CONTOUR HD GPS CAMERA

There was a great debate between the GoPro and Contour camera I was in Los Angeles so I actually pick them both up physically in the shop and decide. The Contour HD GPS won the test and soon I was filming test clips and eagerly waiting to get it attached to my MACH SR7 in New Zealand.

I looked at the available mounts and ordered the Roll Cage and Windscreen mounts from a New Zealand company online so they would be waiting for me when I arrived. The team at BASE in Wanaka were excellent and most helpful in all aspects of the Contour camera. Check them out at http://www.basenz.com/

With the camera mounted in was time to take the car out and set the audio levels and upload to my YouTube site MACHSR7.

TOTAL GARAGE

The name alones suggests to car enthusiasts an oasis in a desert, a dream that brings smiles to ones face, or that indelible image of reality, simply a place to stack stuff and park car[s] outside. This elusive dream hampered by boogies boards, broken bicycles, golf clubs, lawn mowers [some which work] un-packed boxes, packed boxes, indoor laundry lines, freezers, fridges and of course the washer and drier.

I was invited by Ashley Webb of Classic Cars to be a part of six men and one lady as a market research response group. I am still puzzled why I was invited when introductions were made that explained their classic car collections, restoration reputations and extensive experience within the motor industry. But the common denominator was we all shared common beliefs, experiences and plans/dreams for that perfect garage.

For me, this was more than talking about “man caves” but seeing how a new product to market can be assisted in establishing an identity and fulfilling a “need” more than a “want”. I see this company establishing a valuable niche in the New Zealand domestic garage market and wish them all the best for the future.

But, rather than listening to me, you and your significant other should wander over to their display office and see why I was impressed.

TOTAL GARAGE
182 Great South Road,
Epsom, Auckland.
Phone 09 5245488
Email info@totalgarage.co.nz
Website www.totalgarage.co.nz

CLASSIC CAR PHOTO SHOOT

A phone call on Wednesday from Mark at McGregor Motorsports asking if I would take my car to the New Zealand Classic Car offices for a photo shoot was an easy answer…YES!

Another phone call to Ashley Webb the assistant editor, a check of the Auckland weather report and noon Thursday was in the calendar. For me this was a great way to spend the rest of the afternoon in the garage, listening to the cricket and cleaning my MACH SR7.

There is something so therapeutic in car detailing; it is a much debated topic and certainly long discussions on which products work best flood forums. I simply enjoy the detail, given my MACH SR7 is now 18 months old, driven 11,000km’s it is very much a daily runner not a garaged show car. I felt pretty pleased with the results but the photographs will be the true judge. With fading light I slid the car outside to take a few images just to check my work…the cap snapping off a Stella was my answer.

So, check out the feature on McGregor Motorsport soon to be published by New Zealand Classic Car Magazine, buy it, subscribe or check it online.
http://www.classiccar.co.nz/

CHANGES

While I am considering a few changes to my MACH SR7 what has been very much on my mind is the tragic changes caused by earthquakes. With Christchurch being stuck twice and then Japan this has changed plans.

In September I collected my car from Christchurch and drove to Auckland, this was days before the earthquake. The plan was to return the MACH SR7 to Christchurch in March for further developments; this was stopped by the February Christchurch earthquake. Two days before leaving my home in Japan the earthquake and tsunami struck. The past five months have been extremely tragic and remaining focused on the future is so important.

McGregor Motorsports like so many other motorsport specialists in Christchurch are going through a difficult time. As an avid supporter of New Zealand motorsport specialists we can all do our part to ensure those disrupted in Christchurch are supported. My part is small, but offering my MACH SR7 as a demo car in Auckland for people who are in that deciding period of kit car or turnkey options is how I can help McGregor’s and their suppliers in Christchurch. If you want a test drive, email or phone and it will be arranged:

SUPPORT CHRISTCHURCH MOTORSPORT: FREE DEMO MACH SR7 DRIVE
Send Bruce Wilson an email at kitcarnz@gmail.com
Phone Grant Wilson 09 836 7181 [home] 021 479 991 [mobile]

AVOID THIS

It is never planned to become a victim of your own design, some may call this simply being stupid and in hindsight this is so true. I was on holiday at my beach house and decided to do a little car work and needed to check my clutch and brake fluid levels. I know this is not real car work, but more forgotten maintenance. On checking’ the fluid seemed a little down’ but while I was on my knees a sudden gust of wind caught my bonnet and sent it across the car park. A Lotus 7 engine hood does fly in small bounce like movements similar to the Kitty Hawke on the Wright brother’s historic flights!

FLYING LAPS

It was always intended to install the new suspension components once they had been tested and approved, this for me, was the single most significant change to the McGregor Mach7. I thought it would be valuable to record changes and the best way is on the track. Stephen from New Zealand’s Lotus 7 & Clubman’s Forum kindly supplied his GoPro HD camera for recording laps.

The raw footage was sent to me, a quick opening sequence then the best of three flying laps was placed on a time-code from starting to finish line gave a best lap time. The results are posted then discussions follow to determine what improvements can be made.

DRIVING TO AUCKLAND

After another great night at Hotel So and their bar What …I know you are thinking SO WHAT, but the place is fabulous! An early morning start at McGregor Motorsport to complete final checks, gasoline and be entertained by our youngest passenger on his booster seat with ear protection. [I would too in the MACH 7V8]


A group of fellow 7 owners decided to farewell us from Christchurch so we all assembled at Stephen’s house to convey out of town.


The plan included lunch at the Mud House Winery – it seems my MACH SR7 is just doomed to spend time on such excursions. No objections’ on my part or from co-driver bother Grant.


After the inevitable inquisitive collection of people asking about the cars, taking photo’s and having a chance to sit inside the cockpit we said our farewells and began the first part of our drive home with a planned overnight stopover in Picton. This part of the journey is stunning, driving north has a kaleidoscope of vista’s equal to any I have seen in my global travels.

UPHOLSTERY

Again, due to me rushing the car away from Christchurch we never had time to fine tune the new wet weather designed kit. I was adamant that I did not want a domed pinned attachment to the windscreen and in typical innovative Christchurch style a reasonable idea became excellent with thoughtful modifications. It is the attention to detail that makes things really work, little did we know that in two days time we would spend 9 hours in extremely wet conditions fully testing the wet weather designs…100% success with no wet bums at all! The work was all completed by Brendon Marshall of Canterbury Upholstery; this even included some custom carry bags that tucked into those crevices each side of the gas tank. Brendon realized my wine habits and made the bags zipped and padded…perfect for a bottle of picnic wine!


Credit must also be given to the seating and cockpit design of the MACH SR7 as the rather long drive from Auckland to Christchurch was extremely comfortable! So many people have asked was I tired, sore back, cramped and all received the same answer – NO! In fact it was better than many everyday cars I have driven over considerably shorter distances!

CHRISTCHURCH AGAIN
It was time to once again fly to Christchurch to collect my MACH SR7; this time I had a co-driver to share not only the drive back to Auckland, but the incredible Christchurch car culture! So with our best feet forward, and a window landscape, we were on our way.