Strutt off to Japan

By Mark Orchard

TORONTO, ON -- Ten Yamaha technicians from across the country earned the right to compete in Yamaha Canada’s Technician Grand Prix on June 15. This was the second running of the event, which is held every other year. The program was developed by Yamaha to help recognize the efforts of its dealership technicians.

After competing in their local regions, finalists gathered at Yamaha Canada’s head office to compete head-to-head under the close scrutiny of Yamaha personnel as well as the gathered media and VIPs. Following a stressful, eight-hour competition consisting of 12 labs of timed exercises Roger Strutt from Strutt Yamaha & Marine out of Kindersley, SK emerged as the victor. Strutt earned the honour of representing Canada at the finals in Japan, Oct. 19. Yamaha officials are expecting 6000 competitors from 38 countries to be in attendance.

Proving the intensity of the Canadian competition, Strutt’s victory was by a slim eight points with totals running near 1000. Nick King from Vernon Motorsports Ltd. in Vernon, BC was the runner up with Bloys Dekker from Spunky’s Motorcycle Shop in Parksville, BC third, also only a few points back.