The people of Christchurch need all the help they can get and now Auckland’s car community can unite and really pitch in. The car scene is well known for its generous spirit and there’s no better time than right now to show it.

Meguiar’s is hosting a Car Crazy for Christchurch Show & Shine evening event on March 10th to help those people affected by the Christchurch earthquake. So shine up your ride and get it registered so you can be part of the show, if you don’t have a car to show, come down anyway and see the awesome metal on display, entry is free but you can make a donation if you want. All proceeds go to the NZ Red Cross Appeal.

Here’s what’s happening at the Car Crazy event:

·         Over 100 cars on display
·         Gold Coin sausage sizzle
·         Raffle for products & prizes valued over $1,000
·         Spot prizes
·         Lolly scrambles for the kids
·         Prizes include a range of car care products, kid’s toys and clothing

When: Thursday 10th March 2011, 5.30pm – 8pm
Where: Smits Group Head Office, 59-65 Greenmount Dr, East Tamaki
Cost: Registration for cars $20 / Free entry to public

Register your car by contacting Rachelle Armstrong on (09) 274 6871 or email RachelleA@smitsgroup.co.nz.

Smits Group has recently announced their decision to sponsor Jon Bates’ Mazda B8’s team and his new Rislone Rotary Turbo Charged Dragster.

“This is a very exciting project, which will have both the V8 traditionalist and Import scene watching closely to see the outcome. We’re very pleased to be lending our support,” says Darlene Smits, Director of Smits Group.

Jon has been involved in drag racing in New Zealand and Australia for a number of years, teaming up with his brother Tony Marsh to build New Zealand’s fastest naturally aspirated dragster, which still holds two New Zealand records.

He has now purchased the 2007 Spitzer Dragster from Marsh, which has run 6.7 seconds at 320kph with 1,070hp, set to be the fastest naturally aspirated Ford Dragster in the world. The Dragster has been undergoing some major improvements and is now running a Curran Brothers racing 20 b Rotary Turbo Charged engine with in excess of 1200hp. It has been fitted with a carbon fibre body, Precision Turbo Chargers, Injector Dynamics Injectors, Microtec ECU, and A1 Power Glide Transmission. (more…)

Have you ever wanted to buy some of the top automotive products they have over in the States just to find out they aren’t stocked here in NZ? We all want the best for our rides and it’s annoying when it’s not available but now Smits Group is out to change things and has just announced a new distribution relationship with leading US chemicals manufacturing giant Old World Industries Inc.

For over 50 years, Old World Industries has been a leader in the development and distribution of high quality automotive products. Old World’s expertise in high technology and marketing, ensure that people around the world know Old World products provide the highest level of protection with brands including the Peak range of antifreeze and coolants, Peak lubricants, Peak windscreen wipers, Peak electronic products, and Peak car care.

The Peak range of antifreeze and coolants is the number one selling antifreeze in the US market and offers maximum protection for cars and trucks ranging from the smallest through to the largest of fleets. The range includes Peak All Metal Antifreeze, Peak Full Strength Long Life and Peak Global Lifetime.

In 2007 the powerhouse brand Peak expanded beyond antifreeze into a line of premium quality motor oils. Peak lubricants continue today as the “Official Motor Oil” of the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500 with IndyCar sensation Danica Patrick as brand spokesperson. Danica Patrick is the first woman to win a major open wheel race and is the official product ambassador for the entire Peak Performance family of products.

(more…)

NZV8 TV is bought to you by the Smits Group, bringing you trusted brands for over 30 years.

In association with NAC Insurance, specialist modified and performance vehicle insurers.

And presented by LG the brand that brings you, smart and stylish home electronics. LG. Life’s Good.”

The popular international television programme Car Crazy, hosted by Barry Meguiar, is the inspiration for a new draw-card at this year’s Speedshow set to run at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds on 24 and 25 July.

Meguiar’s Car Crazy Central, at the 2010 running of the Speedshow automotive extravaganza, is the place where people who love cars can meet and celebrate the car hobby scene in New Zealand.

“Barry Meguiar and the crew from Car Crazy were in New Zealand earlier this year to shoot two episodes of Car Crazy TV,” says Speedshow’s developer and organiser Keith Sharp, from Auckland.

“Several New Zealand show cars and their passionate owners feature in the episodes filmed here and the finished shows will be broadcast to over 27 million households around the world.

“Drawing inspiration from Barry and the show, and how they continue to embrace 100 years of the Meguiar’s family passion for great-looking cars, the Meguiar’s Car Crazy Central area at Speedshow features various genres of cars which reflect breadth and diversity within the New Zealand car scene.”

Darlene Smits, a director of Smits Group, which distributes the top-selling Meguiar’s range of car care products in New Zealand, says she’s looking forward to seeing an amazing array of some of New Zealand’s best show cars at Speedshow.

“From V8s and muscle cars, to classics and hot rods, as well as imports and performance cars, there will be a series of impressive cars on display each representing the different zones,” says Smits.

Smits is also featuring another of the Smits Group brands, House of Kolor with their ‘kustom paints ’and the popular digital paint booth where Speedshow visitors can check out what their car would look like with different paint jobs, colours and styles on screen.

“Airbrushing expert Dean Lovich of Lovich Design, who won the people’s choice award in the 2010 New Zealand Airbrush Art Competition, demonstrates his skill during both days of Speedshow. We invite Speedshow visitors to have a go at airbrushing, so that adds a fun, interactive element to the Car Crazy Central area.”

Smits says the Smits Group Meguiar’s demonstration team are at Speedshow to answer any queries about car care and paint. “We’ll be demonstrating numerous popular products throughout the event.”

“We’re also delighted to initiate a new aspect to Speedshow this year — the Meguiar’s Car Crazy Charity Cruise!” says Smits.

The Meguiar’s Car Crazy Charity Cruise leaves from the Smits Group / Meguiar’s headquarters in East Tamaki at 10am on both Saturday and Sunday, and arrives at Speedshow at the ASB Showgrounds just before 11am.

“After reaching Speedshow and completing a couple of laps of honour around the outdoor arena, the cruise cars are parked up for all to admire and wish they owned!

“Keith and the Speedshow team have come to the party with a family pass rate of $45 for everyone who’s in your car, so squash them in! We’ll give you a Meguiar’s goody bag and half the proceeds will benefit Starship Children’s Health.” says Smits.

The Meguiar’s Car Crazy Charity Cruise is limited to 150 cars for each of the two days of Speedshow and is only open to customs, classics, hot rods and street machines.

“To join the charity cruise, your car must also be ‘show and shine’ ready. To register for the Meguiar’s Car Crazy Charity Cruise, simply contact milissaa@smitsgroup.co.nz or call toll-free on 0800 227 422.

News and details are updated on the Speedshow website, www.speedshow.co.nz, on a regular basis, or find Speedshow on Facebook and Twitter.

If you’re planning on heading to one of the best car events of the year – the annual Beach Hop in Whangamata then you could make yourself some coin while you’re there.

Meguairs are looking for guys and girls to walk the main street of Whangamata on Saturday the 27th of March handing out flyers.

You’ll have to be energetic and well presented with plenty of personality. You will be provided with a black T-shirt and hat for your uniform, but you must wear your own black pants and shoes.

If you’re interested in participating flick an email to promotions@smitsgroup.co.nz today.

Applications close on the 19th of March, 2010.

Barry Meguiar and his Car Crazy film crew are coming to New Zealand to shoot a very special episode of Car Crazy TV – Americarna Taranaki from 23rd — 27th February 2010.

Americarna is one of the premier events on the calendar for American Car lovers in NZ and Barry and his Car Crazy crew will be spending the five days capturing the cars, people and scenery that bring more people back to Americarna year after year.

Meguiar will be showcasing New Zealand’s car scene to countries such as the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, India, Central and South America — to name a few.

What is so great about the New Zealand car scene? Well we have more car clubs per capita than anywhere in the world which just goes to show how car crazy we are! The show will be viewed by well over 27 million households, so this is a great opportunity for New Zealand to show the world how much we love and know our cars and to promote our beautiful country globally.

This event is made possible with the assistance of Venture Taranaki, Smits Group and Americarna NZ Ltd. Car Crazy TV, the leading worldwide automotive enthusiast television program, showcases celebrity guests, rare automotive collections from around the world and enthusiast car shows & events that have never before been shown on television.

Host and Meguiar’s President / CEO Barry Meguiar, continues his quest to showcase the people behind the car hobby by entrenching himself in true “car guy” experiences in every episode. New Zealand was the very first country to screen the show outside of the US (Car Crazy TV airs on Sky TV).

Barry Meguiar is the third generation President of Meguiar’s whose whole life has been spent loving and caring for cars. But what makes Barry so unique, is his burning passion to expand the hobby. He wasn’t content with just running the multi-national business – he wanted to take the car hobby to the world. For decades he’s travelled all over the planet sharing his passion for cars and supporting car clubs, automotive events and museums. His passion for cars has created a central hub for car enthusiasts worldwide through Car Crazy Radio, carcrazycentral.com and Car Crazy TV.

As the show enters its 13th season, viewers will be treated to behind-the-scenes footage from some of the most exclusive and traditionally private events, such as following the judging procedure for the prestigious Ridler Award at the Autorama Show, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Bonneville Speed Week. All-new episodes will also feature an inside look at vehicles belonging to celebrity auto enthusiasts and industry personalities.

During the new season, Barry also travels internationally to witness some of the most amazing car collections from countries like Costa Rica, Europe, Asia and Canada and now New Zealand!

For more information or to make an enquiry about Barry Meguiar or Car Crazy TV visit www.meguiars.co.nz

For more information about Americarna Taranaki 2010 visit www.americarna.com

Smits Group have just announced the full launch of their Nulon range of motor oils, gearbox and automatic transmission lubricants in New Zealand.

From October 1st the range of Nulon oils will be available from Supercheap Auto stores. From everyday engine oils to performance oils, the range caters to both fuel and diesel engines.

Nulon is an Australian company which has been engineering engine treatments, additives, coolants and motor oils for over 29 years. Nulon is currently the category leader in Australia in fuel treatments, engine treatments and engine coolants. Their motor oil was subjected to their usual high standard of testing but also recently tested independently by Vince Rigoli against five other well-known brands, with Nulon coming out on top, producing the highest average rating of 178.9KW (check out the You Tube clip of the actual testing at www.smitsgroup.co.nz).

Whilst a selection of the Nulon Lubricant range has been available to trade outlets and a few trial stores in New Zealand for some months, the full range of Nulon lubricants will be on shelf at Supercheap Auto from 1 October 2009, including;

• Premium Engine Oils with AAT (Advanced Additive Technology)

• Trade Strength Mineral Engine Oils and Semi Synthetic Engine Oils

• 100% Synthetic Engine Oils with AAT (Advanced Additive Technology

• A full range of Gear Oils

• And the new generation in Automatic Transmission Fluids

For more product information about a specific engine oil or any other Nulon product, visit www.smitsgroup.co.nz and search Engine Oil.