bd 30/11/12

LIFTOUT

The Bay’s largest circulating, most read newspaper.63,430 copies

Friday 30 November 2012 Friday 30 November 2012Friday 30 November 2012

Yes – it’s a Corolla … but not as we know it 2013 Toyota Corolla – see page 4

Grinning and bearing

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The Weekend Sun Bay Driver Friday 30 November 2012 Friday 30 November 2012Friday 30 November 2012

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 Caro Leuschke 027 578 0035email: [email protected]

For editorial and news tips email: [email protected]

Kia is set to accelerate the pace of new model introductions by launching 51 all-new or updated models internationally over the next fi ve years.

The new model roll-out began this month with the New Zealand launch of the new Kia Sorento R, which comes with an all-new chassis, suspension, revised styling and greater specifi cation levels, yet with prices up to $500 lower than the previous model.

At least fi ve brand new Kia models are planned for 2013, along with refreshes to existing models, with several earmarked for release in New Zealand.

Todd McDonald, general manager of Kia Motors New Zealand, says the pace of new models coming in the next fi ve years is “breathtaking”.

“The health of any car company is often measured by its ability to create exciting new models that resonate with buyers and Kia has been among the leaders in this respect over recent years, but the latest launch strategy takes the company into a different league”.

“I am continually impressed at Kia’s capacity to re-invigorate so many models in its line-up in such a short time. It’s a real tribute to the innovation, energy and the

signifi cant investment made by Kia into its R&D programmes and advanced manufac-turing systems at its factories around the world.”

Todd says the past year has probably seemed slow by Kia’s standards, with only one new model launched in New Zealand and a handful of others internationally and in its domestic market. But that was just the calm before the new product storm.

Among new vehicles in the pipeline are an all-new mid-size sedan, new compact people mover, new crossover vehicle and new three-door sports model.

Kia is also looking to introduce its fi rst all-electric car for export markets as part of its environmental initiatives.

Kia is increasing its R&D budget in 2013 to US$2.52billion to support its new model programme, with the develop-ment of improved technologies and greater effi ciencies.

At around 6% of sales revenue, Kia’s R&D spend ratio is among the highest of any car manufacturer in the world.

That investment is one of the keys to the strong growth achieved by Kia Motors in markets around the world, even during tough economic times.

The Kias are coming

The new Kia Sorento is the precursor of more than 50 new models to be launched internationally by Kia over

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Self-proclaimed ‘Mountie’ Roger Matthews may not live in the seaside suburb today, but he credits growing up in the area as giving him his love for all things motoring.

Roger is probably best known for his sales role with Bay Nissan, which after almost 20 years he now heads at Farmer Auto Village. But his personal love goes well beyond the tried and trusted Japanese brand.

Ironically for a car sales manager, Roger’s fi rst love and fi rst vehicle was of the two-wheeled variety – a 125 Yamaha trail bike he bought off Bill Holmes at Mount Motorcycles in 1975.

“I just liked motorcy-cles for some reason and I’ve had them all my life. I’ve always had a motorcycle.”

Roger describes the appeal of bikes as being about “pleasure”, saying he hits the open road almost every weekend and especially loves his 1098 Ducati – which he had customised when he bought it fi ve years ago.

“If you take the power to weight ratio it’s more than a dragster. It will wheel stand in any gear without even making it want to do it. Just open the throttle and it will want to do it,

but of course I’m very sensible.”When it comes to cars Roger is a big fan of the American variety - something he says he got the bug for while

growing up in the Mount, when the place was fi lled in summers with

American cars and hot rods.After tagging along to motor racing events

with his father, who was on duty as a St John’s offi cer, Roger got a taste for drag racing – something he got into in the early-1980s with his customised HZ Holden Panel

Van which he raced with its customised 350 Chev engine with a 350 turbo transmis-sion.

Roger has owned a series of American cars over the years, includ-ing a 1964 Chev Impala,

and was on the look-out for another when he fell under the spell of a

“beautiful” Daimler 5.4 V12 he had traded about four years ago. After spending about $12,000 on repairs he has the car in great con-dition and plans on keeping it for a long time.

But when it comes to reliability he says Nissan wins hands down, describing the Nissans he has owned as “pretty bulletproof, you just drive them and drive them and drive them – I’ve never had one break down on me”.

From two wheels to four

By Hamish Carter

years he now heads at Farmer Auto Village. But his personal love

wheeled variety – a

Mount Motorcycles

Van which he raced with its customised 350 Chev engine with a 350 turbo transmis-sion.

owned a series of American cars over the years, includ-

and was on the

The Kias are coming

Drag racing and American cars have been a long love for Roger Matthews, who has lots of great memories drag racing his beloved customised HZ Holden Panel Van in the early-

1980s with its customised 350 Chev engine.

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SPECS

Following on from the successful launch of the ’86 in August, Toyota are now creating even more of a stir

on the global market with the all-new 2013 Corolla.

This is the 11th Generation Corolla, the world’s biggest selling car of all time with 39 million sold worldwide since it was launched 40 years ago, and it’s an absolute stunner! At the risk of causing offence to existing Corolla owners, the new model has gone from a slightly boring ‘car for all

people’ to a stimulating and, dare we say, dynamic vehicle that performs well beyond expectations.

Bay Driver took the GLX Corolla for a bit of a spin last week. So, where better to test the claimed ‘enhanced handling’ than a quick run up to the top of the Minden? Suffi ce to say that the promotional material we were given alluding to the Corolla’s “dynamic sportiness” was pretty much on the money.

Better on the insideThe sharp-eyed among you will

have noticed the TV ad for the new Corolla which features a cat who can’t stay away from the car, even when his life is at risk. This is meant to emphasise the marketing wizards’ slogan … “Feels good inside”. Love or hate the ad, the cat is also right on the money because this impres-sive car feels better than good – it actually feels ‘right’.

The fresh, new styling extends from the aerodynamic exterior design to a smart, sporty and supremely comfortable interior space. Seats are contoured in all the right places to sup-port and cocoon and are also height adjustable in the front. Other improvements include a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and phone control functions, and the new horizontal layout for the instrument panel on the

dash, which is a very sleek arrangement. Com-bined with the three-ring speedo, tachometer and fuel gauge display and an uncluttered console, the driver’s zone is ideal.

Other ‘bells and whistles’ include Bluetooth phone, iPod/MP3 player dock, traction and stability control and cruise control. Three-point seat belts and Isofi x points are also fi tted throughout, while safety has been ramped up even more than on the previous model with a brand new brake override system installed. But possibly the biggest new feature of them all is the integrated reversing camera (in GLX, Levin & Levin ZR models) – a bonus that’s proving to be a big drawcard with most buyers.

The ‘E’ PackageToyota claim that the new Corolla is

designed to improve pleasure and stimulate emotion …. a concept they call creating the ‘E Value”. The E’s in question being Emotional, Environmental, Effi ciency and Excellent Value for Money. Having put the GLX through its paces, it would be fair to say that the emo-tional part of that equation is well and truly sorted!

Yes, this car defi nitely feels good inside, but get behind the wheel and you will fully appre-ciate what the boffi ns are talking about with their ‘E Value’. Responsiveness and accelera-tion are impressive on the fl at, but introduce a hill, and the Corolla positively pounces into the climb, cornering with agility and a sure-footed grip. That same power was also noticeable when merging with fast-moving traffi c from an on-ramp, while the superb

handling can be attributed in part to the lower centre of gravity created by the new dynamic exterior design.

This improved performance is the result of matching Toyota’s proven 1.8 litre VVTi engine to the all-new 7 speed CVT transmis-sion with sport sequential mode. Talk about a whole new experience for Corolla drivers! Not only does this combination deliver noticeably more power, it also reduces fuel consumption to 6.6 litres / 100 km in the model tested. Reaching the top of the Minden came far too soon for us!

Selling like ‘hot cakes’With 35 new Corolla’s sold in just four

weeks, the Pacifi c Toyota sales team are understandably buzzing. “Customers are loving the sensational new look and smooth performance of this Corolla,” says Sales Man-ager, Chris Churchward. “It must be pushing the right buttons, because they all come back from their test drives smiling.

But as with most popular new things, stock is moving fast. “Buyers who would like to take delivery of their new Corolla before Christmas are advised to see us within the next week,” says Chris.

There are four models in the 2013 Corolla range, from the GX in manual or auto, to the top of the range, Levin ZR, which comes with a glass panorama roof, leather trim and custom alloys. The smiles may also be the result of some pretty sharp pricing on the new models, with the GLX we drove competitively priced at $37,490 plus on road costs.

This 40 year old has had more than a facelift

2013 Toyota Corolla GLX

Engine: 1.8 Litre VVTi

Power: 103kW @ 6400rpm

Torque: 173Nm @ 4000 rpm

Transmission: 7 Speed CVT Auto with Sports

ModeSafety: 9 airbags, Brake Override System,

Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control

Additional Features: Bluetooth/Audio System

with iPod and USB Input, Leather Steering

Wheel, Reversing Camera

Fuel consumption: 6.6L/100km (claimed)

Price: $37,490 +ORC

Test Drive at: Pacifi c Toyota, cnr Elizabeth St

& Cameron Rd, Tauranga. Ph: 07 578 1099

The all-new Toyota Corolla GLX delivers genuine value for money with improved performance and comfort.


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Jandals, skirts, singlets and sunnies are becoming more prevalent in the Bay as summer approaches – great news for the thousands of holiday-makers who routinely fl ock to the

area for fun in the sun.Sadly, though, it’s not great news for New

Zealand Rookie Driver title 2012 NZRC Open Class 2WD Championship winner David Holder, who will bear an uncomfort-able task on December 9.

On that day, the hotshot racer tipped for big things will walk to the top of Mount Maunganui as Stadium Cars’ mascot ‘Jack’ in a bid to raise money for Starship Children’s Hospital.

David, dressed in the cumbersome costume nearing seven kilograms in weight, will be accompanied on his trek by a minder and buckets to collect donations along the way.

Stadium Cars Tauranga owner Carin Arun-del, whose fi ve-year-old son was admitted to the Auckland hospital in an induced coma at just nine weeks of age, says David will fi nd it tough getting to the top of the mountain in the suit, which includes round soles and a jiggling head piece that allows the wearer to look out of only one eye hole at a time.

Stadium Cars will also be donating $500 from each car sold until December 8. So far, the total amount from this part of the promotion totals thousands of dollars.

Jack will be out in force on the city’s streets in the coming weeks seeking donations, and Carin says the bear is more than willing to have his photo taken with interested young-sters.

Donations can be made online at www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/Stadium-CarsTaurangaLtd or at Stadium Cars, 08 Cameron Rd, Tauranga. By Ben Guild

Will Holder be able to bear it?

Stadium Cars’ mascot ‘Jack’ has quite a trek ahead of him. Inset: David Holder.

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Cnr. Cameron Road & 3rd Ave TaurangaPh. 07 578 1378 www.tmccars.co.nz

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2010 Suzuki Jimny 1.3 5 SpeedNZ Car, Airbags, Air Con, Alloys, Towbar, Top Spec, Only 3,000 kms

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2003 Holden Commodore Executive S/WNZ Car, 3.8 Auto, Airbags, Air Con, Very Tidy Wagon, Only 117,000 kms

2004 Ford Courier XL D/Cab 2.5NZ Car, 5 Speed Diesel Turbo, Air Con, 2 Owners, Ready for Work

2011 Kia Picanto 5 Door AutoNZ Car, 6 Airbags, Air Con, Alloys, 1 Owner, Tinted Windows, Only 15,000 kms

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2012 Kia Rio EX AutoNZ Car, 6 Airbags, Climate Air, Cruise Control, Blue Tooth, Parking Sensors, Only 6,200 kms, Balance of New Car Warranty

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2004 Toyota Rav4 5 Door 2.4 AutoNZ Car, Airbags, Alloys, Towbar, 75,000 kms, Very Popular

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2003 Mazda MPV Sport 2.3 Auto7 Seater, Airbags, Air Con, Alloys, Body Kit, Auto Doors, Black Trim

2012 Kia Sorento EX 2.2 Diesel 4x4NZ Car, Auto, 7 Seater, 6 Airbags, Dual Climate Air, Only 72,000 kms, Save over $10,000 on New Price, Balance of New Car Warranty

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116 Hewletts Road,Mt Maunganui, Tauranga CityTel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

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

Visitus.

116 Hewletts Road,Mt Maunganui, Tauranga CityTel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook

116 Hewletts Road,Mt Maunganui, Tauranga CityTel: 07 578 6017 www.farmerautovillage.co.nz Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Facebook

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The all new Dodge Journey. The 7-seater with style.The Dodge Journey has put an end to the seven-seat, family stereotype. From the designer interior, more powerful 3.6 Litre V6 Pentastar engine to the multi function touchscreen entertainment system it’s a whole new adventure in style. Test drive a Dodge Journey today, call 0800 NZ DODGE, text DODGE to 244* or visit dodge.co.nz

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Get summer sorted with a free Outback Summer Roadie Pack valued at over $2,500*

*Offer based on retail price excluding on-road costs with no other offers included. Offer excludes lease, fleet, government & rental purchases. Summer Pack has a RRP value of $2,578.10 which includes accessories & fitment. Offer ends 23rd December 2012.

includes: • Travel Fridge • Roof Rack Kit • Cargo Tray • Rear Step Panel - Resin • Weather Shields • Front and Rear Mudflaps • Mat Set • Picnic Rug • Travel Flask

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Wellington-born and raised Dave Yardley spent 22 years in Australia starting up his own successful auto electrical and

mechanical workshop before returning home to do the same in Tauranga.

Three years since establishing Autospark at 177 11th Avenue, the business speaks for itself with its top reputation.

Qualifi ed auto electrician Dave, together with qualifi ed mechanic Matt Nottle and automotive technician Tim McGregor, provide all automotive repairs and servic-ing you could want from warrants to cam belts, through to any electrical issues from wiring or airbag faults to brakes, steering and suspension problems.

“But from now on through to about March, air conditioning makes up a lot of

our work as the temperatures heat up.”Over the winter problems with the air con-

ditioning system tend to go unnoticed, but he says it is pretty obvious in summer when there is no cool air coming out of the vents. Dave says a typical air conditioning system will work well for four – six years, before problems cause it to gradually lose effi ciency.

Problems can vary from a lack of refriger-ant gas to a mechanical fault or an electrical problem – all of which require an expert’s help to fi x.

“We are all about trying to give great value for money and service with a smile. We stand behind all the work we do. After running my own businesses for about 20 years I know just how important it is to look out for your customers.”

To help drivers get their car in tip-top con-dition for the summer the team will be open over the holiday period.

Keeping you cool on the road

By Hamish Carter

Service with a smile: Austospark owner Dave Yardley checks car air conditioning gas pressure. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

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The wolf in a sheep’s clothing. Standing next to it on the yard – this

was the statement that defi ned the 2010 FPV F6 E.

With 19” shadow chromed wheels, smartly fi nished body kit and boot-lip spoiler I strug-gled to see the sheep, but it is true this is the business class of Ford’s performance line-up.

The F6 E model was released in 2009 as an upmarket F6. This car is one for the driver who doesn’t want to give up the comforts that a sports car usually takes away and doesn’t scream ‘look at my bad ass ride’ at the traffi c lights. Fully dressed leather interior, sports leather steering wheel, alloy foot pedals and dark walnut wood grain trim that defi ne the cabin - it’s easy to see why the E stands for executive. This particular car has tinted windows – in paint colour ‘Silhouette Black’ I would insist on it.

Underneath the bonnet Ford’s F6 E is pow-ered by a turbocharged 4.0 litre inline six-speed automatic gearbox and independent suspen-sion hardware, that’s 310kW at 5500rpm and

565Nm of torque spread between 1950rpm and 5200rpm, only fi ve kilowatts less than the supercharged V8-powered GT E! But with 14 Newton-metres more torque.

With the very clever sport shift program and a tiptronic mode, the ZF transmission makes fast driving easy. Left in drive, it’s just like any regular automatic, But if you were to knock the lever over to the side, it holds the gears longer and shifts quicker, keeping the engine on boost.

Never fear the turbo. The turbo in the FG series of Falcon has stood the test of time and have been a reliable, proven and robust engine. Fuel is averaging 12.9L/100km’s – not bad, which will have you paying a bit more than your average Falcon at the pump – but with the performance produced by this kind of machine you’re hardly going to get the economy of a Fiesta. This particular model has standard Brembo brakes (six-piston calipers and 355mm rotors on the front, four-piston calipers and 330mm calipers on the rear) are standard equipment, an option on the standard F6, worth $4856.

Technical specifi cations all said and done – how does it drive?

As I take off down Hewletts Road and head toward Tauranga the fi rst thing I notice is how quiet the F6 E is. I’m starting to get the sheep reference right up until I take off from the traf-fi c lights, the growl is well and truly impressive, I’m using the tiptronic and am amazed at the quick, smooth and punchy gear changes the ZF transmission allows. Approaching the exit to Sulphur Point an L-Plate wearing hatchback swerves into the exit lane – I thank my stars I’ve got the brembo brakes, there’s a saying about ‘stopping on a dime’, I think I actually have!

On the open road the acceleration is effortless, again the transmission impresses me, the ability to draw out the gears going up the Kaimai’s is giving me complete control as the F6 E takes on the bends with ease and staying tight to the road. I fi nd the whole thing quite therapeutic and relaxing, I don’t have a racing or bucket seat to try and get comfortable in, the suspen-sion is made for the business class, passenger comfort is taken into account and I’m not feel-ing every wee bump in the road. The electric seating controls allow me to contour the driver’s seat to my precise preference – yet I am behind the wheel of a performance Ford.

The hardest part about driving this car is giving the keys back to the boss.

How does it fare against the competition? I dare not rubbish the competitors but with easy to use controls, overall dimension and comfort, Ford’s F6 E just feels better. I would go so far to say that it’s on par with any Euro-pean luxury sedan – for the price tag you get all the fruit and you’re not paying six fi gures for it.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a high spec performance vehicle that ticks all the boxes regarding safety, performance and one that looks stunning – the FPV F6 E is an absolute cracker and the best part about it is your local residents association won’t suspect you’re an unruly hoon.

This car was close to $90,000 new, at $54,990 with a new WOF and full groom represents fantastic buying – forget the wolf in the sheep’s clothing analogy – this vehicle is one hell of a ride, a mean machine and absolutely looks the part – call Mike Wilson at Ultimate Motor Group for a test drive today on 07 579 0180 or 022 657 4816.

By Mike Wilson

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

2010 FPV F6 E23,000km’s

$54,990 drive away


Automotive Trade Directory

The country’s top drifters will fi nd themselves facing a brand new

temporary course when they arrive in Whangarei for the second round

of the 2012/13 Cody’s D1NZ National Drifting Championship

this weekend. The tightly-looped course is

in transport operator’s Toll’s yard on Rewa Rewa Rd and brings the event closer to the centre of the city than previ-ous courses at Ruakaka and Port Nikau.

“That’s one of the keys when we are looking for venues,” says D1NZ CEO Brendon White. “Drifting is all about putting on a show and if you can take that show to where the people are, all the better.”

Particularly in Whanga-rei, where the sport fi rst found its feet in this country thanks to local man Justin Rood.

Justin and a group of friends set up the country’s fi rst drift team (Driftcorp) and over the years the now 35-year-old has mentored a number of Northland drivers including Whangarei’s Daniel ‘Fanga Dan’ Woolhouse, Dargaville’s Gary ‘Gaz’ Whiter and now Waiotira’s Robbee Nelson.

Daniel (Castrol Edge Holden Com-modore V8) is the best placed local driver heading into the Whangarei round after fi nishing a close second to defending series champion Curt Whittaker (The Mount Shop 2JZ Nissan Skyline) from Auck-

land at the opening round of this season’s Cody’s D1NZ series at Feilding’s Manfeild circuit last month.

Gary, meanwhile, will be the dark horse this weekend, having used the Manfeild round to get to grips with his new, now Chev V8-powered, Tectaloy-backed Nissan S14 V8.

Series young gun, 17-year-old Robbee Nelson (Koba Batteries Nissan S15), is also short of current season form having burst onto the scene with some stirring perfor-mances (including a memorable battle with Gaz Whiter at Ruakaka) last season but struggled with engine issues in his ex Wool-house Nissan S15 at the fi rst 2012/13 series round at Manfeild this year.

More than 60 drifters from as far afi eld as Christchurch have entered this weekend’s Whangarei event, with Curt heading the points standings (by 10 points) over Daniel.

High-profi le Auckland-based interna-tional ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett (Red Bull/Speedhunters Mazda RX7) is third just two points adrift of Daniel and series rookie Ben Belcher (Green Brothers Racing Mazda RX7) from Tauranga is fourth a further 17 points back. The fi eld is split into two categories,

Pro and Pro-Am with Wellington’s Matt Lauder (Nissan 180SX) leading the Pro-Am standings after a dream debut at Manfeild. Second in that category is Auck-land’s Russell Scifl eet and in third is former motorcycle road-racer Sam Smith (Nissan

S15) from Pukekohe. There will be action at the Toll Whangarei

circuit in Saturday and Sunday with gates opening at 9am and proceedings fi nishing each day by 5pm.

Saturday sees practice for both D1 and Pro-Am classes as well as the Pro-Am quali-fying and Top 16 elimination battles, while Sunday has the Pro-Am Top Eight and D1 qualifying and Top 32.

Tickets cost $10 on Saturday and $20 on Sunday. For more information check out the Cody’s D1NZ Facebook page.

2012/13 CODY’S D1NZ NATIONAL DRIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Points after Rnd 1 of 6D1NZ Pro1. Curt Whittaker (Auckland) 102 points2. Fanga Dan Woolhouse (Whangarei) 923. Mad Mike Whiddett (Auckland) 904. Ben Belcher (Tauranga) 735. Daynom Templeman (Auckland) 716. Cole Armstrong (Tauranga) 64 Pro-Am1. Matt Lauder (Wellington) 112 pts2. Russell Sifl eet (Auckland) 913. Sam Smith (Pukekohe) 824. Vincent Langhorn (Auckland) 75. Michael Thornley (Auckland ) 696. Gareth Grove (Auckland) 65CalendarRnd 1: Oct 26-27 2012 Manfeild Feilding Rnd 2: Dec 01-02 2012 WhangareiRnd 3: Jan 19-20 2013 Tauranga Rnd 4: March 01-02 2013 Hampton Downs incl. Legends ChallengeRnd 5 March 30-31 2013 Powerbuilt Tools Race-way @ Ruapuna Park ChristchurchRnd 6: April-May 2013 Grand Final Pukekohe Park Raceway

NZ drifters to test new course

The tightly-looped course is in transport operator’s Toll’s yard on Rewa Rewa Rd and brings the event closer to the centre of the city than previ-ous courses at Ruakaka and

venues,” says D1NZ CEO

found its feet in this country thanks to local man Justin Rood.

tional ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett (Red Bull/Speedhunters Mazda RX7) is third just two points adrift of Daniel and series rookie Ben Belcher (Green Brothers Racing Mazda RX7) from Tauranga is fourth a further 17 points back. The fi eld is split into two categories,

Pro and Pro-Am with Wellington’s Matt Lauder (Nissan 180SX) leading the Pro-Am standings after a dream debut at Manfeild. Second in that category is Auck-land’s Russell Scifl eet and in third is former motorcycle road-racer Sam Smith (Nissan

land at the opening round of this season’s Cody’s D1NZ series at Feilding’s

High-profi le Auckland-based interna-


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