New motorsport academy

Napa Auto Parts launches Motorsport Academy

NAPA AUTO PARTS GIVES GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORT COMPETITORS AND RACING STARS OF THE FUTURE THE INSIDE LINE

The Napa Know How Motorsport Academy, accessed via an online portal, will offer insights into the world of driving, race craft, and analysis, plus detailed information on health and nutrition, commercial and sponsorship, and media from experts in the field not normally available to aspiring drivers.

The mentor for the programme is Walkinshaw Andretti United Supercars driver Bryce Fullwood. It will offer tuition, tools, resources, and monthly prizes to help motorsport competitors be the best they can be, on and off the track.

“Motorsport can be a really tricky game to succeed in, and the aim of the academy is to help drivers and teams navigate their way through some of the hazards and get the most out of their careers,” Bryce says.

“They’ll find information from me about race-day preparation, goal-setting, and support networks. There’s also plenty more about sponsorship, media, and health and nutrition.

“It’s not just for young karters who are just starting out; the Napa Know How Motorsport Academy is open to all drivers and teams that have the mentality and drive to make the most of their time in the sport. I feel anyone will be able to get something out of it.”

Enrolment in the academy is free to all racers aged 13 and up. Napa Auto Parts Asia Pacific head of sponsorship Mitchell Wiley says that candidates must simply have a strong desire to succeed in the sport. They could be a teenage karter with eyes on racing in Formula 1 or the Repco Supercars Championship, or they could be an established circuit racer, rally, speedway or drag racing driver, or team owner who takes their motorsport seriously and is looking for an edge over their rivals.

“We are really proud to bring this motorsport initiative to life and encourage all grassroots competitors to sign up,” says Mitchell. “There are already some great resources in the academy, and we will be adding plenty more over the coming months.”

In the US, Napa Auto Parts sponsors Alexander Rossi in the IndyCar Series and Chase Elliott in the Nascar Cup. Locally, the brand supports Walkinshaw Andretti United, and it is leveraging this global and local knowledge to access the best know-how available.

The academy will also offer prizes to help drivers on their way, and one academy member will win an all-expenses-paid trip to New Zealand’s Supercars event at Pukekohe in November. They will spend a day immersed in Walkinshaw Andretti Supercars, giving them unrivalled access to the team, including walking the track with the team, listening into race debriefs, and some moneycan’t-buy race-day privileges.

To register your interest in the Napa Know How Motorsport Academy, visit napa.co.nz/academy.

Bryce Fullwood (right) and 16-year-old Junior Sedan speedway driver Jack Menzies, the academy’s first inductee

Choosing the right battery is more important than ever

CENTURY’S BATTERY FINDER TAKES AWAY THE GUESSWORK

Century’s Battery Fitment Solution will help to future-proof installers by providing an expert battery-matching database and a vehicle-specific fitment guide.

The system allows workshops to easily identify vehicles and presents the battery-replacement options for that vehicle. More important, it also calls up detailed fitment instructions to ensure that the battery is installed correctly.

The ever-increasing complexity of microvoltage systems in modern vehicles, combined with high-demand stop-start systems, makes it critical to ensure that the correct battery is fitted in terms of technology and capacity, and also that specific step-by-step pre- and post-installation procedures are followed during battery replacements. In a nutshell, battery replacement is no longer the simple task it once was.

“All of this extra load on the electrical system means it is critical to not only select the correct battery technology and capacity but also that specific step-by-step, pre- and post-installation procedures are followed during battery replacements,” says Century’s marketing manager for automotive, Australia and New Zealand, Andrew Bottoms. “These steps will help you avoid vehicle damage, loss of system functionality, and even premature battery failure down the track. ‘Near enough’ is no longer good enough when it comes to battery selection.”

Using a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile phone, the fitment solution will identify vehicles by typing in the registration number, VIN, or through a standard make/model search. Once the correct battery has been selected, the system will show the estimated time required to fit the battery into the vehicle, and a detailed step-by-step fitment can be called up. The system will also advise if the Yu-Fit configuration tool is required as part of the battery-replacement process.

For more information or help in using the system, a Century Yuasa representative is just a phone call away on 0800 93 93 93.

Ramp up throttle response with Hulk Professional Series

HULK PROFESSIONAL SERIES QUICK RESPONSE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROLLERS OFFER SIX SWITCHABLE THROTTLE-RESPONSE PROGRAMMES

Hulk Professional Series Throttle Controllers are designed to sharpen up the response of modern vehicles that use fly-by-wire technology instead of the traditional accelerator cable.

Ben Fraser of distributor CoolDrive Auto Parts says that many of these vehicles can experience delays from the moment the accelerator pedal is pressed to the time the signal activates the throttle, which is known as ‘lag’. The Hulk Professional Series Quick Response Electronic Throttle Controllers reduce — and in some applications eliminate — this lag by shortening the response time between the accelerator and throttle.

Six switchable modes — Comfort, Sports, Performance, Automatic, 4x4/Eco, and Standard — and 36 settings are offered within each controller, delivering individual characteristics to cover everything from track performance to towing a heavy trailer. The new Automatic mode takes information from the operator’s driving style and adjusts the response depending on the situation, providing both power and fuel economy when needed.

A brightness sensor adjusts the display according to the amount of ambient light available, and the anti-theft function will allow a vehicle to start and idle but not accelerate without the input of a PIN.

Ben says the Quick Response Electronic Throttle Controllers have a true plug-and-play fitment. They can be installed in as little as five minutes using the included fitting guide. No wiring is required.

The units are available for most vehicle makes and models, with over 35 part numbers. Hulk Professional Series Quick Response Electronic Throttle Controllers make a real difference for drivers towing trailers or caravans, or simply wanting a faster response from a vehicle.

For more details on the new Hulk Professional Series Quick Response Electronic Throttle Controllers and the rest of the Hulk Professional Series range, visit cooldrive.co.nz or a CoolDrive Auto Parts branch.

TRANSFORM YOUR VEHICLE’S DRIVING EXPERIENCE!

QUICK RESPONSE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROLLERS

Applicable for modern vehicles that use “fly-by-wire” throttle technology, in other words, vehicles without an accelerator cable. Most fly-by-wire vehicles have a delay from the moment the accelerator pedal is pressed to the time the signal gets to the throttle, otherwise known as “lag”.

A

AU-AUTO MODE This mode is designed to study your driving style & adjust depending on the situation.

SHORTHENS THE RESPONSE Time between accelerator & throttle.

6

6 DRIVING MODES • Comfort • Sports • Performance • Automatic • 4X4/Eco Fuel Saving • OE MODE

PLUG & PLAY TECHNOLOGY No wiring required. Installed in 5 minutes.