13 Jan 2011

Yamaha has begun its search to find the top marine technician in its Australian and New Zealand dealer network with the launch of the 2011 Tech GP. The Tech GP is an event run every two years by Yamaha’s service department to crown the top marine technician in the Oceania region. Competitors are judged on their theoretical knowledge and pratical ability. The field has now been narrowed to just eight competitors.

This year the entry exam for the Tech GP had over 100 submissions from marine technicians working in Yamaha Marine dealerships all across Australia and New Zealand. From those entries, the top scorer from each state and New Zealand goes through to the final to be held at Yamaha’s marine training facility in Brisbane on the 23 of February 2011.

The finalists for the event in no particular order:

• David Kranz, Waikere MC and Marine, SA
• Brendan Irvine, Leon and Paul Savage’s Streaker Boats, VIC
• Simon Guard, Power Boating Centre, NZ
• Michael Finlay, In & Outboard Marine, NT
• Chris Willson Yamaha Pitmans Marine, SA
• Josh Kelly, Terrace Boating and Leisure, NSW
• Michael Franklin, Boat City, WA
• Ryan Zell, Yatala Yamaha, QLD

When these finalists meet in Brisbane there will be more advanced theory exams to be undertaken as well as a series of gruelling practical challenges designed to analyse the technicians’ ability to diagnose and solve complex problems, test Yamaha product knowledge and assess their customer service methods.

After the winner is crowned, all finalists are treated to some free time on the Gold Coast and given the opportunity to enjoy some of the Yamaha products they spend so much time working on in their respective dealerships.

“This event is aimed at recognising the contribution that service technicians make to our industry and acts as an incentive to help raise service standards,” said Yamaha Motor’s Marine Training Administrator Dan Power. “Our technicians genuinely appreciate the challenge of competing in this event. The VIP hospitality we arrange for them at its conclusion is a great way to reward them for their outstanding achievement to get this far in the competition.”

Yamaha Motor wishes all competitors the best of luck and eagerly awaits the results to see who will be crowned the top technician in the 2011 Tech GP.

Yamaha outboards are available through an Australia-wide network of authorised Yamaha outboard dealers.  All Yamaha 4-stroke outboards are supported with a full 4-year manufacturer’s warranty and all 2-stroke outboards are backed by a 3-year warranty – conditions apply.

All Yamaha outboards are available with the unique “Protection Plus” package that allows customers to access extended service protection, Yamaha Marine Insurance as well as Yamaha DNA theft deterrent for more confident and worry free boating.