Yamaha Australia:

V8 Supercar star Craig Lowndes received an early birthday present from Yamaha Motor Australia today, taking delivery of two brand new Yamaha R1s just days before he turns 35.

Lowndes, who has had a successful relationship with the motorcycle manufacturer for the last two years, said he was looking forward to hitting the road on the revolutionary 2009 model.

The second motorcycle will belong to his wife, Natalie who is also a bike enthusiast.

“I have read so much about the new model and when I went to Phillip Island for the World Superbike Championships and actually heard one of the bikes start up I knew I just had to have one,” said Lowndes.

“They sound amazing and the technological advances between the two models is just huge.

“I also have a dirt bike as well which I use for fitness and I really enjoy that side of my training, however, the road bike is my passion after coming from a race car background.

“I really love hitting the bitumen when I get a bit of down time.”

The motorcycle was handed to Lowndes by Yamaha Motor Australia’s Motorsport Manager, Ray Howard who said the bike presentation also marked an extension in the manufacturers relationship with the multiple Bathurst 1000 winner.

“It is great to extend our association with Craig [Lowndes] by providing him with two brand new Yamaha R1s,” said Howard.

“In the current economic climate it is important to have strong ambassadors who keep the brand at the top of the minds of the public and Craig continues to do that time and time again.

“We hope that both he and Natalie enjoy their time on the road on their new black R1s.”

Lowndes will have to wait until next week to become fully acquainted with his new motorcycle with the TeamVodafone driver set to fly to Darwin tomorrow for races 9 and 10 of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series at Hidden Valley Raceway.