Kiwi wins Yamaha Oceania Tech GP

Yamaha Motor Australia has announced that Jeremy Read of Filco Farm and Sport in Nelson, NZ has won Yamaha’s 2013 Oceania Technician Grand Prix held at YMA HQ in Sydney recently.

The Tech GP is the culmination of Yamaha’s Training Academy program aimed at raising the proficiency of all Yamaha technicians in the Oceania market region to ensure customers receive the best possible after-sales service.

The event helps raise the profile of technicians within the Yamaha dealer network and provides recognition that will help encourage others to take on a career as a Yamaha Technician.

Eight finalists were selected from over 100 applicants working in Yamaha dealerships across Australia and New Zealand. The finalists arrived at YMA HQ from every region and underwent a computerised theory examination and practical tasks that covered subjects such as fault diagnosis, product knowledge and information systems.

"Everyone at Yamaha sincerely congratulates Jeremy on winning such a close and tough GP," says YTA Training Co-ordinator Carl Rollinson.

"Jeremy is an Oceania Technician GP veteran and runner up from 2011. He loves anything on two or four wheels from dirt to road. He has a relentless hunger for anything technical and it shows in his skill level."

Jeremy -- who bought his first bike from Filco many years ago -- will go on to represent Oceania in the World Technicians Grand Prix in 2014.

Filco Dealer Principal Dave Filer has offered a high level of support for Jeremy and even ordered motorcycles he generally would not stock in order for Jeremy to sharpen his skills as a technician.

Roly Orr from Wilder Motorcycles in Young NSW was runner up in the competition.