YAMAHA WORLD TECHNICIAN GRAND PRIX 2016

National Technician Grand Prix Contest Report 2016

AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND CONTEST REPORT 2016

  • COMPETITION OUTLINE

    Yamaha Motor Australia/New Zealand organized the Oceania Technician Grand Prix on 7th October 2015.

    Nine of the finest Yamaha Technicians earned the right to represent their state/country by attending YTA training and completing the preliminary exams.

    The Oceania Technicians Grand Prix is run over a 3 day period.

    • Day 1 is the competition and presentation dinner.
    • Day 2 is fun activities for the contestants and informal dinner.
    • Day 3 is the pack up and farewell to all the contestants.

    We run this event to show appreciation to our Yamaha Technicians working in the dealer network looking after Yamaha customers every day. After sales service is a very important part of the Yamaha network and we appreciate the efforts of all our technicians.

  • COMPETITION CONTENTS

    2015 Oceania Technician Grand Prix contestants:

    Roly Orr Wilder Motorcycles, New South Wales (NSW)
    Lincoln Brien Readfords Motorcycle Centre, New South Wales (NSW)
    Simon Stannard Bailey Motorcycles, New Zealand (NZ)
    Daniel Feck Hewitt Motorcycle, New Zealand (NZ)
    Sebastian van Dijk Mandurah Motorcycles, Western Australian (WA)
    Darren Stout SunCity Yamaha, Queensland (QLD)
    Bevan Holmes TeamMoto Yamaha Northside, Queensland (QLD)
    Matthew Shelton Bundaberg Outdoor Power, Queensland (QLD)
    Tim Dowbnia Peter Stevens Motorcycles, South Australia (SA)

CONTEST EVENT

The contest consists of a 50-question interactive theory exam taking one hour and nine practical tasks taking twenty five minutes each. We try to cover a wide range of Yamaha product to make it as unbiased as possible for the contestants.

The tasks involve basic skills and YTA training covered over the last 2 years.
They are designed to test the technician's knowledge and abilities.

This year's competition was the closest we have ever had in Tech GP history. It was a remarkable demonstration of these technicians' abilities, and even after all the ordeals we were able to put these technicians though, it was still too close to call!

  • Interactive theory questionnaire
  • 4WD Fault on Grizzly 450
  • MT09TRA Fault/s & Repair recommendation
  • YZF-R1 Clutch Task
  • WR450F Hard Starting
  • YZ450F Cam fitment & Timing

NTGP WINNER AND WTGP PARTICIPANTS

PROFILE

Name: Roly Orr
Dealer: Wilder Motorcycles, Young NSW
Working experience at Yamaha: 8 years

  • The team at Wilder Motorcycles in rural NSW
  • Wilder Motorcycles where owners Darrin & Tanya Wilder are great supporters of the YTA programs.
  • Roly leading the pack at the Phillip Island classic on his TR2. (Maybe some factory parts on offer while he is at YMC?!)
  • Not only a great person, but a very proud father.
What motivated you to take up the WTGP challenge?
My motivation take up the world Tech GP challenge with Yamaha has been with me for many years.
Since the inception of the Tech GP program, I have wanted to participate, however was not eligible until I came to work for Darren at Wilder Motorcycles.
What effort did you make to win the National Contest?
After being runner up in my first attempt at the national contest, I put more effort into general study and familiarisation with the current models.
I found the contest less daunting the second time around, which helps lessen anxiety during the competition.
Let us know the activities or services your shop is doing to go beyond the expectations of the customers, if any.
Let us know the activities or services your shop is doing to go beyond the expectations of the customers, if any.
In our Dealership, we strive to provide excellent service by keeping up to date with training & product knowledge.
All of our technicians are regular attendees at Yamaha training, and have acquired the skills needed to serve our customers well.
When do you find your job rewarding?
I find my work rewarding when a difficult problem presents itself and through diagnosis can be fully rectified. Sometimes it is an unusual fault and can be quite challenging, but with perseverance can usually be repaired.
What is your favorite point about Yamaha?
My favourite thing about Yamaha is not only is it a good product in general, but the service team in Australia are second to none.
What challenge do you want to take up or be passionate about in your work from here on in?
What challenge do you want to take up or be passionate about in your work from here on in?
At my age, 57, I hope to be able to keep my technical skills sharp. I have been in the motorcycle trade for 37 years, and have acquired some skills I would like to pass on to trainees and fellow staff.
What are your aspirations for the 2016 WTGP?
As far as the 2016 World Tech GP goes, I am so pleased to attend, and feel privileged just to make it to Japan. Any success I may have in the world competition will be a bonus, and I will be happy just to attend.

OTHER PHOTOS

  • Mr Hideshima, Director and Managing Executive Officer, YMC was a very welcome guest. He was very interested in how the Tech GP was run and very involved at the presentation dinner with all the contestants. All the contestants commented on Mr Hideshima taking the time to be here and how approachable and friendly he was.
  • Mr Hideshima & Kevin Magee
  • Mr Hideshima & Tim Dowbnia (Runner Up)
  • Day 2: Enjoying driving Lexus V8 off-road buggies.
  • Waiting to drive the Wolverine on the circuit. This vehicle impressed everyone with just how capable it is. Best advertising of great Yamaha products: letting the staff & technicians use it! Revs your heart!
  • Excitement already building with the first preview of the new YXZ1000R by staff and contestants.