“The action packed racing at Calder provided a window into the future”, explained Gregoire Dupont, General Manager for BRP Asia-Pacific. “Can-Am stands for innovation and performance and we want to be pro-active by creating new opportunities for Australian powersport enthusiasts with our All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and SSV ranges”.

The Can-Am X-Team is spearheaded by former international rally champion Michael Guest and his co-driver David Green. When asked about the new SSV class, Guest commented; “What is really exciting is that the new SSV class opens the door to the ARC at a relatively modest budget. If you’ve dreamt about rallying, now is the time to get involved!”

Guest and Green triumphed over the stormy weather and tough course conditions at Calder Raceway to achieve a competitive showing, including a win in stage seven. Guest’s results in the utility focused Can-Am Commander, was all the more impressive as he was up against another well credentialed rival in multiple Australian Rally Champion, Cody Crocker, steering the pure race bred Polaris RZR.

The Can-Am Commander SSV is an absolutely reliable and versatile workhorse and by offering many utility focused features, it is an ideal option for getting work done in the paddock. Powered by a potent Rotax 1000 V-Twin and offering outstanding handling characteristics, the Can-Am Commander is also a blast to drive.

Round two of the ARC heads west to the Quit Forest Rally in Busselton Western Australia, held on the March 31st- April 1. Compared to the muddy and tight conditions of Calder, competitors will face longer and more open stages which will be a real test of team-work between driver and co-driver.

BRP welcomes parties who are interested in the prospect of participating in the ARC Side-by-Side Rally Challenge to contact BRP as soon as possible. BRP will provide Can-Am Commander teams with technical assistance in preparing their vehicle and the friendly Can-Am X-Team staff will be at all events providing logistical support.

About the Australian Side-by-Side Rally Challenge:

The new Side-by-Side class is a result of collaboration between BRP, a global powersports leader, with arch rival Polaris. The SSV class is a fantastic opportunity for powersport enthusiasts to be part of the professionalism of the Bosch Australian Rally Championship series, enabling teams to test their driving and co-driver skills in a selection of the nations biggest rally events. The investment to set-up a race-ready Can-Am Commander comes in at a fraction of the cost which would be typically associated with an ARC rally race budget, the speed, handling and off-road capability of the SSV vehicles are sure to offer competitors the maximum adrenalin rush.

The Bosch Australian Rally Championship series incorporates four rounds; competitors may choose to complete a single event or the entire series.

Round 1: March 2-4, Rally Calder Melbourne VIC.
Round 2: March 31 – April 1, Quit Forest Rally Busselton WA.
Round 3: May 26-27, International Rally Sunshine Coast QLD
Round 4: October 13-14, Coffs Coast Forest Rally NSW.

MCI is pleased to announce that the Riviera 50 has secured No.1 spot for 50cc scooter in Australia for the first quarter 2012 and second place over all. (FCAI) first quarter report.

We would like to thank all our clients for their support in helping us achieve this milestone!!~!

The power trim and tilt switch is now on the end of the handle grip, which enables users to control throttle and trim simultaneously plus there is now a throttle grip friction adjuster so that the sensitivity of the throttle can be changed to suit the user or the conditions.
 
The Suzuki engineers have also added a troll mode switch and indicator with tachometer so that tiller handle users can take advantage of the new Suzuki Troll Mode System. These changes have all been based on customer feedback, so once again, Suzuki has shown that it listens to boaters and delivers what they need.
 
The new tiller handle will be available to purchase later in 2012.
 
ENDS

New lightweight Suzuki DF20A/15A makes world debut.

Suzuki today announced the launch of two new fuel-efficient and high performance 4-stroke outboard motors – the all-new DF20A and the new generation DF15A.

These new models, made their world debut at the Düsseldorf Boat Show on the 21st January 2012, they are  the first in their class to feature battery-less Electronic Fuel Injection.

The new Electronic Fuel Injection system will also be combined with Suzuki’s Lean Burn Fuel Control system, which will result in a number of benefits for boaters such as; easier starts, more responsive acceleration, smoother performance and above all, greater fuel efficiency.

To achieve this, Suzuki engineers have designed a completely new fuel injection system for these models, which includes; an inline high-pressure fuel pump, a throttle body and small fuel cooler, vapor separator and fuel injector. By designing these component parts to be smaller than those used on larger Electronic Fuel Injection engines (DF40-DF300) the overall weight of these new models has also been kept as low as possible.

According to Suzuki’s internal testing, this means that at just 44kg the new models will be the lightest and most compact outboards in their class.

The compact size and light weight of the new DF20A and DF15A make them an ideal power match for a wide variety of boats, including; small RIBs and tenders, day boats for in-land waterways and small fishing boats to name but a few. In particular these new outboards will be ideal for entry level boating.

Greg Haines, from Suzuki Marine, said “We are delighted to be able to bring these two new models to the market. They are an excellent addition to our existing range of portable outboards and by making them more lightweight and fuel-efficient than our competitors’ I am confident that they will be extremely popular with boaters all over Australia and New Zealand.”

The new Suzuki DF20A and DF15A will be available in the winter of 2012.

Suzuki has taken the lead once again in pioneering cutting edge outboard motor technology with the introduction of Suzuki Selective Rotation.  
 
When installing two or more outboards to the transom of a boat a combination of regular rotation and counter rotation units is normally used, which currently means using two separate outboard models – a regular rotation model and a counter rotation model.

Now, in a move that will please customers, dealers and boat builders Suzuki has announced the introduction of Suzuki Selective Rotation.  This means that one outboard model can operate in either regular or counter rotation modes.

For those not familiar with the reason for a counter rotating model the reasoning is simple.  In most applications when a boat requires twin engines to power and push it, the port side engine must use a counter rotation lower unit (often referred to just as gearbox) and the starboard engine uses a normal clockwise rotation lower unit.  In a twin engine application this must be done so that the propellers are spinning in different directions. The reason for this is:

-        Less ‘dirty’ water being drawn from each propeller causing ventilation (air around the blade area).

-        Reduces the tendency for a boat to list to the starboard due to propeller torque pushing it that way.

-        Enables larger boats to manoeuvre at low speed for docking.

-        Reduces the harmonics and transfer of hull vibration and noise in the boat.

The negatives of having a counter rotation engine is: 

-        The resale value of a counter rotating model engine is far lower than a normal engine.

-        Customers do not like purchasing a single counter rotation engine for their boat.

The new Suzuki DF300AP is the first outboard or stern drive leg in the world which can operate in either forward (clockwise) or reverse (anti clockwise) direction.  This type of lower unit will eventually be available in smaller horse power models in the future.

This technology will first be introduced on the new DF300AP. In its standard form, this new model will operate in regular clockwise rotation, using the forward gear. Now, by changing the gear-shift mode and adding a counter rotational propeller, the same outboard can operate in counter rotation mode (anti-clockwise).
 
In counter rotation mode the power is transmitted through the reverse gear, which has been upgraded and improved to give it the same characteristics as the forward gears. In fact, the specifications and materials used for forward and reverse gears have both been optimised, as well as improving the layout of the bearings.

In order to accommodate the new gear system and taking the opportunity to add even more new features to the new DF300AP, the Suzuki engineers have also re-designed the gear case.
 
By using accumulated fluid analysis technology the new gear case has been designed to provide reduced resistance and improved durability. At the same time, a structural analysis was carried out in order to optimise each and every component.  However, the Suzuki engineers did not stop there with the improvements. The new DF300AP has been designed with two water intakes on each side of the gear case – the current DF300 has just one on each side. The additional water intakes ensure stable cooling performance at high speeds and also during operation in shallow water.
 
Ultimately, by eliminating the differences in specification between regular and counter rotation models, Suzuki has achieved what no other outboard manufacturer has been able to do – unification of both regular rotation and counter rotation operations into a single outboard model.

The DF300AP will be available in Australia and New Zealand in March 2012.

As part of our efforts to keep things fresh the team at Millard Marine are always on the look out for new products & services for the benefit of our loyal clientelle.

As such we are extremely proud to announce that we are a newly appointed Barcrusher aluminium & Seafarer fibreglass agent for the Southwest. Seafarers new range will be re launched in coming weeks & includes a combination from the best selling Haines Traveller & Sea farer boats.

Please understand that even though the new Millard Marine & Motorcycle Centre is always looking at ways to improve & move forward we also understand that we wouldn’t be here today without the loyal support of you our clients.

As such we still have a full commitment to all your servicing & genuine parts requirements . Whether you’re still running your old faithful Johnson outboard or Your Yamaha outboard we have the trained technicians ,diagnostic tools & stock to keep you on the water.

Rod V