Media Release

16 October 2008

Weta’s Warthog stars at Full Throttle

The Warthog vehicle that stars in the Halo series of video games will also be starring at Full Throttle.

Full Throttle is Manukau’s new weekend of events for motorsports fans, car fanatics and families. Happening over Labour Weekend, the Saturday and Sunday of Full Throttle will see hundreds of hot rods, classic cars, modern and unique vehicles taking over the Manukau City Council car park.

One of the most unique vehicles will be the fully functioning four wheel drive Warthog created by Weta Workshops for short films to promote Halo 3.

The Warthog has a working gun, digital displays, airbags and the ability to crab crawl as well as four wheel steer.

Manukau engineering company Ikon Engineering helped Weta Workshops with the original design and sourced the donor mechanical parts for the Warthog.

The Warthog is appearing at Full Throttle courtesy of Microsoft, Bungie and Weta Workshop

Full Throttle, which is sponsored by Manukau City Council, also features 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 will start at 5pm on Friday 24 October in Manukau Square with a parade of cars and motorbikes, entertainment and scrutineering of off-road cars.

Also in Manukau city centre for Full Throttle is the Targa rally street circuit on Monday 27 October from 2pm.

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 – Full Throttle Car – nival. 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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