Weekly Torque 20April2018 by Your Local Wagga Weekly

FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018 || ISSUE 001

INSIDE >> Best buys across the Riverina >> P2 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On >>

P13 Girl Torque With Tegan Muirhead

PAGE 3

PATH TO

PURCHASE

|| BY MATTHEW VANDERMARK

PAGE 5

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL GUIDE FOR EVERYTHING ON WHEELS From skate boards to semis & cars to caravans. We have all your wheels covered.

|| DRIVER’S SIDE

WELCOME TO THE

FIRST EDITION KIEREN TILLY

TORQUE BIG WHEEL If you would like to be included in next weeks edition please contact Kieren on:

kieren@waggaweekly.com.au 0406 533 569 | 02 6923 3900

Following on from the success of Riverina Weekly Real Estate, your team here at Wagga Weekly is launching a locally based motoring lift-out called simply…Weekly Torque.

And how, might you ask, are we intending on making this lift out different given the amount of motoring related websites and writing out there?

While designed to showcase the businesses in our region associated with all things with wheels we hope to provide you, our loyal readers with entertaining articles and advice from a number of local experts in their ﬁelds regarding all aspects of choosing and using vehicles from bicycles to prime movers.

Quite simply we are not only concentrating on the Wagga region, but also catering for speciﬁc groups such as female motorists and enthusiasts, of which there are thousands.

The team at Weekly Torque understands that the purchase of a motor vehicle for the family or business is one of the biggest investments which can be made and is second only to the purchase of a family home. With the assistance of local dealers, mechanics and motoring related services in and around Wagga we will provide you, the prospective buyer, with insights and advice to pin-point exactly what you require out of your next vehicle, be it an SUV, a triathlon bike or that dream car you always promised yourself you would get one day.

We want to reflect the diversity of the motoring industry across the region, including motorsports, touring and reflecting the lifestyle that is motoring in all its guises, plus taking an active role in improving driving in general and reflecting a change in attitude as to how we treat our fellow road users. With a mix of automotive advice and readercontributed content, we are looking to create both a fun read and a resource for those making big decisions regarding their next purchase. We look forward to you our readers taking this journey with us. Love your driving and travel safely.

|| IN THIS ISSUE Welcome to Torque

What’s On

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Path to Purchase

Wagga 4WD Club Celebrates 40 Years

Q&A with Kade Passlow

WHAT’S

Bolton Park Skate Park Snake Sessions Saturday 21 April

Torquing Road Trips, or Family Torque

Quintrex’s new Apex Hull

Girl Torque With Tegan Muirhead

Karting satisﬁes Need for Speed

Track star on track for recovery

Round One Wagga Motocross Club Championships

Branch Nebula professional skaters, BMX riders, dancers, and parkourists have captivated audiences from the Sydney Festival to Hong Kong, Finland and Chile. Now it’s Wagga’s turn with an event hosted by Wagga Wagga City Council. So get down to Bolton Park between 11.00am and 6.00pm and catch all the action.

Sunday 29 April.

Australian Motorsport Action Group (AMSAG) Rosewood Rally

Tumut MTB Three-Hour

Saturday 28 April

Hosted by Wagga District Car Club at Rosewood Golf Course Tumbarumba Road, Rosewood.

Wagga Motorcycle Sports Club, Cloughs Road, Yarragundry. Riders of all capabilities are encouraged to get involved so head out for a day of senior and junior motocross racing. Canteen facilities will be available on the day.

Sunday 29 April

At Tumut State Forest, Sydney Street. So, if you have a mountain bike and feeling ﬁt the three hour event is a great way to test your endurance.

Around the pits at Yarragundry Speedway 15 If you would like to be included in next weeks WHAT’S ON email details to kieren@waggaweekly.com.au

2 || FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE

ON THE COVER MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS

ARRIVES IN WAGGA Australia lays claim to being the birthplace of the ute, a concept which has spread around the world with fundamental and up-market versions being sold in their thousands. Now the ute has entered the prestige market with the Mercedes-Benz X-class ute. The released this month the X-class ute marks a new level of sophistication. The vehicle has received an ANCAP ﬁve-star rating and is a leader in passive safety features, including being the ﬁrst vehicle of its type to offer an autonomous breaking system, which provides a level of passenger security not seen previously in this class of vehicle. The X-class comes in three equipment levels, Pure, Progressive and Power Acknowledging, and creates a vehicle which is not normally associated with quietness on the road Mercedes-Benz has gone to great lengths to ensure travellers experience reduced road noise and vibration as well as tyre and wind noise, especially at highway speed. Safety features have been considered also with Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) and seven airbags standard across the range.

camera associated with the PARKTRONIC parking system. The 360-degrees camera view makes the area immediately surrounding the vehicle visible, both from a bird’s-eye view and below the window line. It also identiﬁes nearby obstacles, warning of their proximity with audible and visual alerts. The PARKTRONIC system and 360-degrees camera is and option available for the Progressive equipment level.

Mercedes-Benz also produces heavy duty towbars and wiring harness for both the 4x4 models and the 4x2 models. The rear tray payload capacity is 1000 kilograms and various options are available, including dividers to protect equipment in the payload area.

Each of the ute’s four doors feature large storage receptacles, supplementing space in a centre console for smaller items.

Being a vehicle which resembles an SUV in terms of cabin comfort and life’s little luxuries and feel on the road, the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is a stand out in the Australian car market as a work utility and in the sports utility range.

Apart from the cabin features, passengers will appreciate the space resulting from the wide track in the X-class while the driver’s positioning ensures the best possible view of the road along with plenty of comfort and support for long drives. There are three models on offer in the X-class, the X220d, X250d and X350d. There are a number of engines options with the X220d and X250d receiving a 4-cylinder turbodiesel married to a 7-speed auto gearbox or 6-speed manual. The X350d receives a V6 turbo producing 190kW and 550Nm which is attached to a 7-speed automatic gearbox with a 6-speed manual available as an option. With its V6 turbo, the X350d is one of the most powerful work utes currently available in Australia.

THE X-CLASS UTE MARKS A NEW LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION

Driving comfort and safety is enhanced through a multilink rear suspension. With coil springs it is sure footed on lesser used roads and is equally at home on the freeway, impressing with its stability at high speed.

With the rugged dependability familiar to MercedesBenz owners around the world, this latest release combines an attention-grabbing exterior which looks good on the building site while, at the same time, being stylish around town. The interior is unmistakably Mercedes-Benz. The options can include wood grain trim and Artico leather for that extra touch of luxury. Other interior options include a 21cm information and entertainment screen which doubles as a viewing screen for the driver assist all-round

|| BY KIEREN TILLY

There are nine exterior colours available in three non-metallic and six metallic paint ﬁnishes.

A lot of business gets done in work utes while travelling. Mercedes-Benz has acknowledged this and designed an ofﬁce on four wheels, plush, quiet and with mod cons expected from the world’s leading car manufacturer, but still capable of climbing dirt tracks. Mercedes-Benz is a European car manufacturer which has created a class leading “beaut ute”. If you want a test drive, contact Wagga Motors Mercedes-Benz today 6933 0100.

An added feature of the X350d is the 4MATIC allwheel drive system with rear differential lock and a low range gearbox to allow the vehicle to travel at slower speeds while still operating within the usable power band/RPM range of the engine. In addition, the X350d has a wading depth of 600mm, optional protection underneath with a 3-piece underguard made from stainless steel extending over the entire underﬂoor of the vehicle, protecting the engine, the transmission and the exhaust system with openings that make it easier to carry out repair and maintenance work. YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE || FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018 || 3

Can’t wait? Don’t wait. Great offers available right now.

White

Black

Tucson

i30

20,990

from

drive away

Plus $500 free accessories^

Kona with Auto

26,990

from

27,990

from

drive away

Plus $750 free accessories^

Santa Fe 7 Seat Auto

drive away

40,990

from

drive away

Plus 1.1% P.A. comparison rate+ 20% deposit required

Plus $500 free accessories^

Plus $2,000 free accessories^

Ask about CarPlan. Lifetime Service Plan

5 Year Unlimited Km Warranty

Roadside Support Plan

Locate your dealer at hyundai.com.au or call 1800 186 306.

All cars must be ordered & delivered between 1st April 2018 and 30th April 2018. Finance to approved applicants (excludes Government, Rental and Large Fleet Buyers). Finance offer applies to all Kona models with a maximum finance term of 4 years and minimum 20% deposit. Finance offer applies to all Santa Fe models with a maximum finance term of 3 years and minimum 20% deposit. +1.1% P.A. comparison rate is based on a 5 year secured consumer fixed rate loan of $30,000. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Credit criteria, fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Finance applications must be approved and settled by 30/04/2018. Finance provided by St.George Bank – A Division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33007457141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714. ^Calculated at RRP including fitment and is applicable to 2017 production only. Dealers will not substitute the offer with another offer. A. $20,990 drive away price applies to i30 Go 2.0 Petrol Manual model with non-metallic paint. B. $27,990 drive away price applies to Tucson Active 2.0 2WD Petrol Manual model with non-metallic paint. C. $26,990 drive away price applies to Kona Active 2.0 Petrol Automatic model with non-metallic paint. D. $40,990 drive away price applies to Santa Fe MY18 Active X Automatic DM5 model with non-metallic paint. Drive away price includes the recommended retail price, 12 months registration, compulsory third party insurance, dealer delivery charge and stamp duty. Offer valid whilst stocks last and excludes govt, fleet and rental buyers. Hyundai reserves the right to change, supersede or extend these offers at its discretion. Metallic and Mica paint are optional extras and are an additional cost. See your participating Hyundai dealer for details. i30 winner of 2017 Car Sales Best Family Car Under $30K ($30K is not a drive away price). Lifetime Service Plan: For the benefit of Hyundai owners, Hyundai provides online quotes which specify the maximum price applicable for a vehicle’s next scheduled maintenance service at a participating authorised Hyundai dealer and using genuine Hyundai parts (where required). Online quotes are available at www.hyundai.com.au, apply for a stated effective period only and may change after that effective period without notice. Standard scheduled maintenance services are of limited scope. The benefit of online quotes is available for all Hyundai’s, for their lifetime. 5 year/unlimited km warranty: Applies to new passenger vehicles used for private/domestic purposes. Excludes vehicles used at any time for “commercial application” as defined in the vehicle warranty policy, for which a 5 year/130,000km (whichever occurs first) warranty applies. Refer to full warranty terms & conditions for details and exclusions. Roadside Support Plan: Complimentary 12 months Roadside Support when you purchase a new Hyundai passenger vehicle (excluding rental buyers). Further Roadside Support extensions are available, each for 12 months from the date of a scheduled maintenance service at a participating authorised Hyundai dealer (unless vehicle is more than 108 months (9 years) from the original new car sale date, in which case entitlement to Roadside Support ends when vehicle reaches 120 months (10 years) from original new car sale date). Find out more about all Hyundai iCare plans and offers, including terms and conditions, by visiting www.hyundai.com.au. HMCA14316/FPC/DLR

PATH TO PURCHASE || BY MATTHEW VANDERMARK

It’s widely accepted that a new car is the second most expensive purchase most people will make in their lives so there’s a lot of pressure to make the right choice. Add to that the mind boggling range of car brands and models available and it’s understandable why many people find the new car buying process overwhelming. It’s certainly a journey, but one that will richly reward the effort you put in for years to come. When choosing a new car, I’ve always been fascinated by the tussle that takes place between the rational left side of the brain and the creative right side. Although most of us justify our choice of a new car to friends and family based on the rational side, such as safety features, efficiency, technology, servicing, cost etc, the creative side also strongly influences the purchase decision. Cars can be beautiful design pieces so who wouldn’t want one proudly parked in their driveway. Manufacturers spend huge amounts of money on how their cars look and on advertising their brand. Although we prefer not to admit it, we’re all sensitive to varying degrees about what our new car says about us and the image it projects. Who hasn’t made assumptions about people based on the car they drive?

Think about your personal situation and individual needs. If you are older, just the ease of getting in and out of a vehicle can be very important. The more demands and considerations you can think of, the better chance you have of identifying the car that will best ﬁt the function. List your considerations in order of importance. Try to discern between what’s a must have and what’s a nice to have. With this list you should be able to identify the right category of car, if not actual models. The aim is to create a long list of vehicles you think might ﬁt the bill. Now you need to whittle this down to a short list. Start researching actual products on the internet. Begin with brand websites and explore their range, then look for independent, unbiased reviews on individual models. If you want to drill down to the nitty gritty, sites such as www.autogefuhl.de provide unbelievable detail.

And I can’t stress enough how important word of mouth is. If you have friends, family or acquaintances who are driving a car you are interested in, talk to them, pick their brains. Discover what they like, or dislike, about it. What Although a daunting process, be assured that when has the post sales and servicing experience been like. There’s no better review or recommendation you’re driving out of the showroom cocooned in a beautifully presented, spotless interior and enjoying than from people who are driving the actual cars you’re considering. There’s the new car smell, the effort also the option of exploring and research put in will pay you There’s no substitute for opinions via online chat rooms. back in spades. getting behind the wheel, But be mindful, these can be Here’s some advice that might influenced by marketers and pushing the buttons, help on your new car buying journey. Start by writing down exploring the technology advertising. anything and everything and talking to salespeople. Try to settle on a short list of three to five vehicles which will you feel is an important have you ready for the next consideration. phase – the test drive. Be brutally honest about what functions your new There’s no substitute for getting behind the wheel, car will be fulfilling. Where will it be driven, how far, how often, on what sort of roads, will you be towing, pushing the buttons, exploring the technology and talking to salespeople. off-roading, or parking in busy shopping malls, do you need boot space, who is the car for - you, a Dealerships, with their big shiny showrooms, can be family, clients, how much technology do you really intimidating places. I’ve visited hundreds in my life need. and it’s still daunting. But, although often maligned,

most car salespeople are simply looking to sell you a vehicle that’s going to keep you happy for years. It’s in their interest to start a relationship that will have you coming back to buy your next vehicle as well as parts and servicing in the meantime. But if you feel disrespected, ignored or they’re just not listening, go somewhere else. There are hundreds of dealerships in the Riverina. Don’t pretend to be a mechanically minded expert if you’re not. Around 95 per cent of us aren’t. I stopped trying to understand how engines work when manufacturers started ﬁtting them sideways. Ask as many questions as possible. Don’t worry if they might seem silly or naive. I guarantee salespeople will have heard sillier. Finally, the elephant in the room – the price. The best advice I can give is to distinguish the difference between cheap and value. Remember that cars are an ongoing cost so be sure you understand what the warranties and guarantees cover and for how long. Check whether there are any retail events the dealerships might be having in the near future. There are times of the year when most major brands have sales which can potentially save you big dollars. If you are in the process of choosing the right new car for your needs, email kieren@waggaweekly. com.au. We’d be very interested in hearing about your new car journey. Happy motoring.

YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE || FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018 || 5

119 Fitzmaurice St, Wagga Wagga

P (02) 6921 4536

waggacyclecentre.com.au

OWN THE ROAD MAKE IT YOURS

AT 2.99% P.A. FINANCE* THERE’S NO MORE EXCUSES. | COMPARISON RATE 4.99% P.A.†

PHIL’S GARAGE HARLEY-DAVIDSON 401 WAGGA ROAD, LAVINGTON 2641 0260400072 Dealer Motor Licence Number: MD20328 www.philsgarage.com.au

*Finance to approved consumer applicants on a secured fixed rate loan product. Finance is under a consumer fixed rate loan with a maximum 48 month term. 10% deposit required. †4.99% P.A. Comparison Rate is based on a 5 year secured consumer fixed rate loan of $30,000. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Credit criteria, fees, charges and terms and conditions apply. Standard Lending criteria applies. Terms and conditions available on request. Subject to suitability. Harley-Davidson Finance is a registered brand name of Harley-Davidson Financial Services International, Inc. and is operated under sub-licence by St.George Bank – A Division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit license 233714. Offer available 3 April 2018 and expires on 31 May 2018. Applications must be submitted and approved by 31 May 2018 and vehicles must be delivered by 15th June 2018. Offer available on selected Street, Sportster® and Softail® model HarleyDavidson® Motorcycles. Offer excludes Touring, CVO’s™, Trike and Anniversary models. While stocks last. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. © H-D 2018. Harley, Harley-Davidson and the Bar & Shield logo are among the trademarks of H-D U.S.A., LLC.

Tumut Toyota

2011 Mitsubishi Triton Gl-R (4x4) Double Cab Utility

$18,990

2.5 Litre turbo diesel, automatic, white, bullbar, side steps, towbar, canopy, BWB87J. Type Used Vehicle Engine/Fuel 2500 cc Colour White Transmission Automatic Body Type Double Cab Utility Kilometres 208,901 VIN MMAJRKB40BD008106 Stock Number N000590

2015 Ford Ranger Wildtrak 3.2 (4x4) Dual Cab Pick-up Towbar, bonnet and headlight protectors, lockable hardcover, one local owner with books, DQG49V. Type Used Vehicle Engine/Fuel 3200 cc Colour Orange Transmission Automatic Body Type Dual Cab Pickup Kilometres 37,315 VIN MNAUMFF50FW440506 Stock Number N000705

$46,990

2013 Nissan Juke Ti-s (AWD) Hatch Hatch, 1.6 Litre petrol, automatic, red, 24,940 kms, CSC44W.

$19,990

Type Used Vehicle Engine/Fuel 1600 cc Colour Red TransmissionContinuous variable Body Type Wagon Kilometres 24,940 VIN SJNFANF15A6443924 Stock Number N000698

2017 Toyota C-hr Wagon (Shadow Platinum & Black R) 2017 Toyota, C-HR, Koba, AWD, wagon, 1.2 Litre petrol, automatic, silver, 1,834 kms, DQG49Y. Type Used Vehicle Engine/Fuel 1200 cc Colour Shadow Platinum + Black Transmission Automatic Body Type Wagon Kilometres 1,837 VIN JTNLY3FX801001883 Stock Number N000708

$36,990

145-147 Wynyard Street, Tumut NSW 2720 • Ph: (02) 6947 1744

GATOR RUN OUT! XUV855D 854 cc, 22.5hp

$19,999*

$12,999*

XUV560

586cc, 16hp A whole lot of power and an attitude to match

this is no show-pony $15,999*

XUV825i

$18,999*

XUV590i 586 cc, 32hp

812cc, 50hp

Built tough for a demanding life *Prices shown in Australian dollars including GST of base unit only. Price does not include pre-delivery, freight, assembly or dealer charges. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Prices are while stocks last, or until July 31st 2018.

get ready for serious fun

Whatever the job. Get it done. 57 Moorong Street Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Phone: (02) 6933 7900 www.hutcheonandpearce.com.au

From our range of John Deere zero-turn and ride-on mowers through our compact tractor range to the largest farming machinery in agriculture today, Hutcheon & Pearce have you covered. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sales, service or parts, our customers are our focus. So come and see the difference we can make to your work, whatever it is.

WAGGA 4WD CLUB

CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

|| BY MARGUERITE MCKINNON

There’s one thing that helps make camping out with friends a success – you need a good joke.

club’s association with charities and helping the community.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson were going camping. They pitched their tent under the stars and went to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night Holmes woke Watson up and said: “Watson, look up at the sky, and tell me what you see.” Watson replied: “I see millions and millions of stars.” Holmes said: “And what do you deduce from that?” Watson replied: “Well, if there are millions of stars, and if even a few of those have planets, it’s quite likely there are some planets like Earth out there. And if there are a few planets like Earth out there, there might also be life.” And Holmes said: “Watson, you idiot, it means that somebody stole our tent.”

“It’s more the social aspect and meeting people and helping the public,” he said.

It’s an Australian tradition to pack up the family, grab a few friends and go camping. Last weekend, those who are very good at camping celebrated 40 years of memories since the Wagga Wagga Four Wheel Drive Club Incorporated began. It was back in January 1978 when Mull of Kintyre by Wings was Australia’s number one single for 11 weeks, that Wagga’s Gil Mathew recalled when he reminisced about the club’s genesis. “Col Dean was a car salesman at Wagga Motors in those days, so Neil Lawrence and I joined him down at Wagga Motors one afternoon and decided that, because there are clubs in Sydney and Melbourne, Wagga was due for a club too,” Gil said. “At the time there was a lot of talk about ‘bushbashing’, so we wanted to create a responsible club that represented fair dinkum, good four-wheel drivers.” The Wagga Four Wheel Drive Club is one of the longest running clubs of its kind in Australia and prides itself on enjoying outdoor experiences and adventures while caring for the environment, learning sound accredited driving techniques and being taught the tricks of good driving with good gear. The club’s motto, Living the Adventure, reﬂects its ethos. Like many in the club, Life Member Gil said there are too many good memories to single out any highlights, but he is particularly proud of the

“Anytime we were asked to help, we would get in and help, and it’s still the same today.” Current Club President, Greg Ogden, joined in 1985 and after a brief hiatus is back on the scene. “I haven’t been active for all of this time as I stopped for a while due to kids and other commitments, but the social side of the 4WD is calling. So I’m back into it again and I love it,” Greg said. The club’s success is attributed to the effort to help members get the most out of using their 4x4 through regular trips away, and training days. “We added up the number of people who have been in the club over the years and it was well over 400 families so we have covered a fair percentage of Wagga’s population,” Greg said. The 40th Anniversary celebration was held at Wagga’s Camp Kurrajong on the Oura Road, where families and friends set up camp and enjoyed the festivities. “We had some motor-khana and tyre rolling events during the day plus an ofﬁcial dinner on Saturday night for more than 100 people from all four decades since the club started in 1978,” Greg said. Those interested in joining the Club can contact it through its Facebook page, Wagga Wagga 4WDrive Club Inc. There is also a web page: www. wagga4wdclub.org or call: 0419 691 218 or Email: secretary.wagga4wdc@gmail.com “We have meetings every third Tuesday of the month at the Wagga RSL Club at 7.30pm, except December when we have a Christmas party instead. And we welcome newcomers,” Greg said. The next club meeting is on 17th April. “We have the mountains to explore, we can easily head out west. Down in Victoria there’s lots of fourwheel-driving, as well as in New South Wales, and beyond, and my personal favourite is Australia’s desert regions. There is so much out there,” Greg said.

Q&A WITH

Kade Passlow Kade Passlow has been the owner of Passlow Auto Electrical and Air Conditioning for four years and took time out to chat to Weekly Torque about what makes him what he is. Kade described his greatest achievements as ﬁnishing his trade, opening his business and he and his partner Meg purchasing their farm for the family. Q: What is your nickname? A: Pazzaz Q: What is your favorite food? A: Steak Q:Who is your hero? A: Chad Reed Q: Do you have any hobbies? A: Motocross Q: What is your favourite movie? A: Days of Thunder Q: First motor vehicle A: Mini Q: Describe your sport in one word? A: Fun Q: Describe yourself in two words: A: Funny, Honest Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person? A: Dog person Q: Favourite holiday destination? A: Las Vegas

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Are you doing the required aerial lift inspections on your boom and scissor lifts? - 90 Day Inspection Service - Annual Inspection Service - Major inspection in accordance with Australian Standard AS2550 part 10

Forklift Repairs & Servicing We understand how costly down time is!!! So you can rest assured that we will be there to sort out your material handling problems faster than anyone.

Prevention is better than repair. With regular professional inspections and services, you can reduce machine breakdownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to a minimum.

Factory trained technicians

CALL NOW TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT

TORQUING ROAD TRIPS, OR FAMILY TORQUE

|| BY MATTHEW VANDERMARK

Have you seen the current TV advertisement in which three kids are sitting in the back of a car, headphones on with mouths slightly open, staring, zombie like at a screen hanging from the car ceiling? Cut to Mum and Dad up front, looking well pleased at creating an environment where the kids might as well be sitting at home in front of the TV, completely oblivious to the road trip happening around them. I think it’s an absolute tragedy that advertisers believe this could be aspirational. Do you remember family road trips when you were a kid? I remember being so excited the night before I could barely sleep. My parents and three siblings would get up super early, usually it was still dark, so we could begin the adventure as soon as possible. For a while it was thrilling enough to be driving through the night, dozing in the back seat listening to the hum of the tyres on the bitumen. As the sun rose, we’d dig out the entertainment packs Mum had prepared for us – activity books, coloured pencils, reading books, playing cards etc. Then, when it was fully light and we’d had enough of joining the dots and colouring in, the real family

engagement would start – usually beginning with the age-old question: “Are we there yet?”. (Our family record for asking this question was during a trip from Canberra to Moe when my brother at age six asked, ‘Are we were there yet?’ before we’d turned out of our home street.) Now, as a parent, I look back and deeply appreciate how much fun, and just what quality time these trips were to us as a family. For the past 15 years, my wife and ﬁve kids have made an annual road trip from Sydney to Collingullie to stay with family on their wonderful farm. If we hadn’t played ‘I spy’ for so many hours, I wouldn’t have treasured memories such as a young daughter proudly revealing that her ‘something beginning with ‘S’ that none of us was able to guess was the ‘Esky’ in the boot. Or an even younger daughter indignantly arguing with her siblings that her ‘something beginning with ‘W’ was truly ‘Dolphins’ (from memory, we were passing through the dolphin free town of Yass at the time.) A father I know used to enjoy telling his kids on long, hot summer drives to “wind the windows up – there’s a dead animal ahead” before quietly passing wind. It took several years for his kids to

stop marvelling at just how bad a dead animal can smell and realise no animal could smell that bad dead or alive. OK, I’m not suggesting to Riverina parents that this is an appropriate example of family engagement. But when was the last time you wound the windows down, felt the breeze, smelled the eucalyptus, the ocean or the crops? In this age of Satellite Navigation and in-car entertainment, have we lost the joy of getting lost, stopping somewhere unplanned because the sign looked interesting or the place had an unusual name? Why do we always try to get somewhere quicker than last time? What’s wrong with taking the long way home? Here’s a suggestion. On your next road trip, try talking to each other. Ask your kids about a topic they may be curious about and use the time to explain and discuss it with them. Play games with your kids – or even better, invent them. The more time goes by, the more you will be glad you did it and the time on the road will seem a lot shorter.

YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE || FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018 || 11

THE PEAK OF BOATING IS HERE

WITH THE RELEASE OF QUINTREX’S NEW APEX HULL After years of research, Quintrex has released the Apex Hull design set to revolutionise the boating industry. From humble beginnings in 1945 Quintrex has remained the leader in aluminum boat research and development for more than 70 years. From the introduction of the Flared Bow in 1968, the Millenium hull in 1999 and the Blade Hull in 2011 Quintrex has now released a hull like never before – the Apex Hull. True to its name, the Apex Hull offers the pinnacle of boating with years of research and development leading to superior performance on the water.

RIDE The flare on the Apex Hull is carried further aft to maintain continual contact with the water when on the plane, which creates a smoother ride. A wider, sweeping chine design on the Apex Hull opens the front of the hull to allow the flaring to carry further forward up the stem lines, improving rough water performance. By widening the chine on the Apex Hull, Quintrex has achieved increased stability and grip when cornering.

12 || FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE

Increased surface area at the bow of the Apex Hull provides much greater lift, ensuring a level attitude.

SPACE The new RSD (Raised Side Decks) featured on selected Apex models is fully-welded and increased the overall internal volume of the boat by 20 per cent. The new RSD feature also increases freeboard by 80mm, offering extra comfort, safety and fishability. A compact side deck design also maximises internal width in the Apex Hull. The forked bow creates room for a large bow seating area on Freestyler models and a large casting platform on Frontier models. Overall, the footprint of the Apex Hull has increased by five per cent.

AESTHETICS The lines of the Apex Hull combined with the forked bow, RSD, and sleek windscreen profile (on Freestyler models) provide a much more modern look. The new upholstery design featured on the Apex Hull, requires less fittings, resulting in a simple and clean looking internal finish.

Quintrex Account Managers, Drew Jackson and Nathan Shaw, said they expect the Apex Hull to exceed expectations. “We released the Apex Hull to our dealer network at a recent conference on the Gold Coast and where overwhelmed with their response, Nathan said. “Our dealers love the new design and we have already received great orders and customer enquiry. “I encourage anyone to test drive one of the Apex Hulls because the results speak for themselves, it is a truly great design,” he said. For more information contact Stephen McDonell or Stuart Ockerby at Riverina Marine Centre located at 3871 Sturt Hwy, Wagga. Alternately you can call on 02 69228444 or email sales@riverinamarinecentre.com.au

GIRL TORQUE WITH

TEGAN MUIRHEAD

|| BY KIEREN TILLY

“DON’T BE SCARED, GIVE IT A GO, BE YOURSELF. BE A SPONGE AND SOAK UP KNOWLEDGE” Horsepower comes in may different guises and for Tegan Muirhead, she embraces them all. The heavy diesel mechanic apprentice gets the machinery version of horsepower and the more traditional horsepower through her passion for the very specialised national level dressage. When I caught up with Tegan at the Wagga Wagga City Council’s Alan Turner Depot the 24-year-old was enjoying her career with spanner in hand and not a horse in sight. Tegan, who is best described as a petite lady, was working on a 20-horsepower Kubota loader which requires an engine replacement

before heading back to the Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre at Bomen.

Karting satisfies

NEED FOR

SPEED

|| BY KIEREN TILLY

Describing the task ahead to remove and replace the motor, Tegan said, “There will be bolts, nuts, hoses and an alternator.”

Fast cars and speed are the dreams of Erin Kean from Coolamon. The 21-year-old has a particularly exciting 5-door hatch Mazda 3 MPS, but her dream car is a classic Subaru WRX STI or a Ferrari 458 Italia, or a Ford 250 GTO. She’s not fussy.

But, she wasn’t fazed by the job, drawing on her experiences growing up on the family farm at Merriwagga in the western Riverina.

In the interim Erin gets her adrenaline rush racing around the Wagga and District Kart Racing Club circuit at speeds in excess of 100km/hr.

“I was driving by the time I was 10 and always helped Dad where I could, working on machinery with him. The best way you would ever want to grow up,” Tegan said.” Reminiscing about her experiences growing up on the farm was tempered with her memories of the inevitable tough times which face farming families. “We were running both livestock and cropping but in the 2000 drought we destocked. From that point mum and dad changed over to dry area cropping. “As much as mums and dads might want to insulate their kids from the farms problems no one is immune. Not even the kids,” she said. However, she said one of her great joys was to return to the farm and help at harvest time. The visit also includes ﬁshing, camping and national level dressage competition as her favourite past times to unwind. She said her time at Wagga TAFE was enjoyable, but conceded looking forward to getting back to the workshop and learning on the job. “All the guys are fantastic and supportive they accept me for me,” she said. Tegan also had some advice for any women thinking about joining a heavy diesel mechanic apprenticeship. “Don’t be scared, give it a go, be yourself. Be a sponge and soak up knowledge.” She concluded.

An auditor, Erin certainly does not ﬁt into the normal deﬁnition of the profession and admits she’s a bean counter with an addiction to adrenaline. A regular competitor at the local go-kart racing track, she is one of the slower drivers, but gives each race her best shot. Erin began go-karting around three years ago, and, with the help of her very proud dad, Jamie, races in the KA4 Senior Light competition. Driving a 100cc go-kart and regularly hitting around 102km/hr on the track, Erin describes the experience as “hanging it out on the ragged edge” and an “amazing feeling”. When pressed on the recent upgrade to the surface of the track she felt the track was great and would result in her getting a lot less bruises as many of the bumps had been smoothed over. Bruising is apparently an occupational hazard depending where you choose to race as any imperfections found in the surface of the track are forcibly passed into the driver’s body via the structure of the kart. Sitting in the shade recovering from her last effort on the track Erin spoke candidly about the part go-karting can play in preparing young people for learning to drive. Appreciating how to control a vehicle, improving coordination and reaction time learnt in a kart were real skills which would pay dividends in the future and make the roads safer for everyone.

ANYTHING ON WHEELS

$16,990 of finance from $69 per week*

A WIDE VARIETY OF 4WD’S, HERE IS JUST ONE!

CARS S – CAR CARAVANS CARA AVANS AV VANS – TRAI TRAILERS

PH. 6925 0003

2010 Holden Colorado LX, 5 sp Manual 4x4, 3L turbo diesel, 165***km, 3 months NSW Rego. Stereo, air con, air bags, central locking, power steering

GREAT FIRST CAR

GREAT VALUE

LIC No.20362 54 DOBNEY AVE WAGGA WAGGA

$9,990

$7,9 9 0

of finance from $58 per week*

finance available*

2009 TOYOTA COROLLA ASCENT

2006 SUZUKI SWIFT

4 sp Automatic, 1.8 Litre, 78***km, 3 months NSW rego, dealer warranty. Stereo, air con, air bags, central locking, power steering

4 sp Automatic, 1.5 Litre, 32***km, 3 months NSW Rego. Stereo, ABS, air con, air bags, central locking, power steering

$2,990

Prices start from

$1,850

finance available*

SEVERAL HONDA SUPERCUB 110 POSTIE SCOOTERS

2000 HYUNDAI ACCENT,

Semi-automatic, 110cc, 1 cylinder, petrol. Range from 2013-2015, speedo’s range from 19***km to 27***km.

FAST AND EASY NO DEPOSIT FINANCE

Good credit, bad credit, discharged bankrupt, employed, self employed, receiving government benefits**, our finance rep can assist you with purchasing your next vehicle! *To Approved Purchasers, conditions Apply **Newstart, abstudy and youth allowance not accepted

4 sp Automatic, 1.5 Litre, 115***km, June rego. Stereo, air con, air bags, power steering

54 Dobney Ave, Wagga Wagga

02 69250003

WWW.ANYTHINGONWHEELSWAGGA.COM www.facebook.com/Anythingonwheelswagga

Get everything you need to fill your shed. Air Equipment & Accessories | Fibreglass supplies Woodworking Equipment | Wood finishes Nailers & Nails | Hand Tools, Boxes and Toolkits Peerless Air-compressor | Trax Products Eastwood Restoration Products | Abrasives and Adhesives

... AND MORE! (02) 6925 2112

43 Pearson St, Wagga Wagga - www.rogerstoolsandmore.com.au

Isaac Norden, 11, from Leeton, rides an 80cc. Loves the speed. Always goes hard.

TRACK STAR

ON TRACK FOR RECOVERY

|| BY KIEREN TILLY

Brandon Demmery sits on a bike stand talking to me in his family workshop in Wagga, the frame of a hulking Yamaha R3 awaiting a rebuild looms over him. Despite not having a front wheel, the machine looks like it wants to go racing. Dressed in cargo shorts there is no missing the damage the three times National 300 Super Sport series title holder Brandon suffered at Phillip Island in October 2017 during a Super series race. The incident in which three bikes rode over him after he was taken out by another racer saw an extensive stay in hospital. However, he is well on the way to recovery and his doctors are happy with the progress. So is Brandon because he has been able to throw a leg over one of his bikes and turn in a few laps. For a man prepared to push his body and his bikes to around 200km/hr he doesn’t come across as your typical adrenaline junkie. Far from it. Twenty-year-old Brandon Demmery is best described as a cool customer. With a supportive family behind him, Brandon had his initiation to motorbikes at three years of age on his grandparent’s farm. “My grandfather, my dad and my uncle are very inspiring people. They know the importance of hard work, and, just as importantly, enjoying down time,” Brandon said. Racing motocross from ﬁve years of age he eventually moved over to circuit racing and the road ahead looks very bright.

to over think the situation are all necessary for me to do well on race day,” Brandon said, adding that on race days he can consume up to six cups of coffee for breakfast and is a big fan of yogurt and oatmeal.

Rhett Hodges, 7, from Wagga, rides a KTM. Loves motocross and track racing.

AROUND THE PITS

AT YARRAGUNDRY SPEEDWAY

The success of Brandon and his team, Brando Racings, relies on numerous other factors, not least his immediate family and friends. However, a signiﬁcant factor is ﬁnancial support with a set of only two racing tyres costing up to $500 and a single race meeting could absorb three sets On top of that, travel, accommodation and fuel all add to the motor racing expenditure and are all feature in Brandon’s budgeting. As a result, Brandon is thankful for having sponsors. “Our sponsors continue to give us great longterm support and we could not go racing without them,” he said.

Ben Miller, 18, from Temora, rides a Honda in 450cc and unlimited class.

And ﬁnally, when pressed for advice for motorists sharing the road with motorcyclists and cyclists Brandon asks us all to: “Be aware and don’t assume anything behind the wheel”. Weekly Torque thanks Brandon for his time and wishes him a speedy and full recovery. You can keep track of his success by following Brando Racing on Facebook or visit his website at www.brandoracing.com.au. Ryan New, 19, from Temora, rides a Yamaha YZ 450F. Riding for 10 years.

His success on the track is due to his dedication and desire to succeed as well as the work he does off the track on his ﬁtness, which involves both mental and physical training. Cardio ﬁtness is a large part of his regime and includes cycling, being aware of what he eats, and, where possible, working on endurance. “A positive outlook, staying calm, trying not

Tommy Joyce, 9, from Wagga, rides an 80cc. Likes going ﬂat-out ‘round the turns.

Introducing the X-Class to the Riverina. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class will be here in the Riverina at Wagga Motors in April. Come to Wagga Motors to check out the newest ute on the block. The perfect balance from the meadow to the motorway.

Introducing the X-Class to the Riverina. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class will be here in theRiverina. Riverina at Wagga Motors in April. Come to Wagga Motors to Introducing the X-Class to the

check out the newest ute on the block. The perfect balance from the meadow to the motorway. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class will be here in the Riverina at Wagga Motors in April. Come to Wagga Motors to check out the newest ute on the block. The perfect balance from the meadow to the motorway.

32 Dobney Ave,Ave, Wagga Wagga 02026933 0100 LIC.NO.MD 16726 32 Dobney Wagga Wagga 6933 0100 LIC.NO.MD 16726www.mbwaggawagga.com.au www.mbwaggawagga.com.au