Bay Driver 18 July 2014 by Sun Media

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3 8 Friday 18 July 2014

Friday 18 July 2014

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Friday 18 July 2014

Weekend Sun Friday 18 JulyThe 2014

Bay Driver

Motoring briefs Backing Tauranga’s adopted son

www.baydriver.co.nz Advertising 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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Tauranga’s favourite V8 Supercar driver Scott McLaughlin is promising fans there’s more success to come this season. Scott has a strong Western Bay following including his proud Bayfair grandmother Pete Scott, who has been watching the rising star since he was seven. Last year Scott created history becoming the youngest driver to win a V8 Supercar race, at age 19. Currently seventh in the V8 series, Scott has struggled to regain the success he had winning championship races in Perth and Ipswich. But he’s determined to bounce back in Ipswich on August 1, after returning from rubbing shoulders with racing greats at the NASCAR Sprint Cup – a competition he’s open about wanting to race in.

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Motoring safety standard group ANCAP is questioning Nissan’s decision to drop one of its key safety features in its Qashqai range. The autonomous emergency braking feature, which is standard in the model in Europe, has been dumped. Commenting on the issue, after giving the Nissan SUV a 5 star safety rating on Monday, ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh says despite scoring well in all tests the lack of the autonomous emergency brakes is a “notable omission”. “It is astounding to see yet another mainstream manufacturer de-specify their models for our local market,” says Lauchlan. “AEB is a proven life-saver and all manufacturers should be doing their utmost to bring this technology to the market.”

An intensive week of training and classes for the country’s top young motorsport talent in Dunedin earlier this month saw Mount Maunganui drift driver Drew Donovan among winners at the 2014 Elite Motorsport Academy. Drew and fellow team mates in Team Rebound claimed the top team title after being scored on a range of physical and mental challenges, which were squeezed between lessons on other crucial topics such as nutrition, team building and media skills. Other team mates included Formula Ford competitor Ryan Yardley, Formula First pilot Taylor Cockerton, and New Zealand Formula Ford champion Jamie Conroy. The top graduate award went to Southland driver Jamie Conroy.

Rugged rallying ahead The newest event on the national rally calendar – on the Western Bay’s doorstep in the Coromandel – has had its name confirmed as the VINZ Gold Rush Rally of Coromandel. The Whitianga-based event, which will see cars racing the rugged peninsula roads, will be held on August 23 as one of the final two rounds in the six-round New Zealand Rally Championship series. Rally New Zealand chairman Peter ‘PJ’ Johnston says the new event is set to be a fresh challenge for the best drivers in the country on 135km of gravel roads. He welcomes support of major name sponsor Vehicle Inspection New Zealand.

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Bay Driver Friday 18 July 2014

Friday 18 July 2014

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Stealth and style - chasing Jaguars After getting a taste for speed from jet boating, Pongakawa farmer Roland Cleaver’s focus turned to the road almost 20 years ago. “For a while the Targa Rally, along with the Targa Tour, was going through the area along Old Coach Rd and I’d always go out and take in the action,” says Roland. “It got me thinking that I would like to have a go at the tour myself.” Comments his mother had made about how good Jaguar cars are stayed with him since he was a boy, fuelling a passion for the English motoring brand which has seen him own five models during the last 17 years.

Roland Cleaver, pictured with his 2013 XFS Jaguar, has had a passion for the cars since he was 10. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

“She said they were very good cars and her comments just stuck with me,” says Roland, who now lives in Ohauiti. He hasn’t been disappointed, and has since gone on to race three of the five Jags he’s owned. While Roland says the Targa Tour – which he has taken part in eight times – officially isn’t racing “because you’re not allowed to pass”, it’s a great chance to push yourself and your car on the closed roads, with tour speeds limited to 160km/h. “You are on hilly, windy roads and the straights are very short, so you’d spend most of your time in third or second gear,” says Roland, who refers to the six-gear XJR Supercharged 4.2 V8 he drove on the tour three times. “You get a feel for your pecking order, if drivers

are holding up the ones behind them they’ll tend to let the faster ones go ahead at the next stages so you end up with the faster ones at the front.” The tour runs alongside the competitive Targa Road Race on some of the country’s most challenging sealed roads. “It’s great fun. Where else can you drive thousands of kilometres on closed roads,” says Roland, who says the constantly-changing terrains of road racing have always appealed to him. “Every corner is different, it’s constantly changing and you don’t have pace notes. It’s actually not that different to jet boating, where you’re always looking out for what’s coming up; what’s around the corner.” With a farm backing onto a creek that fed into the Little Waihi Estuary near Maketu, Roland says he often launched his boat off the back of the tractor, or headed off to lakes and rivers further afield for water skiing. “I was a jet boat nut, who progressed from pushing boats off shingle banks to the comfort of driving a modern car – which was a bit easier with our passing years.” On Roland’s first Targa Tour in 2002, when he drove his 1994 X300 XJ, he remembers finding the speed a little more challenging than he

expected so signed up for a day’s driver racing training at the Taupo motorsport track. “We did the prologue stage up in the Hunua Ranges and it was pretty helter skelter. I ended up doing pretty well but realised I needed a lot more experience, so decided to get some coaching.” His first Jaguar was a 1990 XJ40; this was upgraded to a 1994 X300 XJ. This in turn gave way to the V8 version of the X300 which was later upgraded to a 2003 All Alloy XJR. He now drives a 2013 XFS. After five Targa Tours with Jaguars, Roland’s navigator and long-time boating mate Marcus Wilkins (senior) offered to provide a Mazda MX5 for him to drive. Roland drove for the next three years. “You can have fun in anything on the tour and we had a lot of fun in the MX5. It was really good for cornering.” But the change didn’t dent his love for Jaguars. While Roland has no plans to take part in the South Island Targa in October, his focus is on Tauranga’s Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, which he pours a lot of energy into, writing reports and reviews of new Jaguar models for its newsletter. “I love doing the reports. It’s great fun. And it’s always good to catch up with the other members on our monthly runs.” To find out more about the club, call Roland on 07 579 6060. By Hamish Carter

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Weekend Sun Friday 18 JulyThe 2014

Bay Driver

Turning over an electric Leaf

The new 2014 Nissan Leaf all-electric car – boasting a $30,000 price-drop and delivery in three to five days – is plugged in and ready to impress. Having a great addiction for any new technology, the opportunity to road-test this electric wonder was too much to resist. I’d already spotted the Leaf at Farmer Motor Group’s showroom on Hewletts Rd – now I’ve had the chance to see how the 80 kilowatt electric motor compares to my gas-guzzler. Farmer Motor Group Nissan sale manager Roger Matthews says the Leaf can be charged in six hours at a cost of about 70 cents on night-rate power. “The Leaf will average about 100km of town driving and up to 160km on the open road,” says Roger – but he adds cold temperature and driving styles can affect your range. Seated in the driver’s seat was like a dream come true, as I’d imagined myself behind the wheel ever since Roger told me about the new Leaf nearly two years ago. First impressions are inspiring: the cockpit layout is open and roomy. Push the start button and the dash lights up. I’m like a fox in a hen house, raring to go! The Nissan Leaf uses a 24 kilowatt per hour lithium-ion battery pack, with 18

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individual batteries, built into the car’s floor pan to power the 80 kilowatt – or 107 horsepower – electric motor driving the front wheels. Now Roger talks the talk – and talks about torque – but to me this car has oomph. The car will do about zero to 100km in the 10-second range with a top speed of 160km per hour. Roger says the Leaf has similar grunt to the Nissan Murano 3.5 L V6. Then he starts ‘talking the torque’ thing again, but driving the electric vehicle I’m amazed at the power and fantastic ride it delivers. The best thing about this vehicle is you don’t need a degree in advanced electrical engineering to get behind the wheel – it drives like a standard car. As you’re cruising at a smooth 100km per hour, you also get the satisfaction of looking at fellow road-users sucking through the dollars while you’re merely spending cents on electricity. Now I have to say Roger is really excited about this electric vehicle. I think he must have had his fingers in the power socket for a while, because he get really gets amped up when he drives it. And for good reason. The Leaf requires no oil changes, and electricity costs are under $150 per year for about 15,000km. This car is definitely on my must-have list of big boys’ toys – however most of my toys require signoff by my wife Lynne. I asked Lynne if the Leaf would work for her, as she travels 90 per cent of the time within the Tauranga-Mount-Katikati areas. Being an artist and grandma sees her picking up grandchildren from school, while still having room to deliver her artworks. This car does all this and more. Lynne isn’t always supportive of new technology – I now have her reading books on the iPad – but she’s really excited about this vehicle. The ease of use and massive savings on running costs are highly impressive. But mostly the smooth ride, great power and performance, spacious feel, super-economic electric vehicle is just fun to drive. It’s made me an electric vehicle convert. Thankfully, my granddaughter doesn’t have to wait for these electric vehicle wonders to be created – they’re already here and will be commonplace by the time she gets behind the wheel. Check it out. By Ross Brown

The Weekend Sun

Bay Driver Friday 18 July 2014

Blanket stability control call

Friday 18 July 2014

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Finding the hybrid path to power

The need for all new vehicles sold from next July to have electronic stability control has been widely welcomed by the motoring industry, but a call is going out for it to apply to used imports sooner. Motor Industry Association CEO David Crawford says last week’s announcement is “an important step forward in improving the overall safety of our fleet”, but urged the Government to fast-track the need for used imports to also have ESC. David says the decision to delay the requirement for used imports for a further five years, with possibility some new light commercial models will be available in restricted numbers as suppliers adapt to the change, could actually result in more used vehicles without ESC being sold. “The extended timeline afforded to used imports makes a mockery of tough requirements for new vehicles.” David says with Japan producing passenger cars with ESC in large volumes since 2011 there should be ample used models available. The Motor Industry Association, representing the new vehicle industry, has been advocating for mandatory ESC in the light vehicle fleet for several years on the basis all studies show significant reductions in single-vehicle crashes. “Australian research found the fitment of ESC to vehicles in the Australian and New Zealand fleet was associated with a statistically significant 32 per cent reduction in the risk of single-vehicle crashes in which the driver was injured.” The NZ Transport Agency also welcomes the change, with road safety director Ernst Zollner saying having more vehicles on NZ roads equipped with ESC will greatly reduce the risk of crashes resulting from a driver losing control of a vehicle. Research by the Ministry of Transport and the NZTA shows the change could save 22 lives and prevent 102 serious injuries during the next 20 years. By Hamish Carter

Nissan’s new Pathfinder Hybrid is proving electric cars can offer plenty of power and pulling potential.

The popular SUV market looks set to become even more competitive with this month’s release of the latest generation Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid. In a category generally known for its lower fuel efficiency, Nissan is aiming to be a step ahead of the competition by introducing a high efficiency petrol-electric hybrid in its iconic Pathfinder SUV. The hybrid, which builds on improvements in last year’s revitalised Pathfinder model, introduces a second powertrain to the model line-up. After revitalising sales of the legendary Pathfinder brand with the 2013 introduction of an all-new next-generation SUV design, Nissan’s iconic SUV takes another major step forward with the introduction of a second powertrain to the model line-up: the first-ever Pathfinder Hybrid. Nissan New Zealand managing director John Manley says the hybrid is a response to growing demand for high efficiency hybrid vehicles, and is a “typically Nissan innovation” which increases fuel economy and driving range without responsive performance or roominess in its seven-seater vehicles.

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“As one of the most fuel-efficient Pathfinders ever, we believe it’s a great addition to the 2014 Nissan line-up.” At the heart of the new Pathfinder Hybrid is a supercharged 2.5litre, four-cylinder petrol engine partnered to an electric motor, which is paired with a compact Lithium-ion stowed away snugly under the third row of seats. By using an intelligent dual clutch system that efficiently manages power from both the electric motor and petrol engine, the motors work in tandem to provide performance equivalent to the petrol, V6-equipped Pathfinder. So how does it improve fuel efficiency? The Hybrid’s economy is rated 8.5L/100km (combined urban-rural), a decrease of 17 per cent, versus the V6-powered Pathfinder’s 10.2L/100km. The Pathfinder Hybrid features regenerative braking to automatically recharge the battery during braking by converting the vehicle’s kinetic energy, which is otherwise lost in braking. “The Pathfinder Hybrid takes all the style, features, utility and amenities of its V6-powered counterpart and adds even greater fuel efficiency and driving range without losing one bit of its realworld, everyday lifestyle-enhancing fun and flexibility,” says John.

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Mercedes Benz heads to the mountains Skiers and snowboarders will be reminded luxury car brand Mercedes Benz is just as at home in the rugged, demanding alpine terrain as it is manoeuvring city streets this winter.

To emphasise the versatile and adventurous nature of the growing Mercedes-Benz SUV range – the luxury auto brand has

teamed up with Cardrona Alpine Resorts’ this ski season as official automotive partner. Mercedes-Benz New Zealand general manager Ben Giffin is excited to about the partnership, describing the worldrenowned alpine resort as a fitting partner to the auto brand’s expanding range of top of the line SUVs. “We felt a partnership with New Zealand’s most popular ski resort

would highlight just how capable our SUV range is during a demanding snow season.” Throughout the snow season visitors to the resort – also home to the New Zealand National Park and Pipe Ski and Snowboard Team – will be able to see the dynamic off-road capabilities the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and GLA-Class vehicles provide. The all new GLA 250 4MATIC, which is being launched this month, will be

set to the mountain’s toughest challenges, while the larger permanent all wheel drive ML 250 BlueTEC is expected to captivate visitors by showcasing exceptional driving finesse in all-terrain conditions. Ben says both vehicles’ sporty and adventurous potential will truly be tested as they cater to the resort’s demands on a day-to-day basis during the season, which is expected to see more than 200,000 visitors on Cardrona’s slopes.

Mercedes-Benz’s ML 250 BlueTEC will impress the crowds on Cardrona’s slopes this year.

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The 2014 Weekend Sun Friday 18 July

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Cross country champion stumbles Record four-time Kiwi cross-country titleholder Adrian Smith may have been favoured to win Atiamuri’s Dirt Guide Cross Country round – but even champions have their off days. The Yamaha star won the opening round of the series in May, but luck wasn’t on his side at teh recent second round, with him crashing about eight times during the two-hour race. Fortunately for him, his main series rival, Auckland’s Sam Greenslade, also had a tough day and was forced to settle for fourth place – a lap behind the favourite. Adrian managed to limit the damage to his campaign by powering through traffic, “back from about 20th place”, to finish the race in third position; the last of only three racers who managed to complete six laps. The race was won by Taupo youngster Greg De Lautour, an outstanding performance from the teenager who’d finished only 42nd at the series opener, while Auckland’s Chris Power took his Yamaha WR450F to finish runner-up. Commenting after the race Adrian, who still leads the series after two of three rounds, praised Greg for his top riding and admitted he had “a bad one”, saying he couldn’t have been concentrating enough to crash so many times. “I had the lead at the start but Greg passed me early on and then I crashed and dropped back a long way.

July 27: Tauranga Clubman’s Rally: TECT All Terrain Park Novice motorsport competitors are being encouraged to put their driving to the test in the annual Tauranga Clubman’s Rally. The Motorsport Bay of Plenty organised event is being held on a route combining forestry roads in the Mamaku Forest, roads in Te Matai Motorsports area and public roads. For details, or to register, go to www.mbop.org.nz

Beyond the Bay: July 19-20 CRC Speedshow: Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds New Zealand’s biggest automotive event opens its doors for the eighth year with even more on offer for motoring fans. The event celebrates the finest and fastest new and classic cars, motorcycles, customs and hot rods, with special displays to mark the 100th anniversary of Maserati and 50 years of the Ford Mustang. For details, visit: www.speedshow.co.nz July 19: Endurance Race Series Pukekohe The final meeting in the three-round

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Mokau’s Adrian Smith managed to salvage his day and retain the lead after round two of the Dirt Guide cross-country series at the weekend. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com “I guess you can’t win them all and I’m just glad I managed to salvage something from the day.” The result takes Sam into second place, five points back from the lead and Chris is a further nine points back in third overall. Greg’s win brings him up to seventh overall in the series standings. Meanwhile, Te Puke’s rising young talent Daniel Marsh finished fourth in the intermediate class at the second round event, finishing behind winner Helensville’s Tom Buxton and Marton’s Ethan Breuer. Daniel is second in the series, 11 points behind Ethan. In the junior race class Waimauku’s Jake Wightman won by a lap over Hamilton’s Luke Taylor and is now well-placed to win the junior grade for the second consecutive season.

Weekend Wheels Bay of Plenty:

The 2014 Weekend Sun Friday 18 July

Origin Windows North Island Endurance Race Series will see saloons, closed GTs and closed sports cars compete in its fun one and three hour races. The event is being promoted as “affordable, no stress motorsport” offering fantastic entertainment for racing fans or the whole family. Detail: www.endurancerace.co.nz July 27: Winter Drag Wars: Meremere Dragway Meremere’s Winter Drag Wars continues with the fourth winter drag meet in the series. This fun event is open to street legal cars (vehicle warrant and registration needed) and motorbikes. For details, visit: www.framautolitedragway.co.nz July 27: Henry Ford Day: Hamilton Ford lovers are in for a treat with the Waikato Mustang Owners Club putting on its annual Henry Ford Memorial Day Display and Swap Met, with models from Anglias to Zephyrs on display at the Claudelands Event Centre from 8am. For details, visit: www.facebook.com/WaikatoMustangOwnersClub To submit an event for listing, email details to hamishcarter@thesun.co.nz at least two weeks before the event.

Sales of commercial vehicles continue to surge, setting new records on the back of rebounding economic confidence, a strong Kiwi dollar and sharp pricing. Motor Industry Association CEO David Crawford says the streak of record sales figures during the last months few is continuing, with the top sales in June showing no signs of abating. “The factors have all combined to help drive sales of new vehicles skywards as records continue to fall,” says David. New commercial registrations in June reached 4002 – the highest level since figures began being collected in 1981 – and up 26 per cent, or 821 units, on the same month last year. Strong demand for commercials was shown with sales up 21 per cent for the year to date, with 3134 more sales compared to same period last year. Passenger vehicles sales were also well ahead of last year, with an extra 4550 units sold in the year to date, with a comparatively smaller 11 per cent lift. Toyota was the overall market leader for

June with 20 per cent market share, with 2555 sales with Ford second on 11 per cent, with 1361, and Holden a close third also with 11 per cent or 1344 sales. Toyota also dominated many categories including passenger car, with a 17 per cent share, and the commercial market, with 28 per cent. The brand also had the top three selling passenger models – the RAV4, Corolla and Highlander – while the Hilux was the top selling commercial model. Meanwhile Mitsubishi, which last year was ranked seventh highest selling brand, has achieved sales growth at more than double the rate of growth of most other top 10 brands in the year to date. Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand sales and marketing head Daniel Cook says this success, which saw them ranked fifth for total sales in June, is due to its well-priced innovative product packages and compelling campaigns. The brand saw its greatest success in the sale of new cars, which in the five months to May grew 46 per cent during the same period in 2013. The next closest competitor managed 26 per cent.

By Hamish Carter

The Weekend Sun

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‘Liking’ safer children’s driving

Facebook has been recruited as the New Zealand Automobile Association’s latest tool to help parents foster good driving habits among their broods. AA’s latest educational push uses a Facebook quiz aimed at parents to highlight heightened risks young drivers face; and how parents can help their teens become safer on the roads. The quiz is part of AA’s focus is on encouraging parents not to turn a blind eye to their children breaching restricted licence conditions. AA spokesman Dylan Thomsen says the motoring organisation wanted to remind parents of their important role in helping make sure their children stick to their restricted licence conditions, which have been designed to keep inexperienced drivers safe. “Parents often know their child is breaking the restricted licence rules by carrying passengers or driving after 10pm but don’t recognise the increased risks these bring.”

The restriction on carrying passengers is because young drivers with a car full of peer passengers are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash compared to driving alone. Young people with other teens as passengers are more at risk of distractions, go faster and take more risks than when they’re driving on their own or with an adult supervisor. Restricted licence holders are also not allowed to drive between 10pm-5am because they have four times more crashes during those hours than driving during the day. “Even once your child has gained their restricted licence, parents should be staying involved and making sure their kids stick to the restrictions on their licence and make safe choices on the roads. “In 2013 there were 1071 crashes involving young restricted licence holders. These resulted in 18 deaths, 184 serious injuries and 1229 minor injuries.” Those taking part in the quiz can win prizes, including AA Defensive Driving Courses.

Vision for safer driving Barely a week seems to go past without hearing of another accident where a child has been run over in a driveway. It’s a heart-breaking tragedy that too often claims a life or leaves a youngster seriously injured and families broken. But Hyundai is doing its part to help tackle the problem of accidents in the driver’s blind spot. Hyundai New Zealand general manager Andy Sinclair is excited to announce his company is the first Kiwi car distributor to introduce reversing cameras as standard across its entire range of cars and vans. Andy says rear view cameras dramatically improve visibility in a common blind spot and all 13 of its passenger and commercial van models will be automatically installed with them from now on. “Reversing a car can be one of the most difficult manoeuvres a driver will undertake on a daily basis. “Obscured vision is a common cause of

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object collision in parking buildings, malls and driveways throughout the country.” The move will see hundreds of new cars added to New Zealand’s vehicle fleet each month equipped with their latest reversing camera technology. “Introducing our new technology will make it easier and less stressful for thousands of Kiwi drivers to operate vehicles through the country,” says Andy. He believes the new move is in line with the company’s commitment to establishing a higher level of specification as standard in all models, in the same way it was the first to introduce Electronic Stability Control as standard for all vehicles sold in New Zealand in 2007. ESC works by electronically controlling engine torque and each of the four brakes when it senses a vehicle is losing traction and veering off course. Independent research has shown cars equipped with ESC are one-third less likely to be in a collision.

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