LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Problems can hit even new cars at high speed
I was dismayed to see the article and photo on the front page of HB Today (19/05/2011).
I refer to the the write up of a Master Baker. This idiot was travelling in excess of 200km/h when clocked.
I am nearly 77 years of age and like most farmers' children started driving at a very young age. I started when I was 8 years old. I spent my working life as a mechanic and realise the effects of a mechanical failure, or other problems, at high speed.
Even though the vehicle is a modern car, problems can arise.
Over the years I have seen mechanical failure occur in very new vehicles. Had there been an oil or diesel spillage on the road, a tyre failure or even a small section of loose metal, any fool driving at that speed could have become airborne. What if someone was coming out of a gateway and did not realise this car was approaching at this ludicrous speed?
How do the police feel when they see this clown being turned into some kind of a hero on the front page of our local paper. What would have happened if he had had a head-on collision with another car and maybe terminated some of the lives in the other vehicle. Would he have produced pies shaped like a coffin?
I, for one, look forward to more constructive, not potentially destructive articles, especially on the front page. (abridged)Neville DaviesFlaxmere
Stupid conductI've heard that BJs Bakery is quite good, but as for HB Today giving James front-page advertising on Thursday May 19th for being so stupid as to speed at 202km was not wise.
I can't believe that he got only eight months' disqualification of his licence.
Maybe if he wasn't a baker he would've had 12 months cancellation and the car locked up for a while.
Very good he's going to donate something to the Blue Light Youth Driving Programme, but 50 per cent would be better as there's still profit for the bakery.
I hope he's learnt a lesson, but at 36 he should be setting an example. Is the saying that Big Boys have Big Toys true? I think it actually is.Val KingCliveGiving backThank you for promoting BJ Pies, and especially Red Rocket Pies.
James Buckrell drove at an "absolutely crazy" speed and has a well earned fine of $1250.
He intends to make and sell 2002 commemorative pies at $4.80 each.
He will donate 20 per cent of proceeds (let's be generous and call it takings) of 96c per pie to Blue Light Youth Driving Programme ... Well done. However, it only takes an extra 62.44c of each pie to pay his fine.
Now that's really "one way of giving back to the community".
Thank you HB Today for the free front page advertising.
And he is "an idiot", he says, and sorry?
I don't think so. John BeaumontNapierSee Ed's note in texts.