As competitors around the country psyche themselves up to race the Kathmandu Coast to Coast this week, Subaru of New Zealand has readied a fleet of Subaru vehicles for the iconic February 9 and 10 event.
As the ultimate in Kiwi adventure vehicle brands, Subaru is the official vehicle supplier to the 243km West Coast to East Coast of the South Island race, for the second consecutive year.
Subaru of New Zealand’s Marketing Manager Daile Stephens says it was an easy decision to partner with the Kathmandu Coast to Coast again this year.
“Last year we loved seeing our Subaru vehicles out on course doing the Kathmandu Coast to Coast alongside all the inspiring competitors. Subaru and this challenging event both embody the spirit of Kiwi adventure, so it creates a wonderful two-way synergy,” Mrs Stephens says.
The branded Subaru SUV models will be on duty before and during the Coast to Coast. Operations Manager Bill Roxburgh will be using his Subaru to transport him around doing the myriad of tasks involved with organising and setting up New Zealand’s definitive multi-discipline race.
Subarus will also be seen out on course - leading the fastest Two-Day athlete on Friday, February 10; the fastest One-Day competitor on Saturday, February 11; and keeping the final few racers company as the tail car.
Event Director Richard Ussher says: “It is great to have Subaru on board with the Kathmandu Coast to Coast again in 2018. The Subaru brand is synonymous with adventurous people who get out and explore, making it the perfect fit for the Coast to Coast and its competitors.”
Because there are so many Subaru vehicles out on the course transporting support crews and gear around, Subaru and the Coast to Coast are setting up a VIP Subaru car park area at Klondyke Corner.
“The lower South Island has such a high number of Subaru owners per capita, so we thought we would supply an area reserved for Subaru drivers only, so they can park close to the action. The Klondyke transition area was an obvious choice, as it is where the Mountain Run stage finishes on the first day and where the cyclists depart the following morning on the short cycle to the kayak stage,” Mrs Stephens says.
Subaru Brand Ambassador Braden Currie - a three-times Coast to Coast champion - is not racing this year, however he has shared his top tips for Coast to Coast preparation on Subaru New Zealand’s new Facebook page. Make sure you check it out to learn his trade secrets around gear preparation, transitions and nutrition in the lead up to this year’s Coast to Coast.
Currie’s fellow Subaru Brand Ambassador Art Green has signed up for the infamous 30km Mountain Run section of the Coast to Coast. In 2017 he competed in the two-day tandem event and absolutely loved it.
“It was such an incredible experience. I trained enough so that I was able to enjoy the event and really take in the beauty of the landscape. It is an epic undertaking, but the triumph felt when stepping on the beach at Brighton, knowing you have raced across the entire width of New Zealand using nothing but body power is incredible,” Green says.
He found his Subaru Levorg was the ultimate vehicle to help enable his training.
“Because I was juggling work and training at the same time, like most people, I would be up early or out late driving round and fitting in training sessions around work. Whether I was throwing my bike in the back, driving out to some trails to run, or fitting a kayak on the roof, the Levorg was ideal!” Green says.
Check out Subaru Brand Ambassador Braden Currie’s video of top Coast to Coast tips on Subaru New Zealand’s new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SubaruofNZ/
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Catherine Pattison
Public Relations
Subaru of New Zealand
M +64 (0)27 44 55 389
E catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz
subaru.co.nz