
Day To Fly Family Flag In Toyota 86 Trophy Series
Fifteen year old Matt is the racing son of long-time New Zealand motorsport supporters Deborah – the current MSNZ President - and Martin Day and is well known amongst the rank and file who make the sport happen over countless weekends during the year.
'Most people in the sport will be aware I've been in motorsport since before I could crawl, primarily volunteering for The MotorSport Club as a marshall and more recently venturing into competing, where I have really enjoyed the time in the BMW I have raced,' he explained.
Having cut his teeth in a Mazda MX5 as his first circuit car three years ago, Day performed well in the BMW series last season having won its Scholarship competition. He finished in the top five overall and runner up in the rookie points for 2024-2025.
He's also an accomplished sim racer, having started - like so many of the current young talents in New Zealand - during the Covid pandemic period.
The Western Springs College Year 11 student has his focus firmly fixed on improvement over the forthcoming four round series.
'At this point in my racing career seat time is the priority, so learning and improving during the four rounds will be the goal.
'Even before the prize pool came out offering the chance to race in the GR86 Championship next season, the Trophy Series was appealing because there will be lots of young drivers in it like me who are all looking to establish themselves and improve and that's a great environment to learn in.
'I'm lucky as I have done plenty of test days in the car although not on the tyre we will be racing on. It's an amazing car for a young driver and does everything you ask of it.'
Matt will race the ex-Christina Orr-West Toyota TR86 which will, of course, run in the now iconic yellow of Dayle ITM and under the wing of the Dayle ITM Racing team.
2025 Toyota 86 Trophy Series
Rd1 9-10 May 2025 Hampton Downs - NZIGP Finale
Rd2 21-22 June 2025 Taupo Int. Motorsport Park - Taupo Winter Series
Rd3 5-6 July 2025 Manfeild – Circuit Chris Amon - Manfeild Winter Series
Rd4 26-27 July 2025 Taupo Int. Motorsport Park - Taupo Winter Series
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Milestone speaks to umpire's dedication
A great night for Kristie Simpson is when nobody notices she is in the room. That was a little hard late last month when the Eastern Southland umpire officiated her 150th national league netball game during the Southern Steel and Northern Mystics clash in Dunedin. It was a fitting moment for Simpson who now holds the national record for umpiring the most national league games. Asked how she felt about the milestone, Simpson joked "like I've been around for a wee while". But she acknowledged it was a special achievement and her longevity spoke to her determination as an umpire at the top of her game for the past 15 years. Simpson, who lives on a farm in Tokanui, grew up umpiring and officiated her first national game in 2010 during the transtasman ANZ Championship era. There had been many highlights through the years, including the league's first "sudden-death" game, which presented new challenges for players and umpires, and shuffling her life through Covid lockdowns, when most of the games were played in Auckland while she was based in Southland and had a family to think about as well. She also umpired the Steel's victory against the Mainland Tactix in Christchurch in 2017, days after Steel players were injured in the van crash. "We spend a lot of time with the players, we see them week-in, week-out," Simpson said. "Whilst we're trying to achieve different things, we've got a great respect for what they do, so that was definitely a game that stands out for a lot of emotions." Simpson, who has also officiated at Netball World Cups and the Commonwealth Games, has grown as an umpire through the years and never stopped developing. "I guess when you've been doing it for this long you get a picture memory bank of things that happen and how they go about happening. "You have a good idea of the players and what they're trying to achieve . . . and how the defence is trying to stop them. "You get a better feeling for that contest, contact and consistency across the court." But there were always things that kept her on her toes, including the addition of the two-point shot to the competition this season. The new rule turned the goal circle backwards — while shooters have traditionally tried to be under the post, they are now aiming to be in the two-point zone. "From our perspective, we've got to look in different places. We've got to have different angles to the court and therefore the defence is trying to do that opposite thing to what they're normally doing. "It has made it interesting, it's made it a new challenge, a new thing to think about and I think that's always good and exciting." Her enjoyment for the game had never wavered and the often thankless task of umpiring had been her way of being involved in the sport. "It's great to be a part of the game and this is the part that I can do well. That's the thing I like the most is being involved in the game. "But the best games are always when they don't notice us. "At the end of the day if you've got a game and you come off and someone's like 'oh did you umpire that game?', it's a big win." Simpson, who is also a coach for the national watch list umpire squad, is part of a unique crew from the Eastern Southland centre, home to five international umpires in Colleen Bond, Alison Cormack, Bobbi Brown, Jono Bredin and Simpson. "The joy of Eastern is we still have those umpires and those people in there helping," Simpson said. "They're such a great support, they've got so much knowledge and that gives you a lot of confidence, especially when it's the young umpires coming through when you're starting. "I feel very lucky and very privileged to have been able to come from there."


NZ Autocar
5 days ago
- NZ Autocar
2025 BMW M3 Competition Touring vs Skoda Octavia RS+ TSi Comparison
The performance wagon is an enthusiast's favourite, especially for those with more than just themselves to think about. It is practical, family friendly even, yet when the driver finds themselves alone, it delivers substantial fun. Unfortunately there aren't many options and most are reserved for the upper reaches of the premium Euro market. An example is the BMW M3 Touring. It's the first time the M3 has been served up with a bigger boot and this M3 is BMW's RS 4 foil. A pity that the Audi is between drinks; we drove the last of the current generation last year, so a direct comparison seemed pointless. Instead we ask: do you really need to spend six figures to get your fast wagon fix? Can something costing significantly less satisfy the urge? Such a machine does exist, and it's just been revised too. We are talking about the Skoda Octavia RS. We've had coupe, sedan and convertible M3s in times past, and finally now the Touring. You might be used to the angry beaver look of the latest M3 up front, but it's still ungainly. However, the look improves aft of the grille. The Touring is pumped out, its sculpted wheel arches encasing a wider track. The extended side skirts fill in the gaps, bridging the exaggerated front and rear aprons. You'll also notice the XL exhaust tips and the wee Gurney flap on the roof spoiler. Its multi-spoke alloys look menacing though are a nightmare to clean (a good punishment for naughty children). Under the hood lies a serious rendition of the 3.0-litre straight six. This has a pair of monoscroll turbochargers and creates 390kW, helped by 650Nm of torque. Teamed with all-wheel drive and a quick-shifting eight-speed auto, the Touring can supposedly hit 100 in 3.6 seconds. Typical of the M breed, there is a raft of set-up options; the transmission, suspension, steering, brakes and stability control can all be tailored, most through three levels of intent. And you can save your preferred combo to one of the two M buttons on the steering wheel, for quick access. The M3 gets a good stiffening with extra bracing and struts, and tauter suspension settings teamed with adaptive dampers. The all-wheel drive is variable in nature and blessed with a rearward bias. There's also an M differential out back to further enhance that rear-drive feeling. You can select 4WD Sport, which serves up even more drive to the rear, or switch off the DSC completely and then you're in 2WD. Then you can tune the M Traction Control to your liking, through 10 stages of intervention. Along with an onboard lap timer, there's the Drift Analyser to record the duration, angle and distance of your skids. All this fun does not come cheap, however, with a base price of $199,600. The Skoda doesn't have quite the firepower or such a long hardware list but it doesn't ask nearly as much either. The new model starts at $67,990, while the Plus variant is an extra $5k for upgraded seats trimmed in leather and better sounds. The engine department has had an update, the 2.0 TSI making 195kW here, with 370Nm chiming in as well. The RS runs with a seven-speed twin-clutch transmisison, sending the torque to the front wheels alone. Helping ground that output is the electro-hydraulic diff lock. This tempers torque steer and minimises spinning wheels when powering out of bends. With both a power and traction deficit, it can't hope to hold a candle to the hard charging M3, with a stated 0-100km/h time of 6.5sec, if you can get it to stick properly. Helping balance comfort and dynamics are adaptive dampers. Ride in the RS is set 15mm lower than in the cooking version. The revised Otavia also gets a style update with new front and rear bumpers (new diffuser and tailpipes at the back too) and blackened bits. It sits on 19-inch, aero-optimised alloys. Sure, it doesn't sound quite as exciting, but you could have two of these and still go on a lavish holiday for the price of the BMW. The RS can decode demon roads well. Switched into Sport mode, it dives into the action, and holds a line sternly through the bends. It does feel a tad digital however as the torque vectoring function is working to keep things tidy. With 'ESC Sport' engaged, this lessens the intervention of the stability commendants, the front-end unshackled and it's your right foot that manages the show. The RS can take corners at a decent clip, the wheels scrambling to lay the power down as you give it just the right amount of jandal, wary to keep the front from pushing too wide. Through the tighter, twistier sections, it is genuinely engaging, grin inducing. The brakes are decent too with good bite but also a delicate pedal so you don't upset the balance with errant weight transfers. Its steering is quick, while also advising on how hard those tyres are working. The twin-clutch is up and down the cogs quickly and smartly, the paddles there for show really. Its 2.0-litre pulls nicely from 3000rpm at speed, but it's no screamer, being well done by 6500rpm. There's a bit of a rorty note to its delivery but the tyre roar can challenge it at 100km/h on coarse chip. BMW's M3 Touring can charge through the bends in an even more furious manner, but is it a case of being too much of a good thing? It's seriously rapid, much of its talent going untapped without getting unhinged on road. But, when you do get the chance, this is a blazingly quick and talented machine. It has an outright grip advantage with wider tyres at each corner. Sure, it is heavier but with a balanced weight split, it turns in sharply. The helm isn't brimming with feedback but you know it will just stick. With its variable AWD and the M diff working together, you can feed the power in mid-bend and it claws its way around without a hint of pushing wide. And then you can be on the gas hard before the exit. With its rear bias, this helps it tighten the line, making it feel very neutral. And easy. The ride in Sport plus is intolerable, Sport better but still bumpy. The in-between setting for the trans is not quite sporty enough in terms of well timed downshifts while full attack mode is way too racy. So it can be better to paddle it along on the road. There's nothing much wrong with the response of the turbocharged engine. It really comes alive from 3000rpm and it revs quickly to just past 7000rpm, sounding distinctive and powerful through the range. The brakes are almighty, with a strong initial bite yet a tactile feel. The M3 Touring is an impressive performer, though a bit OTT for your drive to the beach house. Road noise can be intrusive and suspension vibrations are amplified here compared with in the Skoda. The Czech is also that bit easier on fuel reserves. It'll average around the 10L/100km mark for a mix of city and motorway miles, whereas the BMW is in the 15s. When drinking heavily, the Octavia got into the 13s, the M3 saw close to 20. The character of the M3 Competition will sit well with those that owned a modified JDM rocket in their youth. The suspension set-up sees the tyres chattering during u-turns, the diff gets a bit grumpy when cold and the brakes squeak. It sits low, the splitters and lower skirts look quite vulnerable, while the big alloys had already met the curb a few times before we had our time with it. The Skoda is preferable as a commuter. Its ride is sumptuous compared with the harsher BMW. And the M3 generates a fair amount of tyre roar even at 50km/h. Neither suffers from any real turbolag at town speeds, the BMW with a heap of low down torque, the Skoda brisk too. Each has quick and light steering, the turning circles about equal. The Skoda doesn't have quite the firepower or such a long hardware list but it doesn't ask nearly as much either. You Could have two of these and still go on a lavish holiday for the price of the BMW. The safety minders know their place, issuing precious few alerts, though the Skoda's lane keeping is more insistent. BMW's active cruise with its Assisted Drive feature is smarter too, virtually taking care of motorway cruising. There are more widgets in the infotainment realm, a better parking camera with a surround view, and more items on the spec sheet, as you would expect for the much greater ask. The Skoda has everything you really want though, the bigger 13-inch screen a bit easier to navigate than the old system. However, a few more buttons on the dash would be nice, while the voice help isn't as proficient as the BMW's. It's a snug fit behind the wheel of the M3, the driving position set deep. The seats are firm, overly so, though have excellent adjustment and are ventilated too. The M3's cockpit wears the sports luxury leather and carbon combo well. Skoda RS has a roomier driving position, the seats with more comfort about them yet they are no less effective in overall support. The Skoda is your more practical performance wagon. It has a larger boot, with a wider, longer load area. The width of the BMW's hold is limited by intrusive suspension towers. However the M3 is not impractical, still with 500L of space, and with a variable split folding seat back too. The opening glass hatch is a nice touch, a 'heritage' trait. The Skoda is more accommodating of people in the rear seats. It's tight in the back of the M3 Touring, the big sports seats up front robbing those behind of leg room, while three across is a genuine squeeze. Most definitely. It's a quick, fun-to-drive car that is also more practical and easier to live with. You get to enjoy all of its potential, the limits easier to access whereas with the M3 Touring, you'll have to try a lot harder. Yet there will still be those with the means that will just want the M3 Touring Competition. It is a weapons-grade wagon but requires you to put up with its much harder edge. BMW M3 Competition Touring$199,600 / 10.4L/100km / 235g/km 0-100 km/h 3.6s Ambient cabin noise 78.0dB@100km/h Engine 2993cc / IL6 / T / DI Max power 390kW@6250rpm Max torque 650Nm@2750-5730rpm Drivetrain 8-speed auto / AWD Front suspension Mac strut / swaybar Rear suspension Multilink / swaybar Turning circle 12.6m (2.1 turns) Front brakes Ventilated discs Rear brakes Ventilated discs Stability systems ABS, ESP, TV Safety AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB Tyre size f-275/35R19 r-285/30R20 Wheelbase 2857mm L/W/H 4801 / 1903 / 1446mm Track f-1617mm r-1605mm Fuel capacity 59L Luggage capacity 500-1510L Tow rating Not rated to tow Service intervals Variable Scheduled servicing 3yrs / unlimited km Warranty 5yrs / 100,000km ANCAP rating Not rated Weight (claimed) 1865kg Skoda Octavia RS+ TSI$73,990 / 7.2L/100km / 166g/km 0-100 km/h 6.5s Ambient cabin noise 72.9dB@100km/h Engine 1984cc / IL4 / T / DI Max power 195kW@5250-6500rpm Max torque 370Nm1600-4500rpm Drivetrain 7-speed twin-clutch / FWD Front suspension Mac strut / swaybar Rear suspension Multilink / swaybar Turning circle 11.1m (2.2 turns) Front brakes Ventilated discs Rear brakes Discs Stability systems ABS, ESP, TV Safety AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB Tyre size f/r-225/40R19 Wheelbase 2681mm L/W/H 4709 / 1829 / 1468mm Track f-1543mm r-1534mm Fuel capacity 51L Luggage capacity 610-1700L Tow rating 750kg (1600kg braked) Service intervals 12 months / 15,000km Service plan $1745, 3yrs / 45,000km Warranty 5yrs / 150,000km ANCAP rating ★★★★★ (2022) Weight (claimed) 1563kg


Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Showcase of Filipino food, sport and culture
Kira Azucena. Photo: Philippines Embassy Sports and glamour will feature in a series of events this weekend. Dunedin Filipino Sports will host the South Island Filipino Sports Tournament at venues across the city this weekend. About 500 athletes from Nelson to Invercargill will compete in basketball, volleyball, badminton and billiards. The event, which carries a theme of diversity, passion and unity, is being co-ordinated by Dunedin Filipino Sports president Arvin Lazaro and his wife, Charm Lazaro. Mrs Lazaro said the tournament usually rotates between host cities each year, but a Covid-19 hiatus has kept it out of Dunedin since 2016. After the sporting events wrap up on Sunday, a separate showcase will celebrate the beauty of young women. The Search for Binibining South Island will highlight Filipina beauty. ''Binibining'' means young woman or ''Miss'', and the contest will let participants display a range of outfits and compete in talent and cultural sections. Judges include the Filipino Ambassador to New Zealand, Kira Azucena. Members of Dunedin's Filipino community will perform and Sport Otago's William Hola will give an inspirational talk. The new contest aims to celebrate beauty and weave cultural elements into the programme. ''It is not always about masculinity,'' Mrs Lazaro said. Filipino food stalls will operate at the main venue and members of the public are welcome at all events. @ Events Volleyball and Basketball Edgar Centre 116 Portsmouth Dr Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm Under 23 Basketball Saturday 9am-5pm Caledonian Gymnasium 265 Andersons Bay Rd Billiards Bowey's Pool Lounge 81 Crawford St Saturday 6pm-9pm Badminton Otago Badminton Centre 101 Victoria Rd, St Kilda Saturday 9am-5pm Search for Binibining South Island More FM Arena 116 Portsmouth Dr Sunday 5pm-10pm