Media Release

22 August 2008

Major new event to rev up Labour Weekend

A major new event for car enthusiasts and motor racing fans has been announced for this Labour Weekend.

Full Throttle, which is sponsored by Manukau City Council, will feature the DunlopTarga rally and the Iveco 2008 National Off-Road Racing Final. Targa is New Zealand's most unique car racing event and the national off-road final will be the biggest off-road event Auckland has experienced. Full Throttle was launched on Flat Bush's new Ormiston Road Bridge, which will open in October.

Manukau city centre will be a key focus with Targa cars racing around a street circuit for the rally prologue.

The other big attraction at Full Throttle is the National Off-Road final, which is being hosted by the Counties Manukau Off-road Racing Club at Colin Dale Park near Auckland Airport. The national final is the southern hemisphere's fastest off-road race, featuring New Zealand's top drivers.

Over the weekend all types of classic, modern and unique vehicles will also be on show in Manukau city centre. This will include inventions like an amphibian car and motorised furniture, hot rods, Mustangs, a Ferrari, rare motorbikes and a classic 1950s Ford Fairlane.

Acting Manukau Mayor Arthur Anae says Full Throttle is going to be an exciting weekend for motorsports fans, car fanatics and families.

"This is the opportunity for people all around the Auckland region to check out tens of millions worth of vehicles for free or very cheaply. We'll be encouraging people to watch someone else do the driving and have a holiday at home this Labour Weekend.

"Hamilton might have the V8s, but Manukau has Full Throttle. The plan is to make Full Throttle a regular event that will be fun for the family and motor racing fans.

Targa Event Director Peter Martin says the rally will hold its prologue and official start in Manukau for at least three years.

"We've decided to start in Manukau this year because having recently taken over the event it's time to lift the profile of Targa. Where better to start than in a place that is supportive and willing to help us take this event to the next level.

"Targa is a unique event with cars from the 1950s to the latest releases. No other motorsport competition in New Zealand pits such a variety of cars against each other.

"The Targa cars are worth $100,000 to $1 million each. So people will get to see $25 million worth of cars on display for free, where else do you get to see that?

"We've got a great line up of drivers this year. This includes racing legend Steve Millen as our feature driver and local V8 touring car driver Clark Proctor.

Kevin Hall of Counties Manukau Offroad Racing Club says having the nationals in Manukau is great for the club and will be an exciting event for people around the Auckland region to see.

"This is the biggest off road racing event Auckland has seen. We have New Zealand's best off road race drivers and cars in the one place competing for the national title

"Off-road racing is great family entertainment and a sport the whole family can participate in. We have family teams on low budgets through to well-funded corporate teams with $125,000 race cars.

"If you have never seen off-road racing before this is your chance," Mr Hall says.

Photo caption: Acting Mayor Arthur Anae, Kevin Hall of Counties Manukau Off-road Racing Club and Targa Event Director Peter Martin at the launch of Full Throttle on the Ormiston Road Bridge with drivers who will take part in the event.

Full Throttle schedule

Friday 24 October

5pm - Official launch featuring a parade of cars and motorbikes around the city, performance by James Cook High School's Polyfest winning Maori cultural group Te Kapunga, scrutineering of off-road cars. Manukau square, Manukau city centre.

Sixty of New Zealand's best off-road race cars in the Manukau City Council car park. A great chance to see cars and trucks up close, and meet the drivers and crews.

Saturday 25 October

10am - 3.30pm - Iveco 2008 National Off-Road Racing Final. Colin Dale Park, Prices Road. From 10.30 am there will be short-course races, around a 1km track. Get up close to the action and have a full view of the track from two large open public areas. The track features a crowd pleasing jump, high speed sweeping corners and fast straights. Watch the top drivers in New Zealand battle to decide the national champion. $10 on the gate, under 12 year olds free.

1pm - 4pm - Remote control off-road racing, BMX racing, a range of classic to modern vehicles on show, family entertainment. Hayman Park, Manukau city centre.

Sunday 26 October

10am - 3.30pm - Iveco 2008 National Off-Road Racing Final. Colin Dale Park, Prices Road. From 10.30am 60 drivers will fight it out in the morning time trials, only the top five will go through to the shoot out to decide who is the fastest on the track. At 1pm is the main event - a 32 lap feature race around a 5km track, covering a total 160km. Watch the 60 cars and trucks in a mass rolling winner take all start. Enjoy the hot foods available and get behind your favorite drivers. This is great family entertainment. $10 on the gate, under 12 year olds free.

1pm - 4pm, motorised inventions a range of classic to modern vehicles on show. Hayman Park, central Manukau.

Monday 27 October

9am-12 midday - Car clubs and Targa car scrutineering. TelstraClear Pacific, Great South Road.

2pm -Targa rally prologue time trials around Manukau city centre, children's entertainment.

Targa is unique for the range of classic to modern cars competing, these include the feature Ford GT, a 1964 Fiat Arbath and a Ferrari 355 Challenge.

Tuesday 28 October,

7am - Targa rally official start, TelstraClear Pacific.

For more information go to www.manukau.govt.nz/fullthrottle , www.targa.co.nz and www.countiesoffroad.co.nz

ENDS

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