High Octane

By REBECCA BARRY

Petrolheads and followers of turbo culture will already be aware of the hugely successful High Octane DVD series, an entertaining, non-threatening insight into the world of performance cars in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Japan.

The latest release from the pit comes at a peak time for the Kiwi company, which says it produces the highest-selling series of its kind in the world a British version of High Octane 2, for instance, sold 220,000 copies in its market alone.

Featuring more of the cutting-edge action from host Ketzal Sterling and friends, High Octane Overboost captures the diverse and funny aspects of boy-racer heaven.

From the fastest, most powerful dream cars to the driest of observations about this greasy sub-culture, the High Octane style is not just pitched at bogan or techies, although there's plenty here for both.

First the team heads to Sydney, a city where Sterling's mate has lived for six years "and almost got laid four times".

It also happens to be home of the Jamboree, a mecca of performance cars. Much burnt rubber and car-talk later, it's straight to the "action" cue interviews with the exotic promo girls and footage from a bikini competition.

Expertly shot on film at heady music-video pace, the action then heads off-track to the scenic National Park, where two sports cars go head-to-head in what is both a branding exercise and an exciting race.

But it's not just the sexy Mazda RX8s or Nissan 350 Zs that get a run for their money. When they head to the contrasting Taupo circuit, Sterling's commentary gets technical: "This Supra is very ugly. In fact, it's the ugliest car here today."

There is also advice on audio gear, keeping those with less dosh in mind, plus interviews with drivers and fans.

The highlight is when a dilapidated 1990 Honda CRX gets the Pimp My Ride treatment before its race against an Aston Martin, the most street-worthy moment in a film that has little to do with the recklessness of Fast & the Furious.

Still, all the answers are here. Even, imparts the wise Sterling, "if you're having a hard time consolidating a relationship with a woman".

DVD