Bay Driver 23 March 2018

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Friday 23 March 2018

March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

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Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Weekend Sun Friday 23 MarchThe 2018

Bay Driver

Weekend Wheels March 21-25: Repco Beach Hop, Whangamata

The Repco Beach Hop returns to Whangamata from March 21-25. New Zealand’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll party includes 20 bands and more than 1000 registered hot rods, classic cars, street machines and muscle cars plus motorcycles, rock ‘n’ roll dancing, a Retro Pin Up Show, Junkyard Fashion Show, Hop Idol, Retro Caravan Show and Nostalgia Fair. The event got underway with the Go Waihi Warm Up Party on Wednesday, with a variety of social events and markets on offer in Whangamata on Friday, March 23. The main event is on Saturday, March 24 with the grand parade at 10.15am followed by various car shows and live music. The event finishes on Sunday, March 25 with an auto swap meet, Nostalgia Fair, top shoot out and final prizegiving. Entry is free for the general public.

March 24: Round 5 Altherm New Zealand Jetsprint Championship, Meremere Sprint Bowl

The methanol sucking monsters are back! If you love speed, the smell of methanol and the vibration of V8s then you won’t want to miss the action at Round 5 of New Zealand Jetsprint Championship at the Meremere Sprint Bowl on SH1 on Saturday, March 24 from 9am-5pm. Bring your family, a blanket, sunshade, sun cream, chilly bin and picnic and be entertained by one of the fastest machines on the planet reaching speeds of 140km in two seconds. Food caravans are on site and Eftpos is available at the gate. Tickets are available from www.eventfinda.co.nz Adults 2 , children , family pass 5 , children under five go free.

March 31: North Island Sprint Car Champs, Demolition Derby & South acific S er Saloon shooter Cham s, AS Stadi m at ay ar

An action-packed night of racing with the rescheduled North Island Sprint Car Champs, South Pacific Super Saloon and -shooter Champs, concluding with the Demolition Ramp Derby. The last car moving wins 2 cash and the best stirrer wins cash. Gates open at 5pm and racing starts at . pm. Also racing are sprint cars and saloons. Come early, walk through the pits, meet the drivers and see the race cars. For tickets and information visit www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz Adults 25, seniors and children 5- 5 years , family (two adults plus three children) and children under five attend free.

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If you are into stock car action, this is the night for you. Last season the Super Stock Rumble had 40 super stock cars on the track at once. The Harry Fredrickson Stock Car Gold Cup includes up to 50 stock cars racing for the coveted Gold Cup. Gates open at 5pm and racing starts at . pm. Also racing are sprint cars, super saloon, mini stocks and golden oldie stock cars. Come early, walk through the pits, meet the drivers and see the race cars. For tickets visit www.bayparkspeedway.co.nz Adults 25, seniors and children 5- 5 years , family (2 adults plus three children) and children under five attend free. If you have a vehicle or motorsport listing, please email details to: kerry@thesun.co.nz at least two weeks prior to the event.

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based on published Pricing 1st the January 2018 and Retail only available for sales 1 January 2018 31 March 2018, inclusive. NoOffers deposit weekly paymentsMazda of $95Recommended are based on aRetail Mazda2 GLX effective Manual with Recommended Price (RRP) and abetween $463 Establishment Fee and financed over 260 equal weekly Offers based weekly on published Mazda Recommended Retail PricingGLX effective 1st January 2018 and onlyRetail available for salesand between January 2018Fee andfinanced 31 March 2018, No deposit payments of $95 on aannum. Mazda2 Manual the credit Recommended Price (RRP) a $4631 Establishment over 260inclusive. equal weekly instalments with an interest charge of are justbased 3.9% per Conditions andwith normal and lending credit apply. Go to mazda.co.nz/special_offers for full terms and conditions. No deposit weekly payments $95 are based on per a Mazda2 Manual with the Recommended Retail Price Establishment Fee financed over 260and equal weekly instalments with an interestof charge of just 3.9% annum.GLX Conditions and normal credit and lending credit(RRP) apply.and Go a to$463 mazda.co.nz/special_offers for full terms conditions. instalments with an interest charge of just 3.9% per annum. Conditions and normal credit and lending credit apply. Go to mazda.co.nz/special_offers for full terms and conditions.

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as standard which includes a 5 year unlimited kilometre Factory Warranty and Mazda On Call Roadside Assistance, as well as 3 years or 100,000 kilometres (whichever occurs first) of Genuine Scheduled Servicing at no extra cost. Offers based on published Mazda Recommended Retail Pricing effective 1st January 2018 and only available for sales between 1 January 2018 and 31 March 2018, inclusive. No deposit weekly payments of $95 are based on a Mazda2 GLX Manual with the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) and a $463 Establishment Fee financed over 260 equal weekly instalments with an interest charge of just 3.9% per annum. Conditions and normal credit and lending credit apply. Go to mazda.co.nz/special_offers for full terms and conditions.


The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

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51 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui 07 572 0099 www.carznvanz.co.nz Visit our face book page

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Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Weekend Sun Friday 23 MarchThe 2018

Bay Driver

At home in New Zealand

First impressions count. And the first impression after climbing up and into the DV T Dual Cab te is this is a utility with all the up-todate cockpit luxuries of a modern car. But utes are a different beast. They’re not like modern S Vs that are part car and part station wagon. A utility is a utility. They’re meant to move things, carry things, shift things and do a hard day’s night on the road. The Chinese-built DV T is one of those. It should come e uipped with a high viz vest, a yellow hard hat and a warning sign that says ‘ te at Work’ because it’s a working man and woman’s ride designed to be in tough places that modern S Vs will run away from because they’ll get dirty. So the DV WD T is a hard-working ‘chunky’ ute with jobs to do. But DV hasn’t left out some of the niceties of the modern driving age, including a spacious well-appointed cockpit and five-seater cabin e uipped with the largest CD in-car touch screen you’re likely to see anywhere. At inches this is a big screen and it says much about the DV’s personality. Everything is big. It‘s a utility and that means we’re not mucking around with a small seven-inch

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screen you need glasses to read in some sports car or wannabe off-road S V. It is a great driver asset and it says something has changed inside modern utes. Add in the red highlighter stitching on the TD seats and there is a bit of luxury detail here too So the scene is set. This is how the big boys do a day’s work. And they’ll do it with an eye to some styley touches that make this a bit more than just a workhorse. et’s start it up.

Using a utility

The diesel engine on this model (there are four in the DV range), the TD x manual uxury, gives that familiar diesel rhythmic sound as it starts up. It’s a 2. six-speed manual with a turbo charger on board and it starts with the same familiar diesel sound as any other. Taking the TD out on Hewletts Road from Sheaff Vehicles, there’s a driving lesson to be learned. The T isn’t an S V or just a big car. It is a x dual cab diesel utility. Drivers new to a double cab utility will need to drive them within their performance envelope. The manual transmission is tricky and the engine will redline uickly if drivers apply normal car driving throttle and gear-changing techni ues to the ride. While it isn’t the most powerful or tor ue-heavy ride on the utility block, it still demands driver attention to revs and gear changes to get the best out of it. “Drive it like a truck” was the advice and, taking care with low rev gear changes, the ride became more adept on the busy drive out to Papamoa. While on that new smooth highway it felt stable and solid with great sight lines all round. There is a secure feeling driving a utility this big, with chunky rear tray-mounted bars alongside standard safety features including six airbags, ABS, EBA, ESC, and rear parking sensors alongside ‘Hill Descent Control’, ‘Hill Start Assist’ features and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

Safety, fit and finish

The DV T really needs to be applauded for the fit and finish inside the cabin. There is a sense this is all too good for a utility. There are a range of features that might sound more

at home on sports cars and S Vs. They include a touch-screen media centre that will mirror smart phones along with radio, DVD, MP and Bluetooth connectivity. The T has enough storage space and connections to turn it into a mobile office, a nifty trick for those on-site who need the space to check plans or contracts. It is big and spacious with ample room front and back (rear tray capacity ) and, perhaps most important of all, it’s not just cosmetic. The TD holds five-star ANCAP rating, meaning this utility is among the first Chinese built utes to achieve this level of safety. Why buy DV Mike Sheaff of Sheaff Vehicles makes a key point “ ou can buy a familiar brand utility used for the same price you can buy the DV for new”. The TD comes with a five-year warranty and , km roadside assistance and this makes for strong market appeal. ater, at Bunnings, where we put the DV through some heavy lifting photo-shoot chores, one of the Bunnings crew said he would buy an DV T and drive it for the five-year warranty period, then trade it in and buy another. His buying strategy would mean a decade long warranty and 2 , km of roadside assistance. It’s hard to argue against such common sense logic at this price point.

Chinese game changer?

DV has delivered a well-e uipped ute at a price point that stands alone in the market. The TD Double Cab ute does all the hard work that owners would want. While it has lower tor ue and power specs it is still a powerful ride and the fit and finish and interior features stand out as real-world driveruseable benefits. Frankly, at its price point it’s a bit of a steal and it places a hard-working ride in the hands of those who may be looking primarily at the second-hand market. It may be this is a bit of a Chinese price point revolution that will change the utility market worldwide. In New Zealand it’s a stand-out for this reason. Anyone who needs a utility daily workhorse should start here. Why buy used when you can buy new Max Christoffersen


The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

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Friday 23 March 2018

RIGHT AT HOME IN MT MAUNGANUI.

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The LDV V80 Diesel is a large van built to make carrying loads easy. Its wide opening double side-sliding doors make loading safer and faster while the rear barn doors open to 180° for loading with a forklift or at a dock. All LDV Vans come with a standard 5 speed manual transmission or an optional 6 speed automatic (AMT). Come in and test drive V80 today.

WORKING HARDER EVERY DAY


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Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Harleys on tour for another year

Riders in Whitianga earlier this month.

The gathering of 700 Harley Davidson motorcycles and riders from around New Zealand in Whitianga for a weekend of organised events, live bands, markets and comradeship proved so popular, they’ve booked to return in 2019. This year’s tour, which was held last weekend, had riders starting their day lined up at the Taylors Mistake reserve. The Whitianga Sea Scouts held a bike wash as a fundraising opportunity for their new Scout Den, collecting $6500. The bikes then headed to the Coroglen Tavern for lunch and an afternoon of fun games. The gathering organisers confirmed their return to Whitianga as a three-day event of music, food, friends and riding for 2019, and plan to increase the numbers of entrants to 1500. “This is fantastic news for Whitianga, and

the wider Coromandel,” says Mercury Bay community board chair Paul Kelly. “We saw riders around the Mercury Bay ahead of the weekend, as well as the Saturday and Sunday, and they travelled around the district. “With the numbers increasing next year, the economic benefits will be seen in the hospitality and accommodation industry, as well as other business sectors. “Who knows? Maybe some of them may buy property here.” Organiser Evan Still adds: “The event is organised by Passionate Riders for passionate riders who like to ride and have fun. The emphasis is on everyone having a great time. It’s a gathering of like-minded individuals.” The next Gathering is planned for March 8-10, 2019 in Whitianga for riders of American motorcycles, and their friends and family. All bikes are welcome. The event has the support of council, through assistance provided by District Events co-ordinator Kirstin Richmond.

Weekend Sun Friday 23 MarchThe 2018

Bay Driver

Cracks in towbars, safety alerts issued

Cracks that could cause crashes have been found in the towbars and connections of some of the largest truck-trailers on New Zealand’s roads. One trailer came off entirely and hit a bank, while another almost came loose. In a third case, the driver spotted what the Transport Agency later said was a “potentially catastrophic” crack in a walk-around check. More structural cracks have also been found in an unspecified number of other semi-trailers. The Transport Agency has put out two safety alerts for almost 3000 truck trailers across the country, including all refrigerated semi-trailers, of which 1800 must be urgently re-certified. Truckies are being warned to pay special attention during daily checks and stop using the trailers immediately if they find a crack. However, it is cracks that are hidden from routine visual inspections that are most prone to failing. “Doing nothing is not advisable and may cause a crash from your semi-trailer separating,”

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

says one of the Agency’s two alerts. This happened last August in Nelson-Marlborough, the Agency says. “The trailer failed, it disconnected from the vehicle, it travelled along the side of the road, it crashed into a bank and stopped,” the Agency’s operational standards manager Craig Basher says, although he did not know what road it was on. “Any (such) incident has the potential for killing someone.” The second case was in December, with a refrigerated semi-trailer. “The driver of an articulated truck and trailer combination noticed the trailer was not sitting as expected and was able to bring the vehicle to a stop without a disconnection occurring.” Internal cracking in the connecting skid plate that could not be seen by visual checks was the cause. In the third case, on February 8 this year, cracks that could have failed “catastrophically” were spotted by a driver on a walk-around check, says Craig. The agency’s alerts are on its website but the latest case did not prompt a media advisory in mid-February. Phil Pennington/RNZ.


The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

CAR CONNEXXION

Appraised Used Vehicles

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Weekend Sun Friday 23 MarchThe 2018

Bay Driver

Bigger is better on Barberry Street

Jono Allen and Sean Manning are happy to help car buyers navigate the range of vehicles available at Tauranga Cars.

With 60 vehicles on offer at any one time, a shift to a larger car yard on Barberry Street was always on the cards for Tauranga Cars. “Over the past two years, our stock levels have gone from 20 cars to 60 cars,” says owner Jono Allen. “The chance to take over the lease on a larger building came up recently, so it seemed like an opportune time to make the move. “It’s much easier for customers to come along and browse, and we’ve got room for about 35 cars under cover, so there’s no need to wander around outside getting wet.” Tauranga Cars offers a wide range of used sedans, wagons, people-movers, 4WD SUVs and sports cars in the $2000-$30,000 range, with the bulk of vehicles now sold online

via: www.taurangacars.co.nz “People often come to us to look at a specific vehicle they’ve seen online,” adds Jono. “There’s been a move away from high street retail to the internet, and it’s the same with vehicles. People search online rather than with their feet.” The move away from the high street means lower overheads, and therefore more competitive pricing for discerning car buyers. Jono travels to Japan to hand-pick his cars and buys from small exporters with a focus on supplying quality vehicles. He and fellow sales consultant Sean Manning are happy to help car buyers navigate the range and can assist with trade-ins, finance and warranties. Tauranga Cars is open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm, Saturday.

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


The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

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Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

The 2018 Weekend Sun Friday 23 March

Bay Driver

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The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

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CAR CONNEXXION

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Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

The 2018 Weekend Sun Friday 23 March

Bay Driver

Crankworx World Tour in Rotorua Starting off international competition season in commanding fashion, Casey Brown took a big win on Saturday in the first event of Crankworx Rotorua, winning all six stages of the Giant Toa Enduro presented by CamelBak in the Pro Women’s category. But while decisive, and over two minutes faster than second place finisher Ronja Hill-Wright, the win was no easy feat. Brown rode Stage Five (aptly named Te Ahi Manawa, which translates to “Fire Heart”) blind, then finished her day with some added spice. “I love racing without really knowing what’s coming up,” says Brown. “It was exciting, to say the least. “Then I had a pretty wild Stage Six. Me and Vaea [Verbeeck] had a pileup. That was exciting. These tracks are so great around here and the weather has been so good compared to last year, with a beautiful cool breeze and overcast. I couldn’t ask for a better day.” Despite the crash, Verbeeck finished strong in third after Hill-Wright. On the Pro Men’s side, Kiwi riders swept the podium for the second year in a row. The top two traded stage wins all day, with Keegan Wright eventually emerging from the forest physically behind Sam Blenkinsop, but 4.8 seconds ahead. “Me and Blenki are always really close,” says Rotorua local Wright. “He was right before me, so I was always trying to chase him down. “I got to the end and thought ‘far out, he must have smoked me. I didn’t even catch him’. But obviously we were just back and forth with each other, which is cool.” Rounding out the Pro Men’s podium was Matt Walker. Overall, conditions in the Whakarewarewa Forest were prime. Rain fell earlier in the week, followed by a few days of late-summer sun, paving the way for some signature New Zealand dirt gold on the forest floor. “I think it’s the first time Rotorua’s had an enduro where it’s not rained,” adds Wright. “It was cool just riding out on the dusty trails. I came into a few corners where it was blown out, but it keeps you on your toes. All the tracks were really good.” The wins for Wright and Brown put them in a strong position as the battle for King and Queen of Crankworx kicks off for another year. Each walked away with 225 points, the most awarded for a

Casey Brown winning Enduro at Crankworx Rotorua. Photo: Fraser Britton. win in any Crankworx event. Brown is on deck to battle for more points over the next eight days of Crankworx competition, currently registered in every single event open to female competitors. Wright, on the other hand, will take his points with him to Chile, missing Crankworx competition in order

JEEP

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to compete in the first round of the Enduro World Series in South America. But he says this taste of victory ought to satisfy him until the Crankworx World Tour hits Europe in June. “I’m doing the other three stops. I’m going to bring my jump bike and my slalom bike and give it a good nudge for sure.”

0800 443 338

116 Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui www.FarmerAutovillage.com


The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Ready. Steady. Go. The exclusive end of financial year sales event is on now. Get on your marks, the Mercedes-Benz you have dreamed of is now within your reach. Take advantage of outstanding value and attractive finance options across our extensive selection of Mercedes-Benz new, demonstrator and pre-owned vehicles. Don’t miss this limited opportunity to enjoy remarkable value, offer ends 31st March 2018. Mercedes-Benz Demonstrators starting

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Visit us at 55 Totara Street or call us on 07 572 8260 to arrange your test drive today. *2017 Mercedes-Benz B 200 LCB40.

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55 Totara Street, Mt Maunganui 3116, Ph: 07 572 8260 or 0800 255 755, www.mbinghamsears.co.nz

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The 2018 Weekend Sun Friday 23 March

Bay Driver


The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

Friday 23 March 2018

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The 2018 Weekend Sun Friday 23 March

Bay Driver


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