Richard Moore, V8 SuperTourer Driver with M3 Racing, rides a Vespa to get around town. Photo / Ted Baghurst.
What do you get around on when you're not driving V8s ...
I'm riding a Vespa, 2003, 49cc and black with brown trim. It's actually my Dad's old scooter. It's mine now.
Why a Vespa?
It's so cheap to get around town, you get straight to work at 8am and park wherever you want, it takes about $5 to fill up and it lasts about a week. Not having a big income, it makes life a lot easier.
First car you owned?
First car was a Honda Integra, I got a lot of stick for having that but to be honest it was probably the best value for money car I could have.
Your dream car ...
Probably a Ferrari F40 as a child; that was my dream car.
Favourite car colour?
I don't have a favourite. Most cars seem to suit different colours depending on what they are. You have your Ferraris in red and Lamborghinis always suit yellow.
Who taught you to drive?
My dad and my mum a couple of times. I learned to drive when I was about 13 in a paddock as we had a Mini Moke. I was racing cars when I was 14 but I couldn't learn how to drive a manual gearbox on the road legally. That probably sums up my whole life, doing things in cars before anyone else has.
Manual or automatic?
I've always liked to drive manual but, for a long journey, automatic does make it easier. But driving round town I enjoy the added involvement of driving a manual gearbox.
Most memorable road trip?
Best road trip was with a couple of friends to a gokart championship in Dunedin. That had everything, the scenery down there, the ferry trip ... it was a cool trip.
What's a great day trip out of Auckland?
Waiheke. Take your scooter or rent one or catch the bus, pop into some wineries.
Do you judge people by what they drive?
Not really, for most people a car is just to get them from place A to place B. They may sit up and take notice when someone drives a new model or a really cool car.
What irritates you most about other drivers?
People speeding up when they get to passing lanes. It can be dangerous. They sit at 90km/h and then speed up to 120 on the passing lanes.
Would you rather drive in Auckland or take public transport?
For Auckland I definitely want to be on a scooter. I'm sure everyone in Auckland understands the transport system isn't really great. Being spread out makes trains and buses pretty average.
Is anyone else allowed to drive your Vespa?
Absolutely, as long as they have a licence. The only exception is my father who had an accident on it in the rain and told his friends he fell off a motorbike and not a scooter as he was embarrassed.
Cycling and cars ... is there space for them both on NZ roads?
I think so. It's a hot topic. I ride a road bike, a scooter and drive cars. I can see what everyone is complaining about from all aspects. It is disappointing that some road users give cyclists and scooter riders a hard time and make it dangerous. I think as the price of petrol goes up, we'll see more bikes and more scooters on the roads and that would make a world of difference. People would understand what it is like to have a car whizz pass you and nearly knock you off.
As told to Donna McIntyre.
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