Shocking news: electric vehicle event coming to Christchurch

27 October, 2015

 

A  new electric vehicle event is set to quietly take over the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Ruapuna in late November. EVolocity is being marketed as a fast-paced, innovative, and exciting motorsport event with an environmental twist — demonstrating electric vehicle performance and efficiency.

The event is the brainchild of the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV), which aims to promote the use of electric vehicles and also encourage innovation in the future of transport.

“EVolocity is the first-ever day of electric motorsport in New Zealand, and we think that is pretty special. The sector is growing worldwide with technology and innovation taking electric vehicles to thrilling new places — I am sure those who visit EVolocity will see electric vehicles in a whole new light and some may even come away with a new passion,” says Rob McEwen, executive director of APEV.

Event highlights are set to include a race between the world’s fastest electric drag motor bike and the fastest fuel-powered drag motor bike in the South Island; a race featuring 16 Canterbury high school teams, who have developed their own custom design and built electric vehicles; a showcase of three world record–holding electric vehicles from the US, plus New Zealand’s first Tesla S; and a race between a Ferrari and a Tesla Roadster.

Besides the events themselves, there will be plenty to check out, including the chance to meet Eva Håkansson who holds the title of fastest electric motorcycle in the world (434kph), fastest sidecar motorcycle in the world, and fastest woman on a motorcycle in the world. Kevin Clemens who set 11 world, US National, and US East Coast land-speed records with electric motorcycles built in his Minnesota workshop will also be present.

If you’re keen on heading along, tickets are available through evolocity.co.nz.

Lunch with … Rodger Anderson

At first, I wondered if I’d driven up the wrong driveway. The car in the garage was an early Mustang resplendent in royal blue with two broad gold stripes, which was not what I was expecting. I knew that Rodger Anderson, who made his name in Minis and a BMW 2002, was a Porsche man these days — the other end of the spectrum from American muscle. I had no idea of his affection for Detroit iron. It didn’t take long to discover just how passionate this former Saloon Car Champion is about cars, as long as they’re interesting.

Back from the brink – 1968 MGB GT

Auckland classic car enthusiast Kerry Bowman soon realised he had a massive job on his hands in restoring his classic 1968 MGB GT. When Kerry and his MGB first appeared in New Zealand Classic Car in March 2021, in “Behind The Garage Door”, the stripped-out shell had revealed some nasty surprises. Once the true extent of the hidden damage was discovered, the work would normally have been handed over to a professional fabricator. However, with the assistance of experts such as MG specialist restorer, Paul Walbran, Kerry has completed an impressive restoration and saved this car from the scrapheap.