New Zealand-born Air Marshall Sir Kenneth Hayr, who died last Saturday at an air show in Britain, had strong motor-racing connections here. He grew up with Phil Kerr, the former joint managing director of McLaren Racing. The pair met at school in Auckland and remained lifelong friends. Former New Zealand drag racing champion Garth Hogan was another friend. Hogan, who took to flying when his racing days were over, bought a Russian-built Yak and joined the Yak formation flying team lead by Sir Kenneth. The team, once called the Yakrobats but more recently known as Red Section, were a popular sight at air shows around New Zealand. Sir Kenneth died on the 31st anniversary of the death of driver Bruce McLaren.
On the buses
A book detailing what young Kiwis and Aussies get up to on bus tours of Europe will be launched in Melbourne tomorrow. Rule No. 5: No Sex on the Bus; Confessions of a Tour Leader by advertising executive Brian Thacker is described as "sordid but very funny." It is an account of 20 trips he led as a tour guide for an unnamed bus company. He labels Oktoberfest, the annual beer festival in Munich, Germany, as more "like the Munich beer-induced bonking fest ... with passengers and crew alike going at it in shower blocks, in tents, under trees, against trees, in trees and in the bus." The launch will be held ... on a bus.
Phone home
The latest satellite navigation system will be available in cars in Britain before the end of the year. The new service combines mobile-phone technology with the car's stereo. Drivers phone for directions, which are broadcast through the car's speakers.
VW down under
Bigwigs from Volkswagen HQ in Germany turned up in Sydney the other day for the opening of the carmaker's new Asia-Pacific corporate headquarters. Board member Dr Robert Buchelhofer, president of the Asia-Pacific operation, said VW intended to build a "very solid business in the region."
Fashion police
American civil rights leader Reverend Jessie Jackson has accused Toyota of insensitivity over an advertising campaign for the four-wheel-drive Rav 4. One of a series of mail-drop postcards showed a black person smiling to expose a tooth adorned with a miniature gold Rav 4. Toyota had already axed the campaign before Jackson's complaints but the civil rights campaigner maintained the "creation and placement of offensive marketing material speaks to the persistent problems of racial and cultural insensitivity." Toyota said the postcard reflected fashion trends and was aimed at the young and style-conscious, not specifically black people. The image was selected, said the carmaker, "because it combined a warm smile with a leading-edge fashion statement."
Impreza new look
Subaru New Zealand takes the covers off its WRX Impreza STi this week. The road-going rally rocket will cost a tad under $70,000. That's if you can get one - the first shipment has sold out. The new Legacy also arrives soon, minus pop icon Jennifer Lopez, the face of Subaru in Japan. Lopez' endorsement contract is for Japan-only products.
Urban animals
The market for town-and-around four-wheel-drive station wagons is increasing worldwide. Subaru started the trend with the Legacy Outback. Volvo followed with the Cross Country, then came Audi with the All Road. Now Ford is getting in on the act in Britain with an Outback-like Mondeo and Renault is testing a similar crossover model of its Laguna. It offers a more luxurious alternative to the Scenic RX4, which has just gone on sale here. The Laguna features wider wheel arches, black plastic bumpers, chunky tyres, a higher ride height and the choice of petrol or diesel engines.
We are the world
* Residents of Massachusetts convicted of drink-driving twice within 10 years might have to have a licence plate starting with OUI (Operating Under the Influence) if some state legislators get their way.
Motor-racing links
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.