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Leadfoot returns in 2015

29 October, 2014

Leadfoot Festival is one of the country’s most anticipated motorsport events, and it only happens every second year. Hosted at Rod Millen’s iconic ranch in Hahei, the event is like no other. Rod’s driveway was designed with one purpose in mind only — driving as fast as is humanly possible.

It is this driveway that plays the part of racetrack for the event, winding its way through a section of the 60.7-hectare estate. If you’re not in the driver’s seat, it doesn’t particularly matter where you choose to view the racing from, as every spot has its own unique view.

As far as the driving talent is concerned, Rod personally selects each driver for the three-day competition, ensuring only the best get to compete and entertain. Leadfoot 2015 will see the launch of new areas and exciting activities. The newly built open-air amphitheatre will host a live concert on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Leadfoot Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience for all, featuring unparalleled access to the competitors, pits, and race cars. This is one event that we at NZPC look forward to every year, and with some of the most exciting cars and racing action on display, you don’t want to miss out.

Where else in New Zealand can you see this much motorsport history and prestige in one place, over one weekend? Tickets are now on sale, and you can find more info on leadfootfestival.com.

Motorman: Blame it on Rio!

22 May, 2025

Following the third polite advisory, I figured there had to be a fair degree of substance to the warning. “If this is your first visit to Rio de Janeiro, please be careful,” came the personal hushed dialogue from the pleasant hostesses on a far from crowded Varig flight from Los Angeles to the famous Brazilian seaside city.
The previous evening I had flown into LA from Auckland en route to the 1985 international launch of the Fiat Uno Turbo. I was prepared for another long haul of just under 12 hours across Mexico, central America, Colombia, and central Brazil to that nation’s third largest city. Surprisingly the 10,500km run from Los Angeles to Rio is actually longer than the 8800km LA-London air route.
With the journey including a brief stopover in Honolulu I expected to travel just under 44,000km for the return journey to sample what was to be a low-volume version of a popular Italian car that would sell in even lower numbers in New Zealand. I like to think this shows nothing more than my deep commitment to my craft. In fact, even though I became lost on the homeward journey my total air miles would be little different.

Pinnacle Porsche

15 May, 2025

We were stopped at the side of the road, setting up the next photograph, when a faded Toyota slowed alongside and stopped. The window was already down to give the driver a good look.
“That’s my dream car,” he said, speaking for more than a few of us.
He drank in the gleaming red paint, shining in the sun, and the car’s purposeful swoops and curves. He exhaled half a lungful of cigarette smoke, gave a hang 10–style thumbs up and drove off.
On the side of the road, against a clear blue background, the Porsche stood out in all its stark red glory. It’s the classic 911 shape on steroids. It has the fat, even pouty, front lip of the G series 911s, added to comply with 5mph bumper restrictions in the US. It also has the oversized haunches to accommodate the wider rear wheels and tyres – a first for Porsche, which also confirmed its supercar credentials – and, most noticeably of all, that enormous whale-tail spoiler. They made it look as if Porsche had abandoned its restraint.