bd6dec

Friday 6 December 2013 Friday 6 December 2013Friday 6 December 2013

Landmark practicality

Craig Morton surveys the Great Wall V240 Wellside Ute after

putting it through its pacres on his Katikati farm. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

Racing aheadPage 3

On cloud 94

umg.co.nz

DON’TSETTLEFOR ANYTHING

LESS

Great Wallwellside ute

page 4

Brought to you byInside this issue

The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Friday 6 December 2013 Friday 6 December 2013Friday 6 December 2013


Weekend Wheels

After parking up during winter to focus on university studies, Te Puke teen racing

talent Michael Scott is hoping to be back in the driving seat soon to chase his dream of

a motorsport career.“It’s been a change not to be in the car so much,”

says the 19-year-old, who would love to follow in the tracks of Te Puke racing legend Denny Hulme. After a fair performance in the last Toyota Race Series, he’s aiming to be back racing in the country’s top single seat formula series at Invercargill’s opening round on January 9, but it all comes down to sponsorship.

“It’s one of the most expensive series with leasing the car, the engine, tyres, travel, and having a crew with an engineer – it all adds up,” says Michael, who is looking for business support with the help of Te Puke Economic Development Group manager Mark Boyle.

With his fi rst year engineering studies fi nished, Michael was quick to get back behind the wheel at Ruapana track – where he fi nished second in a mixed class event last month – as well as getting back on Te Puke’s karting track where he cut his teeth racing.

By this time last year Michael had competed in the National Formula Ford Series, the National Formula First Series and the Australian Formula Ford State Series. It was a big year, making some big steps he plans to build on this year, with Michael coming second in the national Formula Ford championship where he was named rookie of the year. The Austral-ian series that followed was a big learning experience, with Michael saying it was a step up in professional-ism, with larger teams, detailed data analysis and working with an engineer to ensure top performance.

“It was a little bit challenging. It’s no longer just you and your dad; you’re now part of a team. It was hugely benefi cial.”

From Formula Ford he stepped up to the Toyota Series in January, competing in what is one of the toughest fi elds it has seen.

“It was quite a challenging series. At the beginning I was quite off the pace, but as it went on I got closer and closer,” says Michael, who describes highlights as

making top 10 in Taupo’s feature race and competing in the New Zealand grand prix for the fi rst time.

“We always knew the Toyota Racing Series was going to be a two-year programme and accepted that our fi rst year was going to be all about learning. This year, we’re coming back to prove what we’ve learned and try to start challenging for the front and being very competitive.”

The fi ve round Toyota series – which winds up with the New Zealand Grand Prix at Palmerston North’s Manfeild in early February – is dominated by inter-national drivers but Michael has his eyes fi rmly set on being the top of the four Kiwis expected to compete.

Growing up on farm bikes, Michael already had a taste for speed when began karting at 11, quickly pushing himself to compete at the top national level. Looking back, Michael says karting gave him great foundation skills, which he has built on as he’s pro-gressed up the ladder – but he still enjoys a good kart race at Fagan’s Valley Raceway.

While his focus is the Toyota series right now he aspires to make the V8 supercars or another top class.

Like Denny Hulme, one of Michael’s icons, he is determined to make it to the top of motorsport. For sponsorship details contact Michael on 07 533 3678 or email: [email protected] Or call Mark Boyle on 07 573 6772 or email: [email protected]

Bay of PlentyDecember 14: Speedway modifi ed champs: BayparkA full programme of racing at Baypark offers something for everyone, with highlights including the modifi ed championships and a visit by Santa for the annual Christmas event. Sprint, super saloons, saloons, stock and mini stock cars will also compete with racing from 6.30pm.December 27: Super saloons and sprint champs: BayparkExcitement continues at Baypark with the national super saloon grand prix champs with 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: Summercross action: AwakapongaMotocross fans will converge on Matata for the annual summer marathon event with racing during two days. Details: www.bopmcc.co.nz

Beyond the Bay Dec 6: Honda event in TaupoThe New Zealand Honda Club’s Mega meet offers all Honda owners a chance to put their car through its paces on the Taupo track. Details: www.NZHondas.comDec 6: Night speed drag wars at MeremereIn the third of the four-round night drag series, street legal cars and bikes will do battle with racing from 6.30pm. www.framautolitedragway.co.nzDecember 7: Suzuki Series at Hampton DownsThe action-packed Suzuki bike road racing series kicks off at Hampton Downs, before continuing at Manfeild on December 15; then concluding with the traditional Cemetery Circuit race on the streets of Wanganui on Boxing Day. Details: www.cemeterycircuit.co.nzDecember 14: D1NZ Whangarei driftingThe county’s top drifters go head to head in the second round of the season in Whangarei on December 14-15. Details: www.d1nz.co.nzDecember 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 summer nationals on January 1-2.

Racing ahead for Te Puke teen

Te Puke’s rising motorsport driver Michael Scott (seated) with Brendon Hartley during the Toyota

Racing Series in January.

By Hamish Carter


SPECS

Function, utility and valueThe Bay Driver review tag team

of Sun Media photographer Bruce and Sideline Sid hit the road again, when they took a Great Wall V240 4x2 (petrol) wellside ute for a road

test and photo shoot.Given a mission of getting photographs

in a rural setting with a local backdrop, the intrepid team (eventually), ended up on Farmer Morton’s property on Morton Rd on the outskirts of Katikati.

While initially taken back by journeying out of the confi nes of the big city, the rural outing killed two birds with one stone, giving the reviewers a chance to test drive on the open road and then take photo-graphs in a tranquil rural setting.

After picking up the test drive utility vehicle from Ingham Sears, Bruce says: “I saw what looked to be a good work-ing utility vehicle that screamed value for money at around $20,000”.

Meanwhile, Sideline Sid was taken by the clean lines of the ute that had a strong Chinese pedigree.

In keeping with the Great Wall V240’s outstanding success as an all-round work-horse, the extremely competitively priced two-seat ute comes in three workman-like shades of black, white and silver.

Sitting in the hot seat behind the steer-ing wheel, Bruce was impressed with the big side mirrors which gave very good all-round vision. “My fi rst impressions, getting behind the steering wheel, were of a comfortable fi rm seat with an easy-to-read instrument panel fi rmly in my sights.

“The controls were well laid out with a handy storage box separating the two seats.”

Sideline Sid was more interested in the

functionality of the interior. Durable cloth trim seats with safety, provided by dual front air bags, caught Sid’s eye. In keeping with the functional format of the versatile workhorse, the bells and whistles were restricted to a CD/Radio/MP3 player with power windows and an impressive air conditioning unit. The only fl y in the oint-ment was the restricted head room space in the cab.

The clean lines of the exterior were high-lighted by a number of special features. Large fog lights, power windows and 16 inch alloy wheels gave the Great Wall Single Cab a tiny hint of class, with fum-bling for car keys fi rmly in the past thanks to keyless entry.

Out on the open road on our jaunt in the countryside, Bruce was impressed with the power steering that provided a light touch. “The nice light clutch makes changing the manual gears a breeze, with pickup on the road more than adequate”.

However, it is the all-round potential as a farm runabout or tradesman’s vehicle that held the real appeal for the pair of reviewers. The Great Wall V240 wellside model has carrying space in spades. With a payload of up to 1183 kg, the ability to carry large loads stands out. The large wellside deck space is complemented by a big back step and an easy locking rear tail-gate. Throw on an optional extra fi breglass canopy and you have a secure unit that can hold all manner of goods for transporta-tion.

Two standout features make the Great Wall vehicles stand alone from the compe-tition. Starting from about $20,000, the Great Wall V Series Single Cab utes are outstanding value for money, with an extra bonus of a three-year/100,000 km war-ranty plus three years of Roadside Assist.

The second standout is the myriad of Great Wall V240 versions that can provide a vehicle for any need or situation. The V Series Single Cab utes are available in both petrol or diesel options, with the petrol models available in a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 drive. A second range is the V Series Dual Cab, again available in both petrol and diesel and 4WD or 2WD.

The last word is left to one of the Ingham Sears sales team, who says: “The great ute of China is fast becoming the great ute of New Zealand”.

Great Wall V240 4x2 Single Cab (petrol) wellside uteEngine: 2.4 litre 4 Cylinder DOHCTransmission: 5 speed manualFuel Economy (Combined) 10.7 litres per 100 kmSafety Features: Dual front airbags and anti-lock braking systemWarranty: Three-year/100,000 kmRecommended Retail Price: From $19,990 plus ORCContact: Ingham Sears, 55 Totara St, Mount Maunganui. Ph 07 572 8260.

By Barry Leabourn and Bruce Barnard


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

DEALER DETAILS

The X240 4WD


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


NZ NEW

NZ NEW

NZ NEW NZ NEWNZ NEW

NZ NEW

7 SEATER

NZ NEW

NZ NEW

NZ NEW

NZ NEW

NZ NEW NZ NEW

NZ NEW

FANTASTIC

NZ NEW


Sports Grille, Spoiler, Skirts, Silver rim, Deluxe Console


$9,350

2006 Mazda DemioAuto, 5 door hatch, 57,000 kms, ABS, air conditioning,

airbags, chain driven, immaculate vehicle

$13,995

2004 Mazda 6 Ltd2.3L auto, leather, sunroof, climate air

conditioning, bodykit, alloys, high spec

$12,995

2004 Ford Falcon XR64L auto, alloys, air conditioning, cruise control,

rear spoiler, very well cared for local vehicle

$11,650

2004 Suzuki Aerio1.8L auto, alloys, bodykit, tinted windows,

55,000 kms, 5 door hatch, bulletproof driving


AppraisedUsed Vehicles

5 SPEED MANUAL10 ON DISPLAY!

10 ON DISPLAY!

20 IN STOCK



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


MARQUE OF EXCELLENCE

FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENT

Centred

Left Align




Right Align


FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENT

Centred

Left Align




Right Align

ONE BIG thank you FROM YOUR HOLDEN DEALER

BARINA CDAUTO from RSP

CRUZE EQUIPEAUTO from RSP

CAPTIVA 5 LT AUTO PETROL from RSP

COLORADO 4X2 LTMANUAL CREWCAB from RSP

$18990 $24990 $30990 $36990+ on roads + on roads + on roads + on roads


A Te Puke aviation enthusiast is on cloud nine after soaring the

Tauranga skies at more than 600 km/h in an ex-military fi ghter jet.Stuart Law rode shotgun in XX Aviation’s

Aero L29 Delfi n fi ghter jet last week as it thundered above Tauranga – in a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I was over the moon because my grand-dad was in the aviation sector in World War II in the Pacifi c as an engineer – and I like fl ying when I can.

“I love planes, I love cars and I love fl ying. It is defi nitely a dream come true.”

The fl ight was made possible after Stuart won a Farmer Autovillage promotion introducing their new Fiat and Alfa Romeo range. Anyone who purchased a Fiat or Alfa Romeo before October went into the draw for the octane-fuelled experience.

But never in his wildest dreams did Stuart imagine he’d be fi rmly strapped into

the cockpit of the Czechoslovakian-made L-29 Delfi n jet.

The L-29 Delfi n was made by Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody in 1973 and can reach a top speed of 820 km/h – or three-quarters of the speed of sound.

Taking off from Tauranga Airport, the plane headed across the city before head-ing out to sea for high altitude aerobatic manoeuvres, such as barrel rolls and loops in a whirlwind 20 minutes.

XX Aviation pilot and owner Peter Meadows says it is great to be able to offer Stuart the fl ight, as New Zealand’s fi rst certifi cated adventure aviation business.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to do this,” says Peter.

The pilot of 30 years, along with busi-ness partners Matt McLaughlin and Warren Banks, purchased the Czech fi ghter jet early this year. It is one of only three fi ghter jets operating adventure fl ights in New Zealand.

Jet racing sky high

By Luke Balvert

Fighter jet winner Stuart Law and Farmer Autovillage group general manager Warren Carter ahead of the fl ight. Photo Bruce Barnard

T H E V E H I C L E F I N A N C E S P E C I A L I S T S


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

The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.

T h e L i m i T e d e d i T i o n

WRX N1WRCHistory in tHe re-Making

$54,990*$54,990*N1WRC onLyN1WRC onLy

*


WRX N1WRCHistory in tHe re-Making

$54,990*$54,990$54,990*N1WRC $$$54,99054,99054,990***$$$54,99054,99054,990onLyN1WRCN1WRCN1WRCN1WRC $$$$$$$$$ononLLLLyyononN1WRCN1WRCN1WRCN1WRCN1WRCN1WRCN1WRCN1WRCN1WRC onLy

*


3 3 3 3 3 3 YEARSYEARSYEARSYEARSYEARSYEARS 2 2 2 2 2 2 YEARSYEARSYEARSYEARSYEARSYEARSwarranty unlimiteD KmS nOrmally 3 yearS

SerViCe Plan3 yearS/50,000Km 1 1 1 1 1 1 YEARYEARYEARYEARYEARYEARwOFaa

rOaDSerViCe

The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.The Subaru Christmas Countdown.5 5 5 YEARSYEARSYEARS 4 4 4 YEARSYEARSYEARS 3 3 3 YEARSYEARSYEARS 2 2 2 YEARSYEARSYEARS

warranty unlimiteD KmS nOrmally 3 yearS

SerViCe Plan3 yearS/50,000Km

new Car regiStratiOn1 1 1 YEARYEARYEARwOFaa

rOaDSerViCe

Over $3,500 additional value at no extra cost on models shown till 24 December.

The real deal in performance

The real deal in SAFETY

*

POWERFULBOXER ENGINE

SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

AGILE AND RESPONSIVE WITH OPTIMUM BALANCE AND CONTROL, DELIVERING A REAL DRIVING EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

The real deal in performance

The real deal in SAFETY

*

VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL

MAXIMUM 5-STAR ANCAP SAFETY

WE’VE PLANNED EVERYTHING FOR YOU. BUILDING ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY INTO EVERY SUBARU WITH 5-STAR SAFETY ACROSS THE ENTIRE RANGE.

bd6dec

Documents

year michael

toyota racing series

challenging series

national formula ford

expensive series

toyota race series

fi ve round toyota series

single seat formula