NZ: New track opens - Hampton Downs

Hampton Downs Motorsport Park

Drivers took to the track at the new Hampton Downs Motorsport Park on the first day of the Dunlop Targa rally yesterday.
The seven-day event started in Auckland and will travel down the North Island to Wellington.
Labour Day saw racing at three tracks, Pukekohe Park Raceway, Hampton Downs and Taupo.
The rally was the first motorsport event at the newly completed track near Mercer.
Hampton Downs will host races as part of Rally NZ next May.
Construction of the 3.8km racing circuit began in February 2007, but was delayed by bad weather last winter.
The circuit runs clockwise and has nine corners, five right-hand and four left-hand.
The main straight is 950m long, with a kink in the middle and a 12m rise and fall.
New Zealand's newest motorsport complex, Hampton Downs is located near the existing Meremere drag strip and oval just south of Auckland.
It has three sealed circuits, pit buildings, industrial units, business park, lifestyle blocks, convention centre, restaurant and trackside apartments.

The goal has been to build an entertainment venue for the promotion of motor racing in New Zealand. The venue is proposed to be the country's premier venue and reflects a modern approach to circuit design and associated amenities.
There will be an emphasis on driver training and a testing facility.
Some privately owned trackside apartments will be available for renting.


Check out the Web site - Hampton Downs

Source: NZ Herald

Malaysian ute's score lowest in Crash-test

The Proton Jumbuck ($24,000 NZD) available in New Zealand has being given a dismal safety ratings by independent crash test organisation Ancap (Australasian New Car Assessment Programme).
The two-door Jumbuck was awarded the lowest possible one-star rating after its performance in frontal offset and side impact crash tests.

Ancap scores vehicles from zero to five stars, depending on the safety features and protection of the driver and passengers.
The ute's cabin was severely deformed in the 64km/h offset crash test. It offered poor head protection for the driver and passenger, and poor leg protection for the driver.
It also lacked airbags, ABS, and electronic stability control - a feature that senses skidding and individually brakes the wheels, helping the driver to regain control.

Watch for yourself on You Tube

I wouldn't want to be carting my family around in one... I'd hate to see us go backwards in vehicle safety - and the Proton does that at lightning speed.

Its a cheap and nasty death trap...

GM unveils all new 2011 V-8 Caprice (Holden) police car

Starting in 2011 keep your eyes in the rear-view mirror for this new Australian built GM Caprice police car.
In Denver, Colorado today at the annual International Association of Chiefs of Police, General Motors removed the wraps from the 2011 Chevy Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV).
GM displayed the prototype while at the same time confirming plans to build the V-8 and V-6 Caprice that will only be available to police departments and not the general public.

The Caprice is a rebadged Holden Commodore (Statesman) produced in Australia.
The Holden (Chev Caprice) has been part of the New Zealand and Australian Police fleet since about 2007.