WOODS POINT WHEELING

THE MAZDA BT-50 HEADS FOR THE HILLS ON A PHOTO SHOOT

- ELLEN DEWAR

When one thinks of an average work day, many brace for the inevitable peak-hour traffic, hoping it's not bumper to bumper and that we make it to the office on time. But the 4X4 Australia office can be anywhere, with some day commutes best described as epic adventures.

A couple of months in and the BT-50 had really put on the kays. On this particular day the work commute started at 6.30am for a short 1.5 hour jaunt to meet Wheels magazine feature writer Andy Enright at Warburton at 8am.

We grabbed a quick coffee and headed east following the Yarra up the endless wriggly blacktop of Reefton Spur, slowly twisting upwards with the rattle of the diesel cutting into the music from the sound system. Engine noise was not excessive, just noticeable when slowing then accelerating from bend to bend that seem to go on and on.

We stopped along the way to capture some action imagery, with mist hovering amongst the trees. The BT-50's side panels proved flat enough to accommodate the suction cups required to mount the camera to capture rolling imagery solo.