The best gifts for Dad
Our handy gift-giving guide is just what you need for the bloke who taught you how to kick a footy… and had THAT talk with youFather's Day is fast approaching you don't want to end up with the boring offerings of undies, hankies, socks or a gift voucher, so here's a few suggestions to hint to your siblings.
Pal-V Liberty Helicycle
For a similar price to a Ferrari 458 you can be James Bond or Valentino Rossi, or both, with the Pal-V Liberty Helicycle. Built in the Netherlands, it's a two-seat, three-wheel motorcycle that converts into a gyrocopter, in just 10 minutes and for a cool $528,000 it can be yours.
Powered by a 169kW four-cylinder engine with a top speed of 190km/h in the air or on the ground, it accelerates from 0-100km/h (on the ground) in under eight seconds. Built from carbon, titanium and aluminium, the Helicycle can cruise at up to 4000 feet with a 400km flight range.
It features a tilting system, so it leans like a motorbike and is just as agile. With a flick of a switch, the Helicycle's propeller, rotor, and dual rudders are ready to deploy in 10 minutes.
Smartphone Head Up Display
The Navdy is a head-up-display operated by Bluetooth and a 12-Volt power socket in your car. It lets you use your smartphone without touching it or taking your eyes off the road.
The Navdy displays apps and can play music stored on your phone. It also provides Google map-based turn-by-turn satellite navigation. You can also make and take calls, which is all done through the voice recognition built into the smartphone. The Navdy displays texts and calendar alerts too. On the vehicle information front you get speed, revs and distance to empty. The nifty Navdy will cost you $650.
When you think of fine Italian leather driving shoes, the only name is Piloti. They are legendary. Over the years their shoes have been the footwear of choice for many of the world's top racers.
These days they have expanded their range to include many styles of casual shoes that still combine the unique Piloti styling, along with everyday comfort from $200.
Many Hollywood celebs have been seen slinking about in Piloti's that really are a work of art, featuring suede and/or leather, unique Roll Control spherical heel cushions, a sole tread inspired by vintage racing tyres and on the performance shoe range, Nomex lining and stitching.
TW Steel Watches
Among the race aces who wear TW Steel watches with pride are five-time World 500cc Champion, Australian Mick Doohan and F1 star David Coulthard – whose record stands at 13 F1 race wins and 62 podiums. Emerson Fittipaldi, two-times F1 world champion and two-times Indy 500 champion is another fan of the timepiece brand, as is arguably the greatest motorcycle racer of all, Valentino Rossi.
TW Steel specialises in large-face watches from 40-50mm and has been around since 2005, which is like yesterday in the watch world, but the rugged handsome designs have quickly won favor. They appear more 'premium' than their price suggests, starting at just $299.
A range of colours, sizes, and styles are available, anything from simple elegant evening watches to sporty offerings with all the bells and whistles.
Omega
Do you want the watch that landed on the moon? Omega has it, the aptly named 'Moon watch' which was strapped to the wrist of the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, on July 20 1969.
In fact, Omega watches have been strapped to NASA astronaut's wrists since March 1965. Even today, Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the moon, is an Omega Ambassador.
It's also the watch worn by super spy James Bond, so you are in good company if you opt to wear one.
While they have a small but distinctive model lineup, a favourite remains the iconic Moonwatch, in celebration of man's landing on the lunar surface.
Drones
Like them or not, they are here to stay and they're growing more popular every day. Drones are taking still and videography to a new level and some of the results are truly amazing.
The range of drones is almost endless; prices start as low as $49 for a basic drone with no camera, and head skyward (pardon the pun) to an eye watering $10,000.
There are many drones with a reasonable quality camera for around $500, but if you are serious about your quadcopter flying and filming, expect to blow around $2000 for something like the DJI Phantom 4 – the same brand motoring.com.au uses for its video needs – with multiple still and video recording, good flying time and range and a 360-degree view.
Stunt Driving School
So you're a bit of a daredevil and you want to do the stunts you've seen in the movies. Now's your chance, at the Melbourne-based Driver Dynamics Stunt Driving School, which was established in 2005.
Here you'll play out your favorite movie stunts like Jake and Elwood's Blues Brothers handbrake turn, or the 360-degree spin from Mission Impossible, the ramp jump from the Italian Job and even up on two wheels like James Bond in Diamonds are Forever. The Driver Dynamics Stunt Driving School provides the Mini Coopers and safety equipment and for $249 it's a lot of action for one day.
F1 Simulator
You've seen them thrash around Albert Park, cheered Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo, now it's your turn to slide into an F1 cockpit and set a lap time.
This F1 virtual racer has the latest curved screen and sensor technology, to give you a 'feel' of what it's like behind the wheel as you race against a friend.
All the famous tracks on the F1 calendar are available to select from for your 13 minutes of qualifying before the race.
You will also get a photo in the F1 car as a memento and a print out of your qualifying and race performance.
It's just $98 and for more details, go to the website.
Go Karting
Nothing gets the blood flowing like racing a go kart and these Honda powered nine-horsepower karts on a purpose built outdoor racetrack are as close as it gets to the real thing.
Based on a European kart centre, the Gold Coast-based 700-metre track features huge undulations, sweeping bends, banked corners and long straights. The karts are purpose-built racing chassis fitted with individual timing transponders, so you can try and beat your time, lap after lap. For $79 you get two ten-minute sessions, which may not sound a lot, but you'll be amazed how much energy it takes to control one of these beasts.
Check out the website for more information.
America's Cup yachting on Sydney Harbour
For something a little quieter but no less hectic, how about crewing on an America's Cup yacht on Sydney Harbour and racing against another 40-60 yachts?
You'll be involved in all elements of the sailing, including strategies and tactics employed in the racing of these multi-million-dollar craft with experienced yachtsman. The cost is $85 per person.
Go to the website for more information.
Two-seater Sprintcar ride
One of the wildest and weirdest looking race cars you'll ever see is a Sprintcar.
They're based on racers from the 1950's and these winged monsters are powered by a 410 cubic inch V8 with 800 + horsepower, running on methanol. They are lightning fast and have a better power to weight ratio than an F1 car.
The two-seater Sprintcar ride will see you strapped in behind one of the stars of the sport as you lap the 400 metre oval in a shade over 12 seconds, sliding through the turns and powering onto the straight under the lights of Archerfield Speedway, in a kaleidoscope of noise and speed.
The ride includes the supply of all safety gear and a briefing, plus photo opportunities and a chance to talk with the stars about these amazing cars
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