YAMAHA AUSTRALIA:

Greg Dodt from Yamaha Country in Gympie, QLD has scooped first spot at Yamaha Technical Academy’s industry leading Oceania Motorcycle Technician Grand Prix.

Having entered the event on three previous occasions, veteran Tech GP competitor Dodt was one of the favourites to win.

“It took a while coming but I finally came out on top,” explains the experienced technician. “While every event has been different, it has been an advantage attending four on the trot. But its the high level of training offered by the Yamaha Technical Academy combined with assistance from Yamaha’s QLD service department that has helped me achieve this result,” says 42-year-old Dodt, who finished a close second in the last two Yamaha MC Tech GPs.

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

The event involves gruelling practical tasks and a tough theoretical test undertaken by a select group of motorcycle service staff at YMA’s headquarters in Sydney.

Second place went to Glenn Merriman from Fineline Motorcycles in Taree, NSW. “It’s a great event that recognises the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in the service department and I would recommend other technicians to apply for future Tech GPs. The spinoff benefits for the dealerships are great plus it’s a heap of fun,” says Merriman.

The 10 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 10 practical tasks that covered subjects such as fault diagnosis, product knowledge and customer service.

The 10 finalists were:

Region Name Dealership Town
NSW  Glenn Merriman Fineline Motorcycles Taree
NSW Ben Rose Lismore Motorcycles Lismore
NZ  Jeremy Read Filco Farm and Sport Nelson
NZ  Greg Smith Waikato Yamaha Hamilton
QLD Greg Dodt Motorcycle Country Gympie
QLD Steven Teese  Jimboomba Motorcycles Jimboomba
SA/NT Ricky Phillips Bridgeland Motorcycles Murray Bridge
WA  Alan Cameron Cullys MC Centre Balcatta
VIC/TAS Josh Ross Traralgon Motorcycles Traralgon
VIC/TAS Ken Robinson Moe Motorcycles Moe