869 days ago

Cromwell's oldest rev-head? 81-year-old former bus driver celebrating Lamboghini win

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

By reporter Sam Smith:

This might just be Cromwell’s oldest rev-head.

Ivan Fahey, a former volunteer bus driver at Highland Motorsport Park, will now be cruising round town in a 2014 Lamborghini Huracans following the win of a lifetime at the weekend.

The 81-year-old was at the park for the 10th anniversary celebrations where the car was being given away to mark the occassion.

The Lamborghini, which is priced at between $250,000 and $445,000, was used for hot laps at Highlands sister circuit Hampton Downs and can accelerate from 0 to 100km in as little as 2.9 seconds.

The two-seater luxury car was bought directly from Lamborghini by Highlands owner Tony Quinn and fitted with a roll cage for use in the road rally race Targa NZ.

Fahey says he is over the moon with his win and has a smile on his face that is permanent.

“I am not a winner of raffles, so this sort of thing doesn't happen to me, but this time it did,” he said.

Fahey is no stranger to motorsport, having been an avid watcher for over 60 years and a volunteer at the park where he claimed his victory.

“I drove their little bus ... I used to deliver spectators around the circuit to different vantage points and do town pickups and drop-offs,” Fahey says.

“I did that for about four, maybe five years. I have always been a supporter of Highlands because I see it as being a great facility for our town of Cromwell.”

Fahey owns two cars; a BMW 5 Series and a Suzuki Grand Vitara, but has no plans as yet to make his new acquisition his drive of choice.

“It will get used from time to time. I took it out yesterday. It was exciting. It was fantastic. It was very easy to drive. This car is unreal. The engineering means it is built to go fast.”

Fahey says his phone has been running hot since the win, with friends and family enjoying his win as well.

“They are pretty excited for the old man. A remarkable number of people have phoned me and sent me texts and messages.”

As for his new new-found fame? Fahey says he doesn’t think it is warranted: “I am just a country guy who's not used to all this attention”.

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4 hours ago

Poll: How important is the ability to book a doctor’s appointment online?

The Doctors

Hi Neighbours
Here at The Doctors we would love to hear how you prefer to book your doctor’s appointments. With busy schedules, different people find different methods easier.

For some, online booking is very convenient, you can make an appointment anytime without needing to wait on the phone. Others still prefer calling the clinic and speaking to a real person, especially if they have specific questions about their visit.

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💡 A Little Brain Buzz for You⚡

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I have two faces, but show you only one.
I once had guests, but now have none.
I’m rarely bloody and seldom blue.
I’m often promised and sometimes new

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7 days ago

Considering Renting Out Your Holiday Home?

Bachcare

Hey Neighbours,

Have you ever thought about renting out your holiday home, or wondered if you could be earning more from your current short-term rental?

As part of the Neighbourly community, Bachcare is offering a FREE short-term rental appraisal to help you understand your property’s earning potential.

With more than 20 years of experience, we support over 1,500 homeowners across New Zealand with 24/7 guest support, local teams on the ground, and professional cleaning services. Our goal is to make hosting simple while helping you maximise your income.

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