Wheels_23March2017

March 23, 2017

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KWAZULU­NATAL’S BEST READ ON ALL THINGS WHEELED

The Peugeot 3008 SUV (top) has dethroned the 2016 Opel Astra (right) as Europe’s Car of the Year, but South Africa became the 13th country to award the Astra its Car of the Year title.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Bikers ready for rare auction

Astra adds to its silverware PSA/Opel sell the two cars journalists like best ALWYN VILJOEN PEUGEOT and Citroën owner PSA and Opel recently made the news with PSA’s agreement to buy Opel/Vauxhall from General Motors for over $2,3 billion (more than R29,2 billion).

Now two models from these stables have underlined why this marriage can work — both com­ panies make cars a cut above the norm. The new Peugeot 3008 SUV was named Europe’s 2017 Car of the Year at the Geneva Motorshow, replacing the Opel Astra, which was last week named South Africa’s car of of the year. The Peugeot 3008 was judged by a panel comprising 58 European motoring journalists.

The latest European Car of the Year award joins 20 other prizes on the 3008’s shelf.

The Astra was chosen at the Wesbank South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ 2017 Car of the Year, making South Africa the 13th country where the Opel Astra has been recognised as a Car of the Year since its global

introduction in 2015.

The latest accolade, which was announced at an industry ban­ quet at Kyalami on March 15, comes on the back of a multitude of awards both here and abroad for the 11th­generation Astra.

The most significant of these is the European COTY for 2016, widely considered the most pres­ tigious prize in motoring.

It also picked up the 2015 Best Safety Award and the 2015 Gold­ en Steering Wheel Award.

The Astra’s all­round excel­ lence has not gone unnoticed on the local front either and since its April 2016 launch Opel’s C­segment hatchback has re­ ceived accolades including being voted Independent Newspapers’ Best of the Best for 2016.

Two of its key strengths are ex­ ceptional efficiency in terms of packaging, aerodynamics, weight­reduction and drive­ trains, but also the way it has democratised technology. It is packed with safety, infotainment and driver aids usually reserved for luxury vehicles.

“The last time Opel won a South African Car of the Year Award was in the 1990s when we won three awards with the Opel Monza 160 GSi (1991), Opel Ka­ dett 140 (1994) and Opel Astra 160iS (1995),” said Ian Nicholls, president and MD of General Motors Sub­Saharan Africa.

New Astra owners get another prize. As we said in June last year after driving all three engines in the Astra, from the punchy 1­litre Enjoy to the 1,6 Turbo, and la­ menting that the Euro and our import taxes make this fully­im­ ported hatch relatively expen­ sive, even the entry­level Astra still offers a lot more than the competing Polo 1­litre TSI Blue­ Motion or 1,4 TDi Trendline; a Toyota Corolla 1,3 Esteem or a Ford Fiesta 1­litre.

While these R254 000 com­ petitors are all excellent cars with their own merits, the Astra adds an extra lure for those whose company allowance covers a new car payment — exclusitivity and now, the 13th Car of the Year award to boot.

Tata signs deal with VW, Skoda Tata Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a long­term part­ nership with Volkswagen Group and Skoda, to explore strategic alliance opportunities for joint development of products. The agreement has been signed by Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD

of Tata Motors, Matthias Muel­ ler, CEO of Volkswagen AG, and Bernhard Maier, CEO of Skoda Auto.

Butschek said both the companies can develop solu­ tions for the Indian and over­ seas market. Maier said oppor­ tunities for collaboration will

be defined over the coming months.

With definitive agreements in place, the two companies will start joint development work, with Tata Motors plan­ ning to launch products in the Indian market from 2019.

— Wheels Reporter.

Auctioneer Cameron Lock (left) shows the award­winning classic motorbikes collection of the late Andy Haupfleitsch’s estate to bikers Jeff Neuhoff (centre) and Luke Longmore.

Apart from classic BMW, BSA, Hogs and Yamaha motorbikes, Lock will also auction an MG A Coupe, and an MG Nash Metropolitan as well as a trailer­load of Harley Davidson parts, some still in their original packages, on Saturday at Maritzburg Auctioneers.

PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN

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WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 23, 2017

The future will whine Evees come in all sizes, ALWYN VILJOEN looks at current trends in electric motors ASK anyone who commutes by bus or train — it’s the “last mile” between station and home that feels the longest on foot, espe­ cially after a hard day at work.

This market of people desper­ ate for something to ride on to make the last mile easier is huge.

In South Africa alone, an esti­ mated 15 million commuters face this mile daily, which explains why so many designers are mak­ ing portable last mile transport­ ers.

Weird ride­ons Electric skateboards and gyro­ scopic bikes are the most popular platforms, and each month sees a new last miler for bush or city use. The latest is Germany’s JayKay, who crammed all of the electronics, electric motors and even the battery underneath a longboard that can do 30 km/h for 12 km, thanks to regenerative braking. They plan to sell from September at €1 549.

Among the ride­ons, Airwheel in South Africa sells a gyroscopic wheel called the X3 for R6 895.

The X3 has a top speed of 18 km/h and can carry 120 kg for 90 min­ utes. The rider stands astride the wheel on two footrests that act as pedal controls. Two lithium batteries, a 130 Watt­hour or 170 Wh, are available.

The smallest ride­on comes from Cocoa Motors in Japan, who sell a laptop­sized tray pow­ ered by the sprung front wheels for $1 280. The tiny conveyance steers via two rear castors by leaning and can do 16 km/h for an hour. The lithium battery takes an hour to recharge via USB, providing a range of 12 km.

Its 27­year­old developer, Ku­ niako Sato, told BBC he is confi­ dent that WalkCar is where the future lies, booting bulkier devi­ ces such as the Segway or Toyo­ ta’s Winglet.

Sato said the WalkCar is de­ signed for Tokyo’s steep, bumpy sidewalks and is powerful enough to push a person in a wheelchair

The 2016 electric Cezeta Type 506 mimics the original 1950s racing legend.

PHOTO: EZETA

Cocoa Motors makes a rather fast tray you can ride on.

PHOTO: COCOA MOTORS The Dendrobium electric supercar from Singapore’s Vanda Electrics claims 0­100 km/h in 2,6 seconds.

PHOTO: VANDA up an incline, and it can handle payloads weighing up to 120 kg.

Two wheelers Calfee Design from Santa Cruz in the U.S. last week displayed their bamboo­framed prototype bicycle at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Salt Lake City.

With a Bafang motor capable of 1,5 kW powered by a 54­ volt/250Wh battery pack, the bamboo bike will be plenty fast.

A dynamo hub in the front wheel generates electricity for the 12­volt LED lighting system and in the rear wheel a highly­ geared Sturmey­Archer hub transmission provides the right torque for motor­assisted top pedalling at 64 km/h. A seat on a cantilevered suspension en­ sures a soft ride.

If all goes according to plan, the as­yet­unnamed bamboo e­bike could hit the market by the

August at a price somewhere un­ der $5 000 (about R63 600).

If this sounds a lot for a bike with a wooden ride, then sit down for the price of the new CZ from Eastern Europe.

Two decades after Czech com­ pany eská Zbrojovka Strakonice, also known as CZ, stopped build­ ing the ezeta Type 506, the iconic scooter is back, this time with an electric motor.

Hand­built in limited numbers

by Englishman Neil Eamonn Smith high­tech at Prostejov in the Czech Republic, the exclusive modern replicas retain the looks of the original ezeta but power comes from an 11 kW rear­wheel­ hub electric motor that can accel­ erating from zero to 60 in just 3,2 seconds with a top speed of 120 km/h.

This compares to at least a 250 to 300cc scrambler. A four­map Dynamic Selector allows the rid­ er to set the motor’s torque out­ put to full, city, or rain mode, and includes a reverse gear to move the 147 kg scooter into parking bays.

The battery pack is made of Panasonic 18650 LiFeYPO4 cells, and comes in two versions.

The ezeta 506/01 is fed by a 4kWh/84V pack, while the most potent 506/02 enjoys 6kWh/84 V. The in­house developed bat­ tery management system in­ cludes a 1,8 kW on­board charger that will bring the charge to 80% in two (4 kWh) or three (6 kWh) hours, connected to a standard domestic socket — with a fast charger that can achieve the same result in just 30 minutes. The starting price for the low power 506/01 model is €7 640 (about R104 500) with leased batteries.

Three wheels or more For those bemoaning the lack of noise from electric motors, the performance more than make up for the motor’s whine.

Typical of the breed of new electric supercars is the Dendro­ bium by Singapore’s Vanda Elec­ trics.

It has a top speed down from the advertised 400 km/h to 320 km/h, with an estimated 2,6 sec­ ond jump from zero to 100 km/h for the 1 750 kg car.

While Vanda is coy in the de­ tails, it admits to two inboard electric motors on each axle like Tesla does things, with a single­ speed gearbox and differential at the front, as well as a multi­speed gearbox and differential at the rear.

Electric car start­up Uniti Sweden and Siemens Nordics plan to build up to 50 000 light electric vehicles per year from 2019, selling for R300 000.

PHOTO: SIEMENS

CARS ARE CHANGING FASTER A SURVEY of the U.S.’s top transportation experts pre­ dicts rapid change in trans­ portation as a result of three major technology rev­ olutions: shared, electric and automated vehicles.

The Institute of Transpor­ tation Studies at UC Davis (ITS­Davis) involved 40 poli­ cymakers, researchers, and representatives from govern­ ment, non­profit organisa­ tions and the technology and auto industries in its survey.

The survey was developed in connection with the launch of ITS­Davis’ new Policy Initiative.

The 3 Revolutions Policy Initiative addresses the big policy questions related to these new technologies, and the partnerships needed to bring the greatest social and market benefit.

Dan Sperling, director of ITS­Davis and the new 3 Revolutions Policy Initiative, said the next few years will see more real transforma­ tive innovations in passen­ ger transportation than in the past 50 years.

When respondents were asked to specify which companies are best posi­ tioned to capitalise on the revolution in autonomous, shared, and electric vehicles, 67% listed Google, 64% named Tesla and Uber, and 48% chose Lyft and General Motors. — WR.

What goes into electric super cars?

WITH reference to Wheels report on “Electrifying supercars”, it’s be­ come astonishing to see that they can not only reach speeds of 300 km/h, but the acceleration factor is almost unbelievable.

Zero to 200 km/h in 7,1 seconds must impose something like 1,5 to 2G on the occupant(s).

The questions are, what sort of motor or motors are used, kW, amperages, voltages etc. and what type of drive transfer?

Best regards and thanks for an always interesting supplement.

WERNER EHLERS Mt Michael WE are glad you enjoy reading Wheels as much as we do compil­ ing the latest trends in transport.

The answers to your questions can fill volumes, but I want to say if you find the technology in fast electric cars fascinating, you may be astounded by what I deem the world’s best new car — the solar­ powered Stella Lux. Built by Dutch students, this four­seat family saloon has a 15 kWh battery bank that only gets tapped when the car moves faster than 45 km/h, but at slow

city speeds the 5,8 m² solar pan­ el, which doubles as the Stella Lux’s roof, captures more power than the car uses. This is as close to a perpetual motion machine as physics allows.

It’s all in the hub But back to your questions, most electric vehicles (evees) use alter­ nating current, synchronous brushless electric motors, and they come in all sizes — even fit­ ting inside the rims of skateboard wheels.

While Tesla puts these motors on both axles, the trend is to­ wards in­wheel hub motors, whether to propel bicycles or trucks. To my mind, Protean Electric leads the fray with their 75 kW (100 hp) and 1 000 Nm hub motor that has already been extensively tested.

While as strong as a truck en­ gine, Protean’s hub motor weighs only 34 kg and fits into a 18­inch rim. Vector control of the power to each hub ensures pre­ cise cornering.

The first patent for a hub wheel motor dates back to 1884, but what will ensure that modern electric cars will not fade like

those at the turn of the 19th cen­ tury are cheaper Watt­hours and sophisticated traction control systems.

Amp it up As for Amps and voltage, the “fu­ el tanks”, or battery packs of modern evees can contain from hundreds to thousands of the same lithium­ion batteries we use in toys. These 3,6 volt, 3 000 mAh rechargeable batter­ ies have now totally replaced the lead­acid batteries.

Tesla made Panasonic’s bat­ teries the trusted brand, packing over 6 000 of these tiny batteries into the Tesla cars’ battery banks, each cell connected in series with their own little fuses in modules.

Because the battery packs are modular, engineers can pack as many kiloWatts as space allows.

The 2015 world solar race built

by UKZN students had 20 kg, or close to 500, of these lit­ion cells in its battery pack, to power a tiny 2 kW Mitsuba hub wheel.

The Jaguar Ipace packs a re­ spectable 90 kWh, but the Chi­ nese BYD bus comes loaded with 324 kWh and daily runs over 300 km in 35 countries.

The electric tandem car sold by Renault­Nissan.

PHOTO: NISSAN

TWIZY GOES TO JAPAN The 324 kWh battery pack of a BYD bus shows what the heart of electric vehicles looks like. PHOTO: BYD Face­peeling fast Because torque is almost imme­ diate on electric motors, all forms of electric transport — even the BYD bus — have face­peeling ac­ celeration if left uncontrolled.

The fastest evee currently is the 168 kg Grimsel electric race car.

Built in less than a year by engi­ neering students at ETH Zurich and Lucerne University of Ap­ plied Sciences and Arts, it last

year did the zero to 100 km/h run in 1,513 seconds.

The Grimsel used four 37 kW hub motors, putting out a com­ bined 1 700 Nm and 148 kW (an old fashioned 200 hp).

This makes the four­seconds run of the all­electric Jaguar Ipace seem slow. But none of these excites me as much as a family car that uses the sun to make more power than it uses.

— Alwyn Viljoen.

AFTER testing the waters in Yokohama, Nissan Motor Company is rolling out the Renault Twizy as part of the group’s mobility concept.

The Twizy has proven itself in Europe since 2012 and more recently in San Franci­ so, where an electric scoot­ er rental company is using 10 Twizy “quads” in its 400­ unit fleet.

In Yokohama the Twizy can be booked 30 minutes in advance and driven in the city for 15 minutes at about R28, making the little electric car cheaper than a taxi. — WR.

MOTORING WitnessWheels

March 23, 2017

3

Mercedes­Benz is already taking orders for the X­class double cab bakkie (left) while Nissan launched the long­awaited and much admired all­new Navara in South Africa last week.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

One chassis, two bakkies SIBONELO MYENI compares the Merc X­Class concept with its chassis donor, Nissan Navara “IF they keep at least 80% of the X Class Concept on the produc­ tion model, then Mercedes has a winner here”— that’s my feeling after being stunned by the X­ Class Concept at Geneva.

First things first, don’t listen to anyone who tells you the car you see in these pictures is the actual Mercedes “bakkie” — it’s not, it’s still a concept. Mercedes is using it to gauge market reac­ tion and possibly to scare the liv­ ing daylights out of VW’s Ama­ rok, Ford’s Ranger, Nissan’s Na­ vara and Toyota’s Hilux.

At the Geneva Motorshow, we got to interview the executive

vice­president of Mercedes­ Benz, Vans Volker Mornhinweg, to get more info on the produc­ tion spec X­Class.

The Mzansi bakkie market is one of the key markets Mercedes­ Benz considered when looking at the case study to develop the X­Class.

The target is to grow the Mer­ cedes commercial line up to com­ plement Vito and the growth in key markets. Therefore, entering the bakkie segment was obvious­ ly the way to go.

After its international launch later in 2017, Mzansi buyers will get their hands on the X­Class

during the first quarter of 2018.

The general feedback the de­ signers have received from peo­ ple seeing the X­Class Concept has been positive, and Mornhin­ weg assured us that not much will change from the concept to the actual production model.

Even though it shares a chassis and body with the Nissan Navara, Mercedes engineers have exten­ sively re­engineered the chassis so it gives the known Mercedes ride, quality fit and finish and re­ finement attributes.

The target for Mercedes is for the X­Class to be a one­ton pick­ up that is equally at home for

SUV­like luxury buyers as it is for lifestyle/multi­use buyers.

Mercedes brand aficionados should rest assured that the X­Class will not disappoint them. The interior layout will al­ so be of Mercedes design with switchgear and infotainment sys­ tems taken from the Mercedes parts bin. Three engines will be launched internationally, one petrol and two Turbodiesels.

The Nissan Navara 2.3 Twin­ Turbo diesel will be used as the entry level X­Class mill (it produ­ ces 140 kW/450 Nm in the Nava­ ra) but Mercedes will modify it to suit the taste of Mercedes buy­

New Navara continues comfortable ride “TOUGH & Advanced”, those are the words Nissan Mzansi wants double cab buy­ ers to have on their minds when evaluating the new Na­ vara.

We attended its local launch to see if the Nissan has what it takes to take on the segment leaders.

My first sight of the Navara is of a double cab that will grab attention with its aggressive stance.

The orange pearl metallic colour is definitely going to be the signature colour for the Navara and I estimate over 50% of those bought will come in this hue.

LED headlights featuring LED daytime lights are stan­ dard across the range (first in segment) and these sit on ei­ ther side of a bold V shaped chrome grille prominently showing off the Nissan logo.

Fog lights with chrome sur­ rounds sit below the head­ light. On the side, buyers get 16­inch (SE) or 18­inch alloys (LE) and side­mirror mount­

ed LED turning indicator lights.

Elegant running boards and roof rails come standard whilst the rear gets a chrome bumper/step.

Nissan already has many personalisation items that buyers can use to tailor­make their Navara.

Nissan targeted an SUV­like interior with a well laid out cabin, quality fit and finish, larger doors for easier ingress and egress, a slanted rear bench for greater comfort and more rear legroom whilst rear passengers get air vents (first in class).

The electrically operated rear cab window is also a first.

Cruise control, electric windows, climate control, three 12­V sockets in cabin, heated leather seats with elec­ tric adjustment (LE), naviga­ tion, keyless entry and start (LE), DVD/VCD/CD/USB/ bluetooth touchscreen info­ tainment system, and a multi­ function steering wheel are all part of a long list of features.

Powering the range is a 140 kW/450 Nm 2,3 twin­tur­ bo diesel that drives all wheels via six­speed manual or seven speed automatic transmis­ sion. An electronic rear differ­ ential lock comes standard whilst through a rotary switch inside the cabin, a driver can switch from two wheel drive to four wheel drive (speeds of up to 100 km/h).

A low range option is also offered. Efficiency claims are 6,5l/100 km (manual) and 7,0l/100 km (auto).

The Navara’s award­win­ ning party piece is its SUV­ style five­link coil springs rear suspension, which offers pas­ senger car­like levels of com­ fort whilst also offering the ruggedness expected of a dou­ ble cab. Carrying capacity is claimed at 1 002 kg (SE), 967 kg (LE manual) and 961 kg (LE auto) whilst tow­ ing capacity is claimed at 3,5 tons braked and 750 kg un­ braked.

Safety is catered for by sev­ en airbags (two front, two

side, two curtain airbags and one knee airbag), ABS, EBD, traction control, vehicle dy­ namic control and brake as­ sist.

Security is catered for by a lockable rear tailgate, Datadot, anti­theft system and vehicle security alarm.

On the new Navara, the Nis­ san Assured warranty includes a mechanical warranty for six years or 150 000 km and a comprehensive three­year/ 90 000 km service plan.

Black leather seats with heater function are optional on LE grade models, for R13 000.

The 4×2 range is destined for local shores towards the end of 2017 and prices most likely to range between R450 000 and R520 000.

— Imotoonline.co.za Navara pricing and range 2,3 DDTT 4×4 SE Double Cab manual — R514 900 2,3 DDTT 4×4 LE Double Cab manual — R565 900 2,3 DDT 4×4 LE Double Cab automatic — R597 900

ers. Mercedes’ 3,0­litre V6 Tur­ bodiesel will top the range (190 kW/620 Nm in Merc mod­ els).

No engine details were given for the petrol mill, but one can only hope that Merc uses the 245 kW/480 Nm 3,0­litre V6 Turbo in the GLE 400.

All X Class models will be all wheel drive with selectable 4×4 offered in entry models and the 4Matic offered on high spec models. Low range will also be of­ fered. Sadly, there are no plans at all to offer an AMG fettled X63 — sad indeed.

The X­Class will only come in

double cab configuration with no single or extended cab models ever offered. There will be a rug­ ged version of the X­Class for the serious off­road enthusiast as seen on the X­Class Adventurer Concept.

All safety technology that Mercedes has pioneered world­ wide will be offered in the X­ Class meaning it won’t be an air­ bag bonanza only but also use re­ active technology.

The X­Class to be sold in Mzansi will be built in Spain and there are no plans to do any local production of the model.

— imotoonline.co.za

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While sharing the underpinnings and a very comfortable five­link rear suspension with the Navara (left) the interior of the Merc X­class shows where the money went. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING

4

March 23, 2017

Tickets to drive at Simola Hillclimb ORGANISERS of the Simola Hillclimb have already received 175 applications from drivers in South Africa, Germany, the UK and the U.S. But with only 144 slots, spec­ tators can this year be assured that the drivers who are chosen to participate are truly in the mo­ torsport elite.

“Over the last three years the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb has grown to become South Africa’s premier motorsport event. It has won awards, spectator crowds have grown, and there is unprece­ dented interest from competi­ tors,” said Lisa Mallett, market­ ing director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub­Sahara Af­ rica.

“With its invitational format, it’s impossible to simply buy an entry. With that in mind, we de­ cided to create an exclusive op­ portunity for two lucky Jaguar owners to participate and show that they have racing in their blood.”

The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb starts on Friday, May 5, with Clas­ sic Car Friday. This sees 60 driv­ ers participate in their historic road and race cars, competing for the Classic Conqueror trophy.

On May 6 and May 7, the per­ formance is turned up a few notches with the dramatic King of the Hill event.

Up to 84 road­going sports cars, supercars and purpose­built race cars will compete on the 1,9 km­long Simola Hill road for the King of the Hill trophy.

Win two tickets Two lucky Jaguar owners will have an opportunity to win the one thing that money cannot buy: an entry to drive at the 2017 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb.

All Jaguar owners with a road­ going Jaguar from 1986 or later are eligible to enter, for an oppor­ tunity to win this fantastic prize.

Not only will winners be able to drive their cars at the 2017 Jag­ uar Simola Hillclimb, they will get a complete Jaguar premium experience.

This includes flights to Knys­ na, five­star accommodation, and passes to the Jaguar VIP area for both the winner and their partner. To prepare them for the task of driving up the challenging Simola Hill road, drivers will re­ ceive training from Jaguar Expe­ rience instructors.

Additionally, their vehicles will be transported to the Jaguar Si­ mola Hillclimb where a team of Jaguar technicians will prepare their cars — including fitment of a full set of tyres, courtesy of Continental Tyres South Africa.

Spectator tickets for the 2017 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb start at R100 for a day pass and R220 for a pit pass.

Tickets can be purchased on www.itickets.co.za. For more in­ formation, visit www.jaguar­ simolahillclimb.com.

Jaguar owners can enter the owners’ competition at www.jaguar.co.za/experience/si­ mola­hillclimb/jaguar­simola­ hillclimb.html.

Do check the terms and condi­ tions. Interested participants need to own a Jaguar to be eligible to enter. Entries are open right now, and will close on March 24, 2017. Winners will be announced on Monday, March 27.

The 2017 bike fest at Margate will this year host the Shredbettys, who have one aim — to tell more women how to enjoy motorbikes safely.

Seen here are some of the Betties who can shred it fine: (back from left) Pamela De Heer (South Coast), Sarah Mingay, Kirsten Mingay(both from PMB), Nicole Salt (Durban), (front from left) Nicola Strauss (Cape Town), Roxanne Baney (Durban), Lanza vd Mescht (Durban) PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Sharing the passion Shredbettys create a platform for women to explore the biking lifestyle THE number of women partici­ pating in biking activities coun­ trywide is growing, prompted by organisations such as Durban­ based bikers, Shredbettys.

This dynamic group of wom­ en will be sharing their passion for all things motorsports at the 2017 South Coast Bike Fest #SCBF2017 taking place on the coastal town of Margate from April 27 to April 30.

“Shredbettys started as a small group of women reaching out to fellow riders who experi­ ence the difficulties of compet­ ing in, and getting started in, a typically male­dominated sport,” explained Nicole Salt of Shredbettys.

“We quickly began to receive an overwhelming desire from women around South Africa to have a company that acts as a voice for this market within the

motorsports industry.”

By 2013, Shredbettys had es­ tablished itself as an organisa­ tion promoting women’s riding and other extreme sports.

Shredbettys now has more than 400 members nationwide and is the number one interac­ tive social media avenue for South African women’s off­road racing.

“The riding community is no­ ticing that there are many female riders and we are seeing more women being picked for teams,” said Salt.

“Our successful all­women riding team is in its third year with support from amazing brands seeing them winning multiple championships in dif­ ferent disciplines.”

The seven Shredbettys team members who compete in endu­ ro, off­road and MX sports, will

be on hand at #SCBF2017 to showcase various skills to inter­ ested participants and answer any questions women have about riding.

They will also discuss a num­ ber of lifestyle topics around bike riding such as fitness, nutrition, safety gear, bike care and mainte­ nance as well as the riding clinic.

There will be an introduction to motorsports and women of all ages will be given a chance to ride a bike in a safe environment.

Women are also welcome to bring their own bikes and get some pointers from the experi­ enced riders.

In attendance will be Elize Olivier, one of four women to complete the gruelling enduro Roof of Africa competition. Rac­ ers, Keri Packham and Cindy Saunders, will talk about how they got into the competitive

biking world while MX champi­ on and all­round hellcat, Rox­ anne Baney, will show off her speed on one wheel, performing impressive whips.

Local riders and competitors in the KwaZulu­Natal hare scrambles, Pamela de Heer as well as Paige and Amber Pretori­ us, will also share their experien­ ces.

“This is a really great platform for women to get a glimpse into the biking lifestyle,” said Salt.

“Female riders are a growing market and the South Coast Bike Fest is a great way for organisa­ tions catering to this market to connect.”

The Shredbettys’ demos will run on April 27 and April 28 at the Margate Fishing Pier from 1 pm to 2 pm. The Shredbettys’ Learn to Ride sessions will take place at the same venue on both

days from 5 pm to 6 pm.

In addition to the Shredbet­ tys, #SCBF2017 has organised a number of high­energy extreme sports including the Gravity Clash Action Sports’ Show where daring bikers — including Nick de Wit and Brian Capper — will put on a mesmerising per­ formance.

The Powasol EnduroX Series will welcome South Africa’s top enduro, motocross, trials and fun riders with big names show­ ing off serious skill.

Tickets to the #fuelyourfun Carling Main Beach Stage cost R130 per day or R200 for the cocktail bar day pass.

• All bikes are welcome at the South Coast Bike Fest and entry to the four­day event is free pro­ vided preregistration is complet­ ed online at www.quicket.co.za.

PMB’s cross country racers welcome Puma as sponsor FORD Performance and Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) are proud to welcome Puma Lu­ bricants as a co­sponsor for the team’s 2017 South African Cross Country Series campaign.

The first leg of the campaign is next weekend from Friday to Saturday at Lichtenburg in the North West before the racers come to Dundee in mid­May. The new Ford Performance Puma Lubricants partnership will see the NWM­run squad fielding three Class T Ford Ran­ gers for this season in what is widely regarded as one of the world’s most competitive do­ mestic cross country champi­ onships.

“Cross country racing is the toughest proving ground for the Built Ford Tough Ran­

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ger, and is the cornerstone of our motorsport programme in South Africa with the Ford Per­ formance brand,” said Neale Hill, director of marketing, sales and service at Ford Motor Com­ pany of Southern Africa. “We are delighted to welcome Puma Lubricants to the team.

“This fantastic partnership with Ford Performance and Pu­ ma Lubricants will allow Neil Woolridge Motorsport to up the ante even further in its efforts to secure the fiercely competitive Class T Production Vehicle championship this year, and we

Neil Woolridge with one of the 30 Ford race vehicles built by Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) since 2000.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED wish them every success.”

Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) has enjoyed a long and

proud association with Ford, having built 30 Ford race vehi­ cles since 2000.

Based in Pietermaritzburg, NWM is the global manufactur­ er and supplier of the FIA Class T1­specification Ranger cross country vehicle programme, which was developed in collabo­ ration with Ford Performance in the United States.

The team has produced 16 ve­ hicles to date as part of this pro­ gramme, which competes local­ ly and internationally.

Puma Energy operates across 49 countries and five conti­ nents, and has put over two dec­ ades of knowledge and expertise into its lubricant offer. — WR,

For more information on Witness Wheels advertising Contact Avir on 033 355 1152 or 084 278 3447 Avir@witness.co.za