at ASB Baypark

Speedway, with racing also by sprint, saloon, stock and mini stock car classes. Racing from 6.30pm-10pm. Details: www.asbbaypark.co.nz

April 28 Ford Muscle Car Club celebrates its 20th anniversary with

a cruise around the Mount followed by a social barbecue. Meet at Street Rodders Club, Cherokee Place, at 10.30am. Details: www.fordmusclecars.org.nz

April 28 Ngongotaha Hillclimb round three, the final round in the

series on the tarmac climb, is being held by Rotorua Car Club.

May 4Waihi Beach Dirt Track Club race day. Details: www.

waihibeachdirttrackclub.co.nzMay 10-12 The Targa Rotorua will see top rallying return to the

central North Island, with racing in the three-day event covering 375kms of back roads from Rotorua to Tokoroa and Cambridge. Details: www.targa.co.nz

Beyond the Bay April 26-27 NZDRA NZ Nationals final round at Taupo Thunder

Dragway with racing in a range of classes from bikes to super stocks and dragsters. Details: www.taupodrags.co.nz

May 4-5Diesel, Demons and Daredevils will see motorsport

enthusiasts competing across a range of events at Ricoh Taupo Motorsport Park from drifting, bikes and sidecars to drags, an all-comers class and truck racing.

To submit a motorsport event for listing, please email details to: [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the event.

This weekend it is all about speed for Mike Reid. After meticulous fine-tuning of legendary 1955 Chev dragster ‘Rat Attack’, Mike is determined to set a new record at the Taupo Thunder Dragways.

Mike, who splits his time between working from Omokoroa and running the family farm in Mahia Peninsula, knows he is out of the running for the national drag title but is determined to set a personal speed record in the car.

“I’ve been getting my backside kicked all around the country,” says Mike, about his drag season that has seen him tailing a distant second place 104 points behind Morice McMillin, from Hamilton, in the door slammer class.

Mike, who has been drag racing ‘prop-erly’ since 1994, did win the round in Tokoroa, but annoyingly the victory did not count for group one points.

“I’ve always loved V8s – as a kid I was really mechanically minded and I was racing motorbikes by the time I was six. It’s been the family thing.”

This weekend’s event at Taupo, the final round in the drag racing association’s national point score series, will also be his son Clinton’s debut in the ‘Super Streets’ class, after graduating from years compet-ing in the junior dragster class.

“He’s only just racing at the nationals, this will be his first event. He’s pretty excited and pretty nervous.”

Mike says Clinton, 18, is up against some people with a lot of experience, “but he’s got one of the quicker cars in that bracket so he stands as good a chance as any”.

Clinton, who caught the bug off Mike, is racing the 1985 Nissan ute (7.1 Chev engine) which Mike competed in before getting the legendary ‘Rat Attack’ from

seasoned Tauranga drag racer Chris Tynan.

“It’s a huge step up, but just like me going into the Chev, it’s a huge step up,” says Mike about Clinton’s transition from junior dragsters to the nitro-powered ute, which he has reached a top speed of 140 mph in, doing a 9.4 second quarter mile.

Mike, who bought ‘Rat Attack’ off Tauranga drag icon Chris Tynan four years ago, says it is a “huge” privilege to be racing the Bel Air Chevy that Chris set numerous records in since its 1981 drag debut.

“It’s probably the most historic active car in New Zealand now. It’s an amazing opportunity to have the car in our shed,” says Mike, who until six months ago was based full-time in Omokoroa.

“At some stage or another it held a record at every track in New Zealand. It only just recently lost its mile per hour record but it still holds track record at Christchurch and Nelson.”

Mike has got ‘Rat Attack’ to a speed of

170 mph, covering the quarter mile drag in 7.9 seconds, but this weekend he is determined to squeeze even more out of the methanol supercharged engine.

“We plan on reducing that 7.9 second at the nationals. We are going for broke – we are going for 7.6 or a 7.7.”

Ironically many of Rat Attack’s records have fallen to Chris’s replacement car – ‘Rat Attack Two’ - which is based on the same car with a true 1955 Chevy engine but with a more aerodynamic fibreglass body.

“I haven’t raced him yet but once the Tauranga track is up and running I hope to have a showdown up there,” says Mike who describes Chris and his wife Colleen as family.

“But I never knew when I got this car I was going to adopt another family.”

Mike is also grateful for the support of sponsors to help him cover the cost of racing ‘Rat Attack’ – including West Coast Classics Ltd, Landon Motorsports, Bay Speed and Century Batteries.

Rat Attack races on

Mike Reid with the legendary 1955 Chevy drag car ‘Rat Attack’ which he hopes to set a personal record in at the national drag series final in Taupo this weekend. Photo by Earl Edwards.

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The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Page 15Friday 26 April 2013 Friday 26 April 2013Friday 26 April 2013

w w w. g re a t w a l l a u t o . c o . n z

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The X240 4WD

Page 16: bd 26/04/13

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