Coppins & YMNZ
Coppins and Yamaha Motor New Zealand launch three activations across NZ
Never one to sit still for long, Yamaha Motor New Zealand’s (YMNZ) Motorsport Manager Josh Coppins has used the recent break in racing to organise and launch three exciting new activations for the brand.
The former international motocross legend has banded together with other experienced ambassadors, cross country star Paul Whibley, and successful motocross riders/coaches Ben Townley and Rhys Carter to run bLUcRU Kids Camps and Yamaha Off-Road Demos throughout New Zealand.
Also, on the adventure riding cards, is the three-day Ténéré Tour 2020, which explores the Central Plateau region.
Coppins says he is excited about executing this long-term strategy to introduce a wider audience to the brand, which will be delivered via Altherm Josh Coppins Racing (JCR) in partnership with YMNZ.
“There is a lot of uncertainty around racing at the moment and lockdown gave us time to slightly change the direction of Altherm JCR Yamaha, which has always been the plan.
Our team has the structure and the support of our quality ambassadors to show our customers the heart and soul of our brand and give them an exceptional experience across several riding disciplines.
We want these three activations to be fun, enjoyable and ultimately to showcase what our Yamaha models are capable of,” Coppins says.
bLUcRU Kids Camps
The bLUcRU Kids Camps will be open to children aged 14 years and under, plus their families and will be run around New Zealand from October 2020.
Altherm JCR will deliver exceptional value and memorable experiences, with something for riders of all abilities. The two full days will include three different riding loops; coaching sessions; mechanic workshops; plus plenty of activities for kids.
“We want to give families an experience where they can achieve a really good set-up and tap into the combined experience of Ben, Rhys, myself and other Yamaha ambassadors. You can come along with any bike (open to all manufacturers, not just Yamaha customers), camp on site at the track and ride for the weekend. We will even have a range of Yamaha demo bikes available for you to try,” Coppins says.
Prices start from $110 per child and $130 per adult, so get in quick to receive the early bird deals, or family discount. Places are limited.
Dates and locations are as follows:
2nd to 4th October 2020 - Burts Farm, Matata
20th to 22nd November 2020 - Private property, Glen Murray
22nd to 24th January 2021 - Taikorea MX Park, Palmerston North
March/April 2021 - Canterbury (date and location TBC)
March/April 2021 - Southland (date and location TBC)
For more information or to register, please head here.
Yamaha Off-Road Demos
The series of nationwide Yamaha Off-Road Demo events will be run by YMNZ in association with JCR and Townley’s 101 Adventures.
Beginning in September 2020, the one-day demos are available to all New Zealand customers, who can come along and try out a variety of Yamaha off-road motorcycles, including the YZ250X, YZ125X, WR450F, WR250F, YZ450FX and YZ250FX.
“I’m really excited to get out and about this spring and fill up the 101 Adventures’ trailer with Yamahas! The FX and WR range’s 250 and 450 models are amazing bikes, so it’s going to be really cool for riders to experience what they have to offer and New Zealand is the perfect playground for them,” Townley says.
There will be mechanics on hand, along with bLUcRU ambassador Whibley, who will assist customers with bike set up, recommendations and general enquiries.
Dates and locations are as follows:
Waikato - Friday 11th September 2020
Bottom of the North, Taikorea - Friday 18th September 2020
Bay of Plenty - Friday 25th September 2020
Northland - Friday 16th October 2020
Bottom of the South, Gore - Friday 6th November 2020
Canterbury - Thursday 12th November 2020
Top of the South, Nelson/Marlborough - Monday 16th November 2020
For more information or to register, please head here.
General Manager of YMNZ Alan Petrie says with all that is going on in the world this year, he is proud of Yamaha for bringing it back to “real grass roots.”
“This is what Kiwis do best. We love getting out and about camping and riding in the great outdoors. Our bLUcRU Kids Camps are very family-focused and that is an important emphasis for our brand - to involve parents and their children in shared riding experiences.”
“With the Off-Road Demos we are fortunate to have the support of Ben Townley. He is an ex-world champion and a super professional guy. With his involvement, it means our customers are getting the best opportunity to experience our bikes,” Petrie says.
Ténéré Tour 2020
The Ténéré Tour 2020 will take 40 riders on a three-day tour through the North Island’s Central Plateau from October 8 to 11, 2020.
Hosted by Townley’s 101 Adventures with him and Coppins heading along as guest riders, it will begin in Taupo and travel from coast to coast, mountains to the sea, and everything in between!
The all-inclusive nature of the tour means that all you need to worry about is getting you and your Ténéré bike to the start line.
For more information or to register, please head here.
Coppins wanted to thank the landowners and venues that have supported these three activations.
“We were fortunate to have had many relationships throughout New Zealand that we have developed with the Yamaha brand and our dealers over the years. We’ve had really great support from our dealer network and that’s important, as with these three initiatives, we want to give riders a positive, special Yamaha experience and our dealers will back up those experiences moving forward,” Coppins says.
- There may be some changes to the above activations due to Covid-19 restrictions, however they will be closely monitored and all parties involved will adhere to the Government’s guidelines throughout these events.
This summer Altherm JCR Yamaha is looking forward to the resumption of motocross racing.
The team consists of Hamilton MX1 rider Kayne Lamont and 2020 MX2 champion Maximus Purvis, of Mangakino.
The 2020 MX1 champion Australian Kirk Gibbs will return to the team, pending the New Zealand boarders opening.
2020/21 Racing calendar for Altherm JCR Yamaha
Taupo MX Fest – 24th & 25th October 2020
Whakatane SummerX – 27th & 28th December 2020
Woodville Grand Prix – 30th & 31st January 2021
2021 NZMX Championship
Dates and locations TBC
ALTHERM JCR YAMAHA WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:
Altherm Window Systems, JCR, Yamaha Motor New Zealand, Yamalube, GYTR, bLU cRU, YMF, YMI, Holland Collision Centre, Ward Demolition, Star Moving, Contract Consultants, Fox, Workshop Graphics, Akrapovic, Motoseat, Motomuck, Vertex Pistons, SKF, Renthal, DID Chains & Twin Air.