Boys, toys and lots of noise

Big Boys Toys opened with a bang- or rather, 1 million double happy fireworks- as Beau Tyler launched the rubber-burning, Mini-racing, bike-jumping event last night at ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.

The event was typically testosterone-fuelled, as one would hope, but had the women's touch with a welcome by Rock FM DJ Leah Panapa, with co-host Roger Farrelly. The dinner was suitably macho- burgers and pies- but made special by the fact the Wendy's burgers were handed out by no less than the TV ad's Dave ("Gramps!" cried Leah) and Tui pies by shorts-and-high-heel wearing young women. 

Then, with an entrance in the Tui beer hall by jeep, the guest MC arrived. The TV ad motivational speaker with Big Nuts, Beau Tyler pressed the flesh as he made his way to the stage for a lukewarm reception from the hard-to-hype media crowd.

After adjourning outside, and after 6 painful minutes of impromptu stand-up by Beau Tyler "sucking up to the celebrities", as he said, (mostly trying to get Te Radar up the front saying he was paid to attend, which Radar agreed was true but refused to play ball) the real fun began. A nationwide competition to ignite the 1 million double happy fireworks in a pyrotechnic tower had been won by a young man clearly excited by his role and had a little too much to drink. As often happens, most laughs come from things you least expect; children, animals and unpleasant accidents, and this guy was a combination of all three. Barely able to stand, he drank Beau Tyler's beer, hugged every celebrity in sight, lay down on the stage, and almost set off the 1942 detonation unit too soon- all to the delight of the crowd.

Bang! TV's Close Up crew were ready to go live and Martin set off the fireworks, which were deafening.

1 million double happies BEFORE...

..and 1 million double happies AFTER

Mayor of Auckland John Banks ("He's back. It's like a sequel" said Beau) attended with his two sons and took a spin in the racing Minis, along with Leah Panapa, who said it was just like her drive to work everyday, so watch out for her on the streets as these cars are fitted out for racing, doing high speed doughnuts and swerving around giant bowling pins.

Cunning Stunts motorbikes did noisy laps and front tyre wheelies and burned out two tyres which won't endear them to any Greens Party members. My favourite was the FMX stunt bikes in the Luke Smith MotoMayhem group, with one rider executing complete 360 turns between the ramps.

 So for beer, pies, performance cars, and death-defying acts, there's really only option- get down to the Showgrounds. And drive safely- you never know where Leah Panapa could be.

www.bigboystoys.co.nz

Megan Robinson, 14 November 2008

Photos: Kevin Robinson