A book called Sixties Motor Racing quotes Denny Hulme on how devil-may-care Formula One drivers back then got ready for a race: "We did the usual things the night before - set fire to the swimming pool and hung the wheels of police cars in the trees." We mention it
because TV One's Documentary New Zealand: Trio at the Top on Monday night looks at the life and times of Kiwi motor-racing greats Hulme, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon. Those who have had a sneak preview say it is a cracker. Switching channels, Auto Motor and Sport tonight reports on a couple of German tuning houses which have added 30 km/h to the standard 911 Porsche Turbo's 300 km/h. The Triangle Television show also looks at one of the most exclusive car dealerships in the world, reports on after-accident counselling, road-tests the Audi A2 and goes for a spin in a turbocharged Alfa Romeo 156.
German prices up
German carmakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz will increase their prices next month. The cost of a new Mercedes-Benz will go up by between 1 and 2 per cent and a new BMW by an average of just over 2 per cent. Rival German Audi said it had no plans to increase prices "at the moment." Mercedes-Benz says its price rise is mostly the result of a factory increase in Germany. BMW says the weaker dollar against the deutschmark has forced its hand. "This is a situation that will be familiar to any company that imports goods for sale, and it is a step we take reluctantly," said Geoff Fletcher, managing director of BMW Group New Zealand. The prices of BMW's new 3-Series Compact range - including the class-leading $39,990 for the 1.8-litre entry-level model - will be frozen until its launch in August.
Powerful type
The most powerful S-Type production Jaguar will be launched in Britain next year. The "R" version's V8 engine will produce 300kW and drive the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. A "hot" version of the upcoming X-Type will appear in 2003. The all-wheel-drive variant will be powered by a supercharged 3-litre V6 producing 240kW. The X-Type sedan will be launched in New Zealand later this year.
Fords on the move
Ford was the best-selling carmaker in New Zealand in April. Land Transport Safety Authority figures for the month show Ford sold 809 cars and commercials, accounting for 17 per cent of the market. Toyota was second with about 16 per cent and Holden third with 15.1 per cent. The big mover for Ford was its four-wheel-drive Escape. About 200 were sold within 40 days of its launch in March. The best-selling passenger car for the first four months of the year was the Holden Commodore, with 1829 sales. In second place was the Ford Falcon with 1220.
Risks too high
This year's TT motorcycle races on the Isle of Man have been cancelled - because of the risk of foot-and-mouth disease. The long-running event was going to be held between May 26 and June 8 but the Manx Government put a stop to it. Fans mostly watch the race from farms around the 60km course and the expected 40,000 visitors posed a risk the Government wouldn't take.
We are the world
* Sir Elton John will auction some of his classic collection of cars next month. Included in the Christie's catalogue is the Ferrari Testarossa he was given for his 40th birthday and the 1987 Bentley in which he attended the 1997 funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
A book called Sixties Motor Racing quotes Denny Hulme on how devil-may-care Formula One drivers back then got ready for a race: "We did the usual things the night before - set fire to the swimming pool and hung the wheels of police cars in the trees." We mention it
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