Son's memory stays on the road

By WAYNE THOMPSON

At first glance, the car in the driveway of the Pala family's Glendene home seems the same as the dozens of low-slung, throaty hatchbacks that cruise the streets of Auckland.

But painted on the gleaming bonnet of the Mazda Familia is the face of a young, dark-haired man, smiling with enjoyment.

"That's my baby, my Nikheel," says Ann Pala. "He loved his car; he loved life."

The car and the face of 19-year-old Nikheel have in the past year become a powerful symbol among West Auckland youth, who share Nikheel's passion for cars and speed.

Early on September 26, 2001, Nikheel was one of four youths in car that went out of control at 150km/h on a Titirangi road.

Nikheel, a front-seat passenger and not wearing a seatbelt, was killed. His three friends were injured but survived.

The driver did not have a licence.

Nikheel's family and friends were determined not to let his death become just another statistic.

They called themselves NixCrew in his honour and set out to drive a four-wheel road safety message - Nikheel's car.

It had been stolen just weeks before his death, and, when recovered, had been stripped of all the equipment and modifications that absorbed so much of Nikheel's spare time and earnings from his job at a service station.

Waitakere City motor trade companies became sponsors and made good the loss. They worked on the car to make it a showpiece of the modified performance craft.

NixCrew has a roster of 40 volunteers who take the car to race meetings and car shows.

They urge young people to refrain from illegal drag racing and car modifications, to wear seatbelts, to be alcohol and drug free when driving and to have valid driver's licences.

The growth of NixCrew has helped Mr and Mrs Pala cope with losing their only son.

"Looking at the car is very painful. But I think he would want me to do something like this," said Mrs Pala.

She said friends had noticed a change for the good in the behaviour of their boys when it came to drinking and driving.

"It's making road safety cool," said Waitakere City Council road safety co-ordinator Kitch Cuthbert, who is supporting NixCrew.

"It's the first project of its kind in the country and I'm sure it will go nationally."

Taking the car to schools is also planned.

NixCrew has grown to 280 members in a year and more join each time the car appears.

Every member gets a sticker to put on their car window, which earns them discounts at motor trade companies.

But in return, they must stick to membership rules that forbid speeding on the road and illegal drag racing.

The need for an outlet for enthusiasm has prompted NixCrew to form a charitable trust, which gathers sponsors from the motor trade for annual drag racing meetings at the Champion Raceway Meremere.

The second event was held last Sunday and drew 4000 people and racing cars from as far away as Wellington.

The event organiser, Azhar Bhamji, a friend of Nikheel and also a trustee, said the event raised about $2500 each time for various charities, such as the Yellow Ribbon Trust.

Last Sunday's guest driver was Auckland Mayor John Banks, who roared up the dragstrip several times in his Ferrari sports car.

Describing himself as "an old petrol head", Mr Banks said he supported the racers' offroad activities. Eighteen months ago Mr Banks promised a crackdown on "boy racers".

"I'm critical of bad behaviour on the streets, but at the same time I wanted to give these young people encouragement.

"They are good kids from good families and it was a well-organised run and the behaviour was responsible."

Herald Feature: Cutting the road toll