PRESS RELEASE:

ZERO'S STREET-LEGAL ELECTRIC BIKES IN OZ

Zero Motorcycles has announced the arrival of its popular Zero S and DS electric motorcycles in Australia. This makes Zero the first company to offer a street-legal electric motorcycle for sale in Australia. As a result, motorcyclists across the country who have been waiting to receive or purchase a street-legal electric motorcycle can now buy a Zero. The addition of the Zero S and DS to its Australian product offerings means that Zero’s entire electric motorcycle line is now available in Australia.

"The arrival of our Zero S and DS in Australia allows motorcyclists to experience and purchase a street legal electric motorcycle for the first time" said John Lloyd, VP of Worldwide Sales for Zero Motorcycles.

"Off-road enthusiasts have been enjoying the Zero X and MX over the last year. We’re excited to be growing our product offerings in Australia and look forward to continuing to expand our presence throughout the region."

"Australians have been thinking that electric motorcycles are years away from being seen on the roads. We are extremely pleased to announce that today, and for the first time ever, street-legal electric motorcycles are available in the Australian market" said Phil Wilkinson, Director of Zero Motorcycles Australia. "From the response we’re getting, Australians can expect to see many Zeros on the road in the months to come."

Built from the ground up using Zero Motorcycles' proprietary Z-Force power pack and aircraft grade alloy frame, Zero achieves an industry leading power-to-weight ratio that increases range and maneuverability. The Zero S and DS have a range of up to 50 miles (80 km) and are highway legal. Each model combines state-of-the-art Z-Force™ technology with an ultra-light frame design to make them agile and fast where it counts. Characterized by instant acceleration and lightweight design Zero’s product line allows riders to take on anything from city streets to off-road trails.

ABOUT ZERO MOTORCYCLES: Zero Motorcycles is the next step in motorcycle evolution and represents the ultimate electric motorcycle technology. Unencumbered by conventional thinking about how they design, manufacture, and sell high performance electric motorcycles, they are on a mission to turn heads and revolutionize their industry by combining the best aspects of a traditional motorcycle with today’s most advanced technology.

For further information about Zero Motorcycles in Australia:

Call: (03) 9874 2504 or visit www.zeromotorcycles.com.au

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

2010 AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE EXPO MELBOURNE

Big crowds always make for good times and last weekend's Australian Motorcycle Expo in Melbourne was a successful one for TRAIL ZONE, with hundreds of subscribers signing up for the mag and taking their shot in our mighty Choose Your Ride promotion where one lucky subscriber will win his/her choice of seven brand new dirt bikes.

We ramped it up at the Expo this year, taking out our biggest stand ever so that we could feature not only our seven prize bikes -- which includes BMW's G 450 X, Husaberg's TE300, Husqvarna's TE310, Kawasaki KLX450R, KTM's 200 EXC, Suzuki's DR650SE and Yamaha's WR450F -- but also our latest Yamaha XT660Z Tenere and Suzuki DR650SE Project Bikes.

The crowds through the Expo hall were solid all weekend, however on Sunday things went gangbusters and we were literally run off our feet packing more showbags on the fly and signing up subscribers.

It was great to catch up with so many fans of the mag, so thanks to everyone who dropped in and said g'day ... and best of luck to everyone who subscribed when the Choose Your Ride draw goes off on February 25, 2011!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

TRAIL ZONE ISSUE #33 COMING SOON!

Double woo hoo! Our next issue of TRAIL ZONE (#33) is rolling off the presses as we type ... which is just in the nick of time as we're loading up the TRAIL ZONE transporter right now and will soon be hitting the highway south to Melbourne for this weekend's Australian Motorcycle Expo.

We've got a bigger than ever TRAIL ZONE display at the Expo this year, so if you're coming to the show, make sure you drop by and say g'day to all the TZ team at the TZ stand (#189).

You can also score the new issue of the mag when you sign up for a subscription and go in the draw to Choose Your Ride ... because one lucky subscriber will be drawn at random in the new year to win his/her choice of a new BMW G 450 X or Husaberg TE300 or Husqvarna TE310 or Kawasaki KLX450R or KTM 200 EXC or Suzuki DR650SE or Yamaha WR450F.

We'll also have the full range of TRAIL ZONE merchandise up for sale, as well as all our back issues of the mag, so if you need any of our goodies, the Expo is the place to get 'em.

We'll also have our current Suzuki DR650SE and Yamaha XT660Z Tenere Project Bikes on display, plus we'll have details of our fast approaching Tenere Tragics Run to the Rocks ride -- so if you want in on that, come and see us for more info. We've already filled 40 of the 50 places available on the Tragics ride, which tells you just how many Tenere Tragics (like me!) are out there ...

In the meantime, this van isn't going to load itself, so we're outta here -- see you at the Expo!

PS: And then when we get back, the subscriber copies of the new issue of TZ go in the mail next week, and then the mag hits the newsagents the week after that -- enjoy!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

TRAIL BOSS BLOG:

IN THE ZONE: EPISODE 4 DVD COMING SOON!

Woo hoo, the courier just turned up and unloaded a whopping big box at TRAIL ZONE HQ -- and it's the advance copies of our latest IN THE ZONE: EPISODE 4 DVD that comes bundled up with our January/February 2011 issue of TRAIL ZONE that is at the printers right now.

Our new IN THE ZONE DVD is another cracker, that's seen Russ in the editing suite for the last 29 days straight -- and he only came out for toasted focaccias and visits to the 'little suite' at ORE HQ for number ones and number twos.

Now that it's all said and done, Russ has done another ripper job and has polished the rough diamonds that are mine, Popgun and his heads into veritable cinematic jewels to deliver and an 80-minute package that literally is TRAIL ZONE on TV.

If you've liked our previous three annual IN THE ZONE DVDs, then you're going to be on the edge of your seat for this one.

IN THE ZONE: EPISODE 4 is sponsored by AdventureMoto.com.au and features coverage of our recent Hattah desert ride, epic adventure ride to Birdsville, Club Y trail rides in the NSW Blue Mountains and the Queensland Sunshine coast and a trip down memory lane at Suzuki Classic Dirt 7 at Conondale. In amongst all that, Dr Phil dishes up a stack of solid tech tips in the ORE Garage as well.

TRAIL ZONE issue #33 will be packaged with our IN THE ZONE: EPISODE 4 DVD and it will be going out to subscribers next week, and will then be on-sale in newsagents the week after that.

But if you want to get the holeshot and get our next mag and DVD ASAP, then drop in at the Australian Motorcycle Expo in Melbourne this Friday/Saturday or Sunday, as we'll have advance copies there (see www.motorcycleshow.com.au for event info).

Just sign up for a TRAIL ZONE subscription and you'll get the new issue and DVD right there and then, plus you'll go in the draw to Choose Your Ride and have a chance at winning a brand new BMW G 450 X or Husaberg TE300 or Husqvarna TE310 or Kawasaki KLX450R or KTM 200EXC or Suzuki DR650SE or Yamaha WR450F!

So drop in at the TRAIL ZONE stand and we'll see you there!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

TRAIL MAIL:

'PLUGGING' A BUSTED BRAKE LEVER

Hi guys: Thought you might like this story and photo. My mate busted his front brake lever (and wasn't carrying a spare) in the middle of the Gheerulla trailbike area near Mapleton in Queensland. Out come my MacGyver skills and my trusty DR650 spark plug spanner to the rescue ... For the record we rode another 250-plus kilometres with his 'new lever'. It seems there really is nothing you can't do with a DR650! I reckon you should have a new section in the mag just for this sort of stuff.
-- Chris, via www.trailzone.com.au

Great salvage job there, Chris. And you're right, we love these kinds of trailside tricks that help get you and your mates home again when bikes get busted. Back in TRAIL ZONE issue #23 we ran a chunky story called '101 Trail Tips' that was filled with tricks and tips just like this -- it might be time for us to have a look at some more cheap tricks in coming issues? Thanks for the thought.

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

PRESS RELEASE:

IVAN CERVANTES SPRINGS GAS GAS SURPRISE!

Gas Gas has scored a real coup in the build-up to next year's FIM World Enduro Championship, by snaring the signature of longtime Team KTM racer Ivan Cervantes to race for the Spanish brand.

Here's the news:

Ivan Cervantes, five times world indoor enduro champion, has signed to ride in the Spanish and World Enduro Championships during the next three seasons and also assist in development of new products related to his specialty, enduro.

Both Ivan and the CEO of Gas Gas Motos, Ramon Puente (pictured), were especially pleased and excited about the new challenge presented to them.

Mr Puente said: "After overcoming some difficult years, the arrival of a rider of this kind has been a big boost to Gas Gas, and also Gas Gas fans. Ivan will contest the E2 class aboard an EC250 and also work with the R&D department with the development of new products for the future. Ivan's appearance at the recent Mlian Motorcycle show was a great way to release the 2011 range of Gas Gas bikes and show that Gas Gas is serious about its commitment to racing and future products."

Ivan Cervantes said: “After winning five world championships I'm very excited to now have the opportunity to win many more titles but this time with Gas Gas. The truth is that the treatment and commitment Gas Gas has given me is incredible and Gas Gas only see the vision and desire to win and build the world’s best off-road motorcycles. I am convinced we can do great things together, but I know we have to work hard and we can only do our best."

PRESS RELEASE:

HOLLIS BACK IN OZ IN 2011 WITH BALLARD'S YAMAHA TEAM

Former Yamaha Australian Off-Road Champion, Chris Hollis (pictured), will be back on home soil next season campaigning for outright victory as part of the Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha Off-Road Team.

Another bright, young addition to the squad will be Tasmanian Matthew Phillips, who will contest the 2011 AORC and Mackay Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE) in the Championship E3 Class, aboard the big-bore YZ450F (YZ475).

Five-time world champion, Stefan Merriman, returns to the outfit for 2011, with fresh hopes for victory aboard a Yamaha 250F in Championship E1.

Team manager, Geoff Ballard, said the full line-up would again include himself (five-time AORC Masters Champ) as well as reigning AORC and A4DE Women’s victor, Jessica Gardiner, a ‘mystery’ Swedish rider with the surname: Granquist, and son, Josh.

“Honestly, I believe we can win all the championship classes [E1, E2, E3, master’s and women’s] with the team we’ve got for next year,’ Ballard said. “We’ve got some great talent and with the new additions, we’ll be firing on all cylinders, that’s for sure.

“Chris feels he can match the speed of (current AORC and A4DE champ) Toby Price and is looking good on the bike. He’s been testing at our facility the last two days on the WR450F and YZ450F and you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. He’s a fun guy to be around and we’re really happy to welcome him back to the team. Chris became the first rider in history to win the AORC and A4DE in the same year: in 2008, as a member of the Ballard’s Wellard Yamaha team, aboard a WR450F, however injury plagued his efforts in Europe this year, but he has recovered and is fit, healthy and back on form.”

Hollis, 26, from Port Macquarie (NSW), said he was “over the moon” to be back on Yamaha and would be giving it his all to take home another ‘dirty double’ (AORC and A4DE outright wins) next season.

Ballard said the team was also “very excited” to welcome rising star, Matt Phillips (from Wynyard on Tasmania’s north-west coast). At just 17-years-of-age, Phillips will be one of the youngest in the championship ranks.

“He’ll also be one of the fastest and a force to be reckoned with on the YZ475,” Ballard said. “Matt burst onto the enduro scene at the Four Day this year, where he was top-three Outright in a few special tests and ended up finishing a commendable eighth Outright. For such a young rider, Matt has shown incredible character and sportsmanship and above all, speed and ability.”

Phillips will have one experienced team-mate in particular to look up to, with Australian number two (for off-road and enduro), Stefan Merriman, back in blue for 2011. The 37-year-old from Nelson Bay (NSW) said he was looking forward to the change of machine and would be aiming to better his number two ranking.

The team will also have an exotic twist with the addition of Sweden motocross rider, Stefan Granquist -- son of racing legend Pelle Granquist -- who will be trying his hand at enduro on a WR450F in the Expert E2/3 Class.

Also vying for championship class crowns will be Yamaha Motor Australia riders Kirk Hutton (from Brisbane) and Tom McCormack (Byron Bay). Hutton and McCormack both plan to ride YZ250Fs in national meetings and YZ450Fs in state events. Hutton, 37, will be looking to add to his four Australian and 10 Queensland Enduro titles and said he was “thrilled” to continue his decade-long partnership with Yamaha.

A calendar for the 2011 AORC has yet to be finalised, however the 2011 A4DE is being held near Mackay (Queensland) from April 20th to 23rd (www.a4de.com).

For more information on Ballard’s Off-Road, please visit www.ballards.cc For more information on Yamaha, please visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au