Subaru Drivers Guaranteed Weekend at Whakapapa

PRESS RELEASE
11 July 2005
For immediate release

Subaru Drivers Guaranteed a Top Weekend at Whakapapa

August 27/28 2005

Subaru, the official vehicle supplier for Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is hosting its annual Top Weekend at Whakapapa on the 27th and 28th August.

The legendary Subaru Top Weekend provides preferential treatment to Subaru owners, including the best parking, the chance to meet New Zealand's top rally driver and great entertainment from a DJ, to the competitive Snow Rally.

Subaru has a well established association with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, due to its on-going commitment to providing the best all weather condition vehicles. The All Wheel Drive Subaru vehicles, renowned for their superior grip in every type of road condition, are perfect for the changeable conditions of New Zealand roads and make them the first choice for the team at Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. The Subaru vehicles provide safety and comfort to mountain staff and give them the ability to transfer power from the wheels that slip, to the wheels that grip!

"Our reputation for better handling and road holding in adverse conditions, has made Subaru vehicles synonymous with winter driving in New Zealand," says Wallis Dumper, Subaru of New Zealand General Manager.

"Our customers buy our vehicles because of these features, they love to travel different terrains and that is why Subaru Top Weekends have proved so popular.

"The Subaru Top Weekend is a long established loyalty reward and is our way of saying thanks to our customers in a truly unique Subaru way!

"Keeping to almost a decade of tradition, we've set aside the top 200 carparks for Subaru drivers only. Given the popularity of the weekend, we recommend our customers get up the mountain early as there are only limited spaces and no reservations!" Mr Dumper added.

And it's not just the best parking spots, the fun continues on the slopes! Mr Dumper explains, "The weekend is full of entertainment and fun for the whole family. There's the snow rally, a live DJ, the opportunity to meet New Zealand's National Rally Drivers' Champion Chris West, multi-sport legend Steve Gurney, and the chance to view our latest model cars. Obviously all mixed in with some skiing and snowboarding!"

The popular Subaru Snow Rally will take place at noon each day providing great entertainment for the whole family. The Rally is a crazy speed-sliding race down the mountain, where contestants jump onto 'Subaru Sliders' and take on friends and family to be in to win great prizes from Cadbury Moro, V and Mizone. There's also a fantastic prize pack with products from Atomic, Thule, Macpac and Nokia, and complimentary coffee served by Jungle Coffee.

The popularity and success of the Top Weekend at Mt Ruapehu, as well as the logical fit between Subaru and the mountain environment, has also encouraged Subaru to extend its involvement within the New Zealand snow industry to the South Island's Cardrona ski field. The inaugural Top Weekend at Cardrona will take place in 2006.

New Zealand's varied weather conditions drive more Kiwis to choose Subaru's symmetrical All Wheel Drive vehicles resulting in continuing growth and success over recent years. 2005 is already off to a great start, revealing 20% growth for the niche car brand.

For more information on the Subaru Top Weekend please go to www.subaru.co.nz

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