Mayor swaps official car for a convertible

Manukau Mayor Len Brown is swapping his mayoral car for a retro convertible Corvette this Friday.

The mayor is launching Full Throttle – Manukau’s new Labour Weekend event for car fanatics, motorsports fans and families. Full Throttle will feature the Targa rally, the National Off-Road champs and hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, modern and unique vehicles on show in Manukau city centre.

Starting at 5pm the mayor will be in the Corvette as part of a motorcade of vehicles driving around Manukau city centre. Full Throttle will then be launched in Manukau Square and off-road vehicles will be on show during scrutineering before their racing begins on Saturday.

The 2004 Corvette the mayor will be riding in has been remodelled to look like an original 1953 Corvette. Also in the Full Throttle motorcade will be Weta Workshop’s Warthog, two Targa rally cars, two off-roaders, hot rods, Harley Davidson motorbikes, a Ford Fairlane convertible and a Cadillac convertible.

Mr Brown says he is looking forward to being in one of the first cars to rev its engine for Full Throttle.

“I’ve never been a boy racer but I do get a buzz out of seeing fast cars in action. I started going to motor racing at Pukekohe from an early age. It will be great to actually ride in such a legendary car.

“This is a chance for Manukau’s young people to come along and see some of New Zealand’s best drivers racing in a controlled environment.

“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’re encouraging people to watch someone else do the driving this Labour Weekend.

“Targa rally cars will be testing their skills on a street circuit in the city centre on Monday and the National Off-road champs are the biggest off-road event the Auckland region has seen. So we’re in for a thrilling Labour Weekend,” Mr Brown says.

Full Throttle schedule

Friday 24 October
5pm - Official launch featuring a motorcade 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. Hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, modern and unique vehicles, fuel-powered remote control car racing, BMX racing and entertainment. Manukau City Council carpark and 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, Full Throttle Car-nival. Hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, modern and unique vehicles, fuel-powered remote control car racing, BMX racing and entertainment. Manukau City Council carpark and Hayman Park, Manukau city centre.

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 street circuit, 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