Puke Ariki Joins the Fast Lane!

18 November 2005

News Release

Puke Ariki Joins the Fast Lane!

The world’s fastest Indian may have accelerated from Invercargill into the record annals of motoring history, but an exhibition in New Plymouth at Puke Ariki ‘Speed - Science in Motion’ will set an even hotter pace in Taranaki this summer!

‘Speed – Science in Motion’ is interactive and great fun, offering entertainment and a thrill a minute around a simulated race track complete with pit lane, workshop and physical testing environments. Sponsored by Shell, the opening of ‘Speed’ will coincide with the re-opening of the newly refreshed Oil and Gas Story exhibit located in the Taranaki Life Gallery.

Manager Puke Ariki Bill Macnaught describes the scope of the exhibition. “There is so much more to ‘Speed’ than just racing cars. The technology of Formula One vehicles, with their complex physics and engineering, produces challenges for engineers, technicians and designers as they develop faster and faster machines that once were considered practically impossible to achieve.”

“Then you have the human endurance and biology factors that create the differences between me as a driver and Michael Schumacher, who is considered to be the top racing driver in the world at present. It isn’t just his vehicle; it also has a lot to do with the man himself,” says Mr Macnaught.

Over the summer months Puke Ariki will offer an exciting events programme combining with the ‘Speed’ exhibition. “We have some well-known speakers from here and abroad,” says Mr Macnaught, who is delighted with the support shown by the Taranaki community towards these events. “There has been a lot of interest from local kart clubs, driver education and parent groups and the New Zealand Police for the events programme.”

He is keen to encourage Taranaki people to join up for a Puke Ariki membership card in order to get in free to the exhibition. “We will be charging visitors from outside Taranaki a $6 entry fee to see ‘Speed’, although all children under the age of 16 are free, so to get in free of charge you must have your membership card!”

“Speed is a huge factor in our lives today – whether in the velocity of our work or the pace of our play. This exhibition provides an adrenaline rush for everyone!” he says.

‘Speed – Science in Motion’ 19 November 2005 – 12 March 2006
Temporary Exhibition Gallery
North Wing, Puke Ariki

Membership of Puke Ariki is free. All you have to do is present two forms of identification, one of which shows your current address, at Puke Ariki or any of the district libraries in Waitara, Bell Block, Inglewood and Oakura. For all enquiries phone 06 7596060.

ENDS

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