YAMAHA 1-2-3 AT RELIABILITY TRIAL

Yamaha Press Release will interest the blue crew.
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Yamaha finishes 1-2-3 in world's longest-running reliability trial
Yamaha riders have swept the top three finishing positions for the first time ever at the 2009 Yamaha 24 Hour Trial in Eudunda, South Australia.

Established in 1924 and run every year thereafter, the event is the ultimate reliability test for motorcycles, requiring riders to complete up to 700km over the duration.

Riders cover a variety of terrain throughout the event, contrasting from open grass paddocks to dry creek beds to axle-deep mud.

As well as challenging the reliability of the motorcycle, the event also tests riders' physical strength and mental focus.

Mechanical aptitude is a must - running repairs can only be made by the nominated rider and can only be carried out using tools carried aboard the bike.

The rally-style event pits riders against the clock - each second that passes sees a point added to the lap total.

An outright win had eluded Yamaha in the past, but the manufacturer certainly made up for it in 2009, with the top three finishers coming home aboard blue bikes.

Winner Sean Throup rode his WR450F to outright victory, finishing the event on 16919 points. He won two of the four competitive laps.

This year marks the 21-year-old's sixth entry into the 24 Hour Trial.

A WR450F-mounted rider also claimed second place. Christopher Power finished up the event on 16940 points, putting in a consistent performance which included a win on lap 3.

Rounding out the podium finishers was the WR250F-mounted rider, Tom Oye.

Oye finished on 17160 points, a score bolstered by a win on lap 2.

Yamaha Motor Australia Manager, Motorsports Division, Ray Howard congratulated the Yamaha placegetters on their dominant performance.

"The Yamaha 24 Hour Trial is a long-standing event and one of the toughest of its kind in the world," said Howard.

"For Yamaha riders to finish 1-2-3 is an impressive achievement. Not only does it highlight the incredible skill and focus of the riders involved, it also demonstrates just how capable and reliable the WR450F and WR250F machines are.

"We are proud to be leading the way in a variety of competitive events and series, with WR machines currently dominating the Australian Off Road Championship and also lining up as an outright favourite at the upcoming Australasian Safari.

"The 24 Hour Trial result is a strong representation of the performance that Yamaha's fleet of off-road motorcycles continue to deliver."