MONTY BETHAM PRESENTS SKY SPORT 2’S LIVE COVERAGE OF THE WARRIORS V BRONCOS MATCH TODAY FROM 4.30PM
Tell us about the Mazda you are driving?
I drive a Mazda Atenza 2007, sponsored by City Motor Group, to assist me and The Monty Betham Steps for Life Foundation, a not-for-profit registered incorporated charity. Our focus is providing our youth with the right tools and the steps required to fight obesity for life. Check out our website, stepsforlife.co.nz.
What do you like about this car? It's a driven billboard which helps promote the foundation. It's also very economical and you wouldn't believe some of the loads I've had to transport in the back. Very practical for what I do. The car has a fantastic paint job which the kids are drawn to. There are little footprints around the car with the foundation’s logo and the colours representing what we stand for orange (success) black (stability) and white (pure).
Do you have a special number plate?
Not on this car but somewhere I have the number plate MONTZ, which is my nickname and what friends call me.
Who else is allowed to drive your Mazda?
Anyone with a licence. If they are helping out the foundation that’s a good enough reason for me.
What do you always have in your car?
A set of training gear. I never know when the opportunity to have some fun will pop up.
How often do you clean it?
Not often enough.
First car?
A Mitsubishi Mirage, in white. There’s nothing like owning your first set of wheels.
Your dream car?
A 4-wheel-drive, probably a souped-up Range Rover Sport. That's all I need in looks, performance and practicality. I've been fortunate over the years to have sponsors who have allowed me to drive some nice cars.
Favourite car colour?
Black. Most people like black or red, right? Black is sleek.
Who taught you to drive?
My mum taught me when I got a learner’s licence, so 15. We would go out near the airport in the industrial area. She was firm and I was the second of two kids so I knew what I was in for.
Any tips for young drivers? Relax, listen, listen, and listen.
Do you prefer manual or automatic?
Manual, it’s just more fun I guess, but I haven't driven one for some years.
Most memorable road trip?
Coming back from a Warriors end-of-year trip. The planes couldn't fly out of Queenstown so I drove to Christchurch. At first it was the beautiful scenery and flat roads which took my attention until some very smelly Warriors team-mates (who shall remain un-named), asleep in the back, gassed me out for four hours. Memorable for the wrong reasons.
If you could go anywhere, in any car, with anyone?
I would go in a Ferrari through the open roads of Germany with Lewis Hamilton. I don't think I could be more scared, and it's nice to step out of your comfort zone where possible.
Favourite movie or TV car scene?
Not a favourite car scene but as a young excitable kid growing up, I don't think you could go past Kitt from Knight Rider. That was one cool car.
What do you listen to in your car?
Radio these days, surfing between Mai FM and Radio Sport. On a long haul it’s Spotify playlists all day.
What’s a great day trip out of Auckland?
Waiwera hot pools. Forty minutes in a car to have a soak and picnic, and you can stop at Orewa beach for an ice cream and walk before a nice ride home again.
What irritates you most about other drivers?
Drivers who don't acknowledge when they have been helped in a situation.
Your take on Auckland’s traffic?
It's ridiculous how bad it has become and I can't see it getting much better.