The annual Renegade Rod & Custom SPCA Charity day is one of the coolest events on the calendar. Mixing cool cars, plenty of animals and a charity auction makes for a great family day out.

The event is coming up again on Sunday September 30, and as always is at the SPCA Village in Mangere, Auckland, so make sure to mark your diary and head along.

Huge thanks must go to Trueform Spa Pools who are once again donating the major auction item of a top of the line spa!

Stragglers Rod and Custom is pleased to anounce that its very successful Cambridge Charity Car Show will once again take place at the Lake Te Koutu Domain, Cambridge, on Sunday November 27. The event kicks off at 10am, and if previous years are anything to go by, you’ll want to be there early to see the awesome variety of machinery that shows up.
The format which has worked so well for the Club in the past will largely be followed again at this year’s event – that is bands, food, fun for all the family, no trade areas, and heaps of fabulous cars, boats and motorcycles.

Last month we brought you news of a special one-off Mustang built for the world’s biggest aviation event, the EAA AirVenture show in Wisconsin, USA (read news). Each year since 2006, Ford has revealed a new tribute car for the event and this year’s vehicle pays homage to the Blue Angels naval aviation demonstration team.

After it is revealed, the car is then auctioned for charity with this year’s beneficiary being the EAA Young Eagles program which gives free introductory flights to young people.

The car sold at auction for a massive $400,000 USD to an anonymous buyer from California. He wanted to stay anonymous, but that may prove difficult when he is cruising around in the one-off Mustang pictured above. (more…)

The Men’s Health Trust New Zealand is an organisation that does loads of work to make sure Kiwi men keep healthy and stay educated on health issues. We can use all the help we can get, because let’s face it – we are pretty useless.

For an upcoming event the Men’s Health Trust is inviting all motorsport fans to the launch of its The Big You Night at the SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland on Saturday 30th July 2011. This black tie event is in honour of Motorsport legend Kenny Smith and will help raise funds for Men’s Health Trust New Zealand.

Older race fans will be familiar with Kenny Smith but the younger crew may not know of this legend of International motorsport. Smith first debuted in the 1963 New Zealand Grand Prix with the likes of Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon and Denny Hulme. Now at the age of 69 and in his 53rd season of racing, Kenny is still competing against today’s much younger drivers.

The only event that nearly thwarted Smith’s career behind the wheel was a triple heart bypass operation in 1987. While many thought his career was over, his return three months later saw him carry on where he left off. Ken now vigilantly visits the doctor every 6 months, and is an example of the determination, persistance and courage required for a long lasting and successful racing career. Inducted in to the Motorsport New Zealand hall of fame in 1995, he was also honoured in the Queen’s birthday honours list by being awarded the MBE in 1988. Smith’s passion for single seater racing has seen him mentor many of New Zealand’s top young drivers including Scott Dixon and Brendon Hartley.

The Men’s Health Trust Visit is now selling tickets to The Big You Night fundraiser, go to www.you.org.nz/younight for more information and to book.

This Sunday (May 8), Pukekohe Park Raceway will host the Wheels of Fortune event which is about cars and also about raising some money for charities.

Over 1,000 vehicles have registered for a massive car display or all types of machines. Classic, modern, original, modified and race machines are all coming out to show off their sheetmetal for charity. There will also be commercial exhibitors and the Roaring Forties warbirds acrobatic team will be flying overhead to entertain the crowds. VIP guests will include Jan McLaren, Peggy Bourne, Greeta Hulme and Paul Fahey, Auckland Mayor Len Brown and TV commentator Mark Sainsbury will also be in attendance.

There will be food stalls to keep the kids quiet and family focused entertainment. Proceeds from the event will go to the Fire Brigade, Police, St Johns Ambulance, Coast Guard and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. (more…)

New Zealand charity Motor Vision Trust is running a special raffle for a prize that everyone wants – a stunning 1967 Mustang (pictured above).

Tickets are just $20 for a chance to win and all proceeds for the ticket sales are divided between helping the senior citizen community and supporting Scouts NZ.

The premium prize is a ’67 Mustang with a fuel injected, stroked 302 engine with a Vortech supercharger. It’s a looker too, finished in green with a black hood.

Second prize is $3000 worth of car audio gear and the third prize winner will receive $2000 worth of petrol vouchers.

Motor Vision Trust plan to construct other “Hot Rod” style cars and motorbikes to raise money for charity and it’s a cracking idea.

The raffle closes on 18th of April, 2011 and the best way to buy tickets is to click on the link below, print out the .pdf file, fill in your details and post it in. Simple.

Click here to download the Motor Vision Trust Mustang Raffle entry form.

Local NZ charity Motor Vision Trust has got in touch with NZV8 to tell us about its raffle for this stunning 1967 Mustang pictured above.

Tickets are just $20 for a chance to win and all proceeds for the ticket sales are divided between helping the senior citizen community and supporting Scouts NZ.

The prize is a ’67 Mustang with a fuel injected, stroked 302 engine with a Vortech supercharger. It’s a looker too, finished in green with a black hood.

Motor Vision Trust plan to construct other “Hot Rod” style cars and motorbikes to raise money for charity and it’s a cracking idea.

The raffle closes on 18th of April, 2011 and you can buy tickets through email and internet bank transfer. All you have to do is flick an email to motorvision@gmail.com and ask for the bank details, make a funds transfer and you’ll be in the draw.

Roush has just announced that the one-off SR-71 Mustang (read news) has been auctioned off at the recent AirVenture show in the States. It sold for $375,000 ($510,000 NZ) with proceeds going to an American charity.

Jointly created by Jack Roush and Carroll Shelby, the SR-71 features matte grey paint, a glass roof, and special custom wheels (19-inch front / 20-inch rear). In the cabin there’s Recaro race seats, a sport steering wheel, a Ford Racing instrument cluster, a modified navigation system, special floor mats, plenty of SR-71 badging, and a roll cage.

Under the bonnet, power is provided by a 5.0-litre Ti-VCT V8 engine which is equipped with a 2.3-litre Whipple Twin Screw Supercharger, a Roush air intake, and a Ford Racing exhaust.

The annual Renegade Rod & Custom Club SPCA day was held on Sunday, and again with huge success. The event is a relaxed park up with a range of vehicles and charity auction held at the SPCA’s Mangere facility. As with last year’s event, many car lovers found themselves leaving with a new pet, or perhaps items purchased in the charity auction, which included subscriptions to NZV8 Magazine.

Although not hugely publicised, the turnout was impressive despite being somewhat down on last year’s attendance.  If you love cool cars, are looking for a pet, or just want to have a fun day in a relaxed family environment, then it would be well worth checking out next year.

Check out some images of the day’s activities in the gallery below.

The annual Renegade Rod and Custom Club SPCA Charity day is back again on Sunday September 27. The event is a great way to involve the whole family, as well as support the SPCA through various auctions that take place. Last years event saw many car owners taking home a new pet or two, and organisers have requested no dogs be taken to the event this year.

The laid back atmosphere of this event has seen it grow over the last few years into a day not to be missed. It will be held at the Auckland SPCA Animal Village, 50 Westney Road, Mangere. For further info contact Tony on 09 424 5113