Greg Murphy on plan to give full licence without second practical test: ‘That's not economics, that's just stupidity'
Greg Murphy wants a national standard driving curriculum to be established in schools.
A Hawke's Bay-based motorsport legend says a plan by the Ministry of Transport to remove the full-licence practical test is nothing short of 'ludicrous'.
In April, Minister for Transport Chris Bishop announced a range of suggested changes to the licensing system, including removing the full-licence practical test
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NZ Herald
3 days ago
- NZ Herald
Greg Murphy on plan to give full licence without second practical test: ‘That's not economics, that's just stupidity'
Greg Murphy wants a national standard driving curriculum to be established in schools. A Hawke's Bay-based motorsport legend says a plan by the Ministry of Transport to remove the full-licence practical test is nothing short of 'ludicrous'. In April, Minister for Transport Chris Bishop announced a range of suggested changes to the licensing system, including removing the full-licence practical test
Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Kiwi Lineage At The Forefront For The 'Jean Machine'
It's just as well Jean Kento Turner enjoys flying. This year he'll be making at least 10 return trips from his home in Osaka to various European race circuits, and a trip to New Zealand in 2026 is not out of the question. Jean – as in the 'Jean Machine' – is a busy 16-year-old Japanese schoolboy, contesting the Japanese Suzuka stock 600 series, as well as the European-based FIM Yamaha Blu Cru R3 World Cup and the Italian CIV Moto3 Championship with Team POS Corse. The Japanese national, who was born in Hiroshima, the middle of three children, also holds dual nationality through his Kiwi passport via his father Simon Turner. And for those wondering, yes, Jean's father is the Simon Turner who raced in New Zealand back in the 1980s and 90s. Jean, who turns 17 in September, has emerged this year as a rising talent, drawing on his years of European racing experience as he graduates to the bigger classes. He is equally at home in all three categories, father Simon says, though a recent growth spurt would suggest his immediate future lies in Moto2 or World Supersport. 'He's at the crossover phase.' 'He's now too tall for NSF250 Talent cup bikes/format and too young for full Moto2, so he's just enjoying exploring these three different categories and gaining new skills every time he gets on a bike.' The CIV series also suits Jean, where the bikes are slightly bigger than regular Moto3, running Yamaha 450cc engines. 'But, yes, a big bike is probably where Jean needs to be heading soon, Moto2 ideally.' This is Jean's first year racing on Japan's full-size circuits and in April he made his stock 600 debut on a Honda at Suzuka. 'He was most impressive on his 600 debut, in my eyes,' says Simon. 'He's still kind of unknown here in Japan, though Suzuka results have made people take notice.' Jean, riding for and under the guidance of former HRC rider and tester and Suzuka Eight-Hour pole-sitter Shinya Takieshi, finished second in his debut race at the famed Japanese track. He backed that up at the recent second round with a win. Takeishi san comments: 'Kento recently joined my team with the initial goal of using the Japanese domestic races at Suzuka on the 600cc as a training platform for his overseas efforts. 'However, it was clear from watching him at the first test that he had exceptional adaptability and natural speed, enough that I could see he would be a title contender right away. 'His curiosity and ability to absorb instructions then immediately convert them into action, even during a race situation, is unique. 'Feedback is precise and accurate, which makes my job very thrilling and rewarding. In the first two races of the season, he has achieved a second place and a win with the fastest laps on both occasions, much exceeding our expectations. 'We are looking forward to nurturing his considerable future potential.' It was also a new experience for Jean on the Yamaha. He had never ridden an R3before the first round of the R3 World Cup at Portimao. He learned quickly, and in just the second round at Misano earlier in June, Jean claimed a second-place finish – the first World Series podium in Europe by a member of the Turner family since uncle Keith 54 years ago. Jean currently sits seventh overall in the Yamaha R3 World Cup, with four rounds – 8 races – remaining. Jean's route to the world stage has been an interesting one, starting with Japanese pocket bike series until age 10, before moving on to 100cc minibikes and flat-tracking. At the age of 13, Jean made the big step to Premoto3 in the Italian Championship. After showing promise, he was picked up by Paulo Oliviera (Miguel Oliveira's father) to do the ultra-competitive 2023 ESBK Spanish Championship in Premoto3. Again, consistent improvements saw him running towards the pointy end of the field by year's end. However, 2024 was a frustrating year, a growing Jean no longer fitting comfortably on the NSF250 Talent Cup bikes and picked up an injury. Come 2025, and it was time to rethink bike choices and strategy, says Simon. 'Originally, I was planning on doing the Asia Pacific Yamaha R3 series,' Jeansays. 'But during the application process, Yamaha Japan intervened, and I was invited to go straight into the world series. 'It was a big leap into the unknown for me, but as it turns out Yamaha's judgment was the correct one.' Like so many teenage racers, Jean's family is funding his race programme. 'Yes, it's coming out of our pockets, and sustaining it for four years in Europe is certainly a huge family commitment so far,' says Simon, who runs an inkjet technology supply business based in Osaka. No decision has yet been made regarding the path Jean will take in 2026. 'We have an open mind, and several teams have seats available for him in FIMJuniorGP both Moto3 and Moto2, although funding is always a vital consideration,' says Simon. 'Certainly, Jean's podium and real pace at Misano was a big result and has already opened some new doors.' As for making a debut New Zealand race appearance, Jean says 'never say never'. 'Maybe if a nice summer race package came up . . . who knows.' Regardless, Jean is very proud of his New Zealand heritage and points to his helmet design by Starline – who create designs for MotoGP stars, including JorgeMartin, Pecco Bagnia and Joan Mir – 'Southern Cross and the silver ferns'.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Memorial rally returns to Southland roads in August
The Barry Robinson Memorial Wyndham Rally returns to the roads of the area on Saturday, August 2. The rally, named after the Mokoreta farmer who was a very successful rally driver, including finishing runner-up in the 1983 New Zealand Rally Championship, was established by the Eastern Southland Car Club in 2023. In addition to remembering Robinson, this year's event will also mark 50 years since the club held its first special stage rally, a Gore-based event in March 1975. There are slight changes to the route this year with an extra special stage increasing the length of high-speed competition to 137.15km. Many of the stages will be contested in a different sequence this year. As usual, the rally is based around the township of Wyndham, 45km east of Invercargill and 25km south of Gore. It will start at the MLT Three Rivers Hotel in Redan St, Wyndham at 9am on Saturday, August 2, with the first special stage at Tuturau over 21.15km. Wyndham Valley, over 17.49km, is the second stage before the 28.12km Waikawa Valley stage. Pine Bush, over 25.99km is next with a new stage, the 13.95km Graham Rd, next before the final 30.45km Fortification stage. "Having driven the route twice with clerk of the course Craig Jessop, as we did checks and alterations for the Rally Safe system, the new formation of stages drive really well and I am sure competitors will enjoy it," assistant course clerk Roger Laird said. "Craig has done a huge amount of work in creating the new route." The first car is expected to cross the finish line back at the MLT Three Rivers Hotel in Wyndham just before 3.30pm. During the day there will be three service parks — the first in Wyndham after stage one and two in Tokanui, about 44km from Wyndham, the first after stage three and then again after stage five. The event will be round four of the Mainland Rally Championship, round four of the H6 Cup Rally Series and the opening round of the 2025-26 Eastern Southland Car Club Rally Championship Cup. Sponsors this year include Traffic Management Services and Yuasa Batteries, with support from the Southland District Council, Gore District Council and the landowners on the rally route. The event prizegiving will take place in Gore at the MLT Croydon Lodge and the winning crew will be awarded the Barry Robinson Memorial Trophy. The leading Otago Sports Car Club driver in the event receives the Glen Shirlaw Memorial Trophy, while the best crew in class from the Central Otago Motorsport Club win the Barry Robinson Trophy. If no crew finishes, it will go to the top driver from the club. —APL
