Lewry to join Ballards Motorex Yamaha

Shannon Lewry to join Ballards Off Road lineup in 2007

8/12/2006

Ballards Motorex Yamaha is set to enjoy another immensely successful year in 2007, with the confirmation today of a top-notch rider lineup to contest the Yamaha Australian Off Road Series and other endurance events.The factory-backed operation, run by a name synomymous with dirt bike success, Geoff Ballard, took an impressive 4 class wins this year, and is confident of backing up and delivering another strong run of results.

Ballard crushed his opposition in the Clubman Masters class, with riders Chris Hollis, Jason Cater and Alison Parker also adding class titles to the team's ever expanding trophy cabinet. 

They will return to the front line of defence for Yamaha in 2007, joined also by Jarrod Bewley and Josh Ballard, two riders to watch as they hit their stride in the new year."We are pleased to retain our strong-performing squad from 2006 and look forward to an even better year across in the national series and individual events," said Ballard."It has been a fantastic year for us, with Chris, Alison and Jason all taking class wins, but I believe the new year will allow some really good performances from our young guns Josh (Ballard) and Jarrod (Bewley) also."

"Every one of our riders contributes a great team effort each time they go racing and work very hard before and after every round to maintain their race fitness, this is a very commited team and its a delight to work with them."

"The Yamaha range of WR250F and WR450F machines are the perfect match for us, with power and reliability always important, they never miss a beat."

A new addition to the team will be 24-year-old Shannon Lewry, an experienced campaigner who placed third in the E1 class in 2006.

Riding enduro competitively from the young age of 15, Lewry has a wealth of knowledge in the popular discipline and is enthusiastic to be joining the Ballards Yamaha Motorex squad for what looks to be a very competitive year in 2007.

"The team is always considered as a very fast group of riders and I am very happy to be able to join with them for the new year, Ballards Yamaha Motorex is a perfect environment for me to chase some top results in E2," said Lewry. "Geoff approached me to join the team towards the end of this year, and it was a fantastic opportunity I could not turn down.""He knows everything there is to know about this sport and I believe I'll be able to learn alot from him in 2007, as well as from my teammates."

"My immediate focus is to record consistent top finishes and aim for a class title, with the larger goal of Australian Off Road Series champ there also."

Yamaha is the current Australian Off Road Series' primary sponsor and has contributed immensely to the discipline's rapid growth as a competitive sport.