Bay Driver 9 May 2014

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Friday 9 May 2014

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Friday 9 May 2014

Friday 9 May 2014

Bookings and enquiries contact Lucy Pattison on 07 578 0030 email: lucy@thesun.co.nz For editorial and news tips email: hamish@thesun.co.nz

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phone 07 578 0030 fax 07 571 1116 email ads@thesun.co.nz No.1 The Strand, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 www.sunlive.co.nz

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Riding the rough and seal

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Weekend Wheels Bay of Plenty: May 18: Autocross and Motorkhana: ASB Baypark Interested in trying your hand at motorsport? The perfect opportunity to test your driving skills is being held at ASB Baypark’s pits on May 18, with Motorsport Bay of Plenty’s Motorkhana and Autocross series. The day-long event, which includes a Motorkhana section in the morning and an Autocross in the afternoon, offers newcomers to motorsport a chance to try events ENDS 31 by Te Puke out with the use of Ford Laser,MAY supplied Partsworld ($10 fee).

For details, call Linda Loughlin 07 578 0479 or visit www.mbop.org.nz

While most Motorsport Bay of Plenty drivers were tackling Oropi Gorge Rd, club member Wayne Pittams claimed second in the 4WD class at the Piakonui Road Rally Sprint. Photo by Jason Byrne www.alittlebitsideways.co.nz

Tauranga driver Phil Campbell is hoping for better luck at Rally Otago this weekend after losing his lead in the final of three timed rounds of Sunday’s Oropi Gorge Road Tarmac Sprints.

But Phil says his focus at the Oropi event was on familiarising himself with the new Mitsubishi Evo 9 he debuted in Whangarei last month, at the opening of the six-round Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championships.

“It’s the way it goes sometimes,” says Phil, who has had his share of misfortunes – including blowing his clutch on the opening day in Whangarei, which cost him third place overall.

He eventually finished in ninth place in the 4WD class by taking a considered approach he plans to maintain in Otago.

Last year Phil won the 2WD class in Otago. But with

June 7-8: Top kart clash: Fagan’s Valley stiffer competition in the top class, he’s focused on careful The country’s top karters will converge on Fagans driving to make sure they finish and earn points.

Valley in Te Puke for the fourth of the six-round Rotax Motorsport Bay of Plenty secretary Linda Loughlin says Max Challenge. Karters are battling for a place at the everyone who took part in the inaugural Oropi Gorge MICRA ENDS MAY 31 challenge’s international grand final to compete against sprint on Sunday loved it and the club hopes to make it ENDS MAY the31 best from around the world. an annual event.

For details, visit www.kartsport.org.nz Linda says Phil Jones particularly enjoyed the event, which saw him snatch the win from Phil Campbell, who Beyond the Bay: had been leading the three-round competition.

“Phil Jones has wanted to beat him for quite some time May 10-11: Diesel, Demons and Daredevils: Taupo and he had a more powerful car, so he was really deterMotorsport Park. mined.”

Petrolheads of all varieties are in for a treat at Taupo MICRA Tauranga driver Wayne Pittams missed the Oropi event MAY 31the annual event, which boasts a full this ENDS weekend with to race near Matamata in the Piakonui Road Rally Sprint, MICRA programme of entertainment from truck racing, driftthe second round of the Northern Rally Sprint Series, ENDS MAY 31 ing and drags to hot rods, motorbikes, side cars, classics where he finished second in the 4WD class. and much more.+ORC Delighted with the result in the series,FROM Wayne’s using it For details, visit www.tauporacetrack.co.nz to prepare for the Extreme Rally Series starting Queens Birthday Weekend.

By Hamish Carter

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Friday 9 May 2014

Friday 9 May 2014

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Bay Driver

Everything you need When Sideline Sid was called upon to take a Highlander for a spin, he was somewhat confused, with visions of taking a Southern Super 15 rugby player out for the day or picking up a lost Scotsman.

What he found when he arrived at Pacific Toyota in Cameron Rd was a Toyota Highlander GXL 2WD with the catch phrase: ‘The 2014 Highlander has room for anything but boring’. Our mission was to see if the Highlander GXL lived up to its reputation.

The all new 2014 Highlander comes in a number of different models to suit different lifestyles and budgets. The Highlander 2WD we test-drove is the GXL model, with the All Wheel Drive starting with the GX before moving up to the GXL; then the Limited and top-of-the-range Limited ZR. First impressions are the vehicle is athletic, yet sleek and stylish. The bold, new styling suggests the classic ruggedness of a seven-seater ideally suited for recreation or business. The chiselled large, front grille gives

the Highlander a bold presence on the road, with the two-tone lower bumper presenting a sports appearance.

Large electric retractable exterior mirrors provide a practical touch to the exterior, with the rear spoiler and stylish rear door giving a touch of class.

The stylish appearance continues inside the Highlander. Sitting in the driver’s seat, the leather steering wheel comes with an array of audio and multi information display controls. The information systems sit firmly in the middle of the dashboard, and with the designated space under the audio controls gives plenty of room to harness imported technology such as i-pods, particularly impressing the reviewer.

Dual climate zone air conditioning, with independent automatic air-con for the second and third seats, provides all the comfort you could wish for during long distance travel. Cruise control and wireless central locking smart keys continue the Highlander’s individuality. The Highlander has interior storage in spades, with a 24 litre consul between the driver’s

SPECS ghlander Toyota Hi

GXL 2WD

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and front passenger seats, which is big enough for the largest handbag or manbag. Add in a large, lockable glovebox, cup and bottle holders along with front and rear door pockets, and the Highlander is a very practical vehicle.

Out on the open road, the 3.5 litre petrol engine surged forward impressively each time the accelerator was pushed further to the floor. The six-speed automatic transmission with artificial intelligence provides better uphill acceleration and increased engine braking downhill. The Highlander’s powered-assisted brakes give genuine braking control with the Anti-Lock Braking System, Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Control providing additional support. The Hill Start Assist controls make taking off on a steep inclines a breeze.

As with all Toyota vehicles, safety is an absolute priority. A 5 Star Ancap rating provides proof of the numerous safety features, starting with multiple airbags for the driver and passengers alike. Adjustable front seat anchors are complemented with child seat fixing points. The front seat belts come with

pre-tensioners and force limiters, while the front headrests have vertical adjustments.

However, it is the practical multi-function second-row and third-row seating that really caught the reviewer’s eye. The generous size second-row seats with manual and recline functions give plenty of room and space, while rear seats provide a 60/40 split. Laying down the rear seats provides a huge cargo space for five passengers – and with rear seats in operation, the Highlander becomes a comfortable seven-seater.

Functionality of the Highlander is also impressive. It’s a breeze to drive around town and the reversing monitor makes it easy to park, even in tight spots. Out on the open road it takes seven passengers and luggage with ease. However, it comes into its own as a five-seater, with a huge cargo space for extended road or sporting trips around our beautiful country.

Reluctantly handing the Highlander GXL back to Pacific Toyota, Sideline Sid reflected on the Toyota slogan suggesting the Highlander is anything but boring. What he found is a stylish, easy to drive vehicle, with a heap of storage space that has all the bells and whistles and charisma expected from Toyota excellence.

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Mixed sales in Western Bay Vehicle sales in the Western Bay continued a strong trend in April, but some car dealerships in the region say poor weather and holidays had slowed the lift since Christmas.

Nationwide figures for new vehicle registrations during April jumped seven per cent on the same period last year, but dealerships contacted by Bay Driver announced mixed results.

Motor Industry Association CEO David Crawford says last month was the strongest April for sales since 1982, with 8729 new registrations – continuing the strong lift in sales for the year to date –seeing registrations climb 13 per cent on the same time last year.

Tauranga’s Pacific Toyota general manager Mark Mills is happy with continuing strong sales, which mirror the national climb, saying a particular lift in commercial vehicle sales in the Hilux and Hiace range had been boosted by growth in the building trade.

Mark says new models in the Toyota range are also in hot demand, including the RAV 4 and the Highlander, and he’s positive sales will continue to lift.

Nationwide, Toyota continues to dominate sales with 16 per cent of all sales in the year to date, followed by Ford (11 per cent) and Holden (10 per cent).

Ultimate Motor Group managing director John Cross says the dealership had a reasonable month, with sales in line with last April – an experience shared by many other dealers he’d spoken to.

“Sales boomed away in the beginning of the month, but fell off with Easter and the wet weather,” says John, who expects a strong year overall, with sales up 10-15 per cent. By Hamish Carter

Friday 9 May 2014

Friday 9 May 2014

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Riding high for Ryan All fired up to make his mark in the national motocross season, it looked like it was almost over just after it began for Tauranga’s Ryan Metz.

But two months on since the start of the season in Timaru, where he finished the round 16th out of 30, he’s bounded up the ladder to end the four-round series just off the podium in fourth place in the 125cc class.

“I wasn’t even thinking about making the top 10 for the series,” says the 22-year-old, who got serious about his motocross last season after a few years off.

Mount Maunganui’s Cody Cooper retained the MX1 crown he reclaimed in the championships last year, dominating the series winning nine of the 12 races.

His New Zealand Motocross Championships season picked up dramatically at the second round in Tokoroa, where a focus on smooth riding helped him finish third overall for the day.

“I’m pretty stoked at finishing fourth,” says the apprentice engineer. “I got a bit lucky with some of the other guys having problems and crashing out, but that is the way it goes in motocross.”

Tauranga’s Ryan Metz made dramatic improvements during the season to finish fourth in the 125cc class at the New Zealand Motocross Championships.

Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

Among those who’ve had their share of crashes and problems this season is Te Puke’s Logan Blackburn, who saw his patchy season continue at the final round in Taupo with a crash breaking his collarbone at the start of the second race.

Logan, who was runner-up last season, finished third with 190 points.

The class was won by Hamilton’s Josiah Natze, who racked up 289 points, with runner-up Hadleigh Knight of Atiamuri earning 215 points.

Tauranga’s Aaron Wiltshier also finished the 125cc class strongly, as the second best performer for the Taupo round with a fourth and two second

placings, helping him claim sixth place overall for the season with 144 points.

Ryan, who collected 158 points for the season, attributes his success to focusing on fitness and regular training on the bike.

“I’m going to take a bit of a break from riding over the next few months, but I’ll definitely be back next season to give it another good go. Maybe I’ll move up to MX2 [the 250cc class]; I haven’t decided yet.”

Ryan, who rides his Yamaha with the support of family firm Metz Engineering and Bayride Motorcycles, downplays his long-term motocross prospects, saying it’s a bit harder to balance his riding with full-time work and he “just loves doing it for the fun”.

By Hamish Carter

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The X240 4WD

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