Judges announced for 2007 AA Motoring Excellence A

Media Release: 12 February 2007

Judges announced for 2007 AA Motoring Excellence Awards

The AA has announced the seven judges that will be the motoring expertise behind this year’s AA Motoring Excellence Awards.

The judges are:
- Brian Cowan, Chief Judge and Sunday News Motoring Editor
- Emma Gilmour, New Zealand Rally Driver
- Jacqui Madelin, President of the NZ Motor Writers Guild & Editor of AA Torque Magazine
- Dave Moore, Motoring Editor of The Press and The Dominion Post
- David Linklater, Herald on Sunday Motoring Writer
- Rob Maetzig, Taranaki Daily News Motoring Editor
- Mark Leishman, TV personality and avid motoring enthusiast.

Although focused on the 2007 New Zealand Rally Championship in April, Rally Driver Emma Gilmour didn’t have to think twice about returning to the AA Motoring Excellence Awards judging panel for the third year in a row.

Emma and fellow judge Mark Leishman are considerably outnumbered on the judging panel by motoring journalists.

“I think Mark and I bring fresh eyes to the judging process. Judging vehicles on their merits is part of the everyday job for motoring journalists. However, we are somewhat more removed and can provide a different perspective,” says Emma.

“Because of the large number of cars this year, judges will have to keep to really strict timeframes during testing week. But it’s still a lot of fun driving all the different vehicles, especially the Performance cars.”

Emma says “while you do tend to have personal favourites amongst the cars, when it comes to the actual judging process the entries still have to stack up on the scorecards.”

Stella Stocks, AA General Manager of Technical Services, is elated to retain the same panel of motoring expertise as in previous years.

“The AA’s Motoring Excellence Awards have gained significant industry recognition. Each judge brings their own unique experience and expertise to the panel. When it comes to putting the vehicles to the test we seek only the best people,” she says.

The 90 vehicles entered in this year’s awards will be judged on design, performance, dynamics, practicality and value.

“The judging criteria take a number of factors into account. We conduct a range of assessments on the vehicles including specific tests for load-space, access for car-seats, driver/passenger comfort, accessories, ease of use of control panels, ease of parking. Handling tests are done using the Taupo Race Track where we assess vehicle safety, handling and stability,” says Stella.

Judging for the 2007 AA Motoring Excellence Awards takes place this week in Taupo. The winners of the 12 key category awards and the 2007 Supreme AA Motoring Excellence Award will be announced at a black tie gala dinner held at Auckland’s SKYCITY Convention Centre on Friday 9 March.

Further details on the 2007 AA Motoring Excellence Awards are available online at www.aa.co.nz/mea.

ENDS

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