Crossing the Australian Continent by Raptor

Each state and many councils had there own specific regulations to obtain the permits. New South Wales and Northern Territory had limited the speed of the ATV's to 50Km per hour regardless of the roads signposted speed limit. New South Wales required escort vehicles front and rear of the ATV's while all other states only required one escort vehicle. Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia required the escort vehicle to travel behind the ATV's while South Australia required the escort vehicle in front of the ATV's.

As part of the approvals the ATV's had to be set up with indicators, mirrors, brake lights, headlight and tail lights as well as a flashing yellow light. The escort vehicle was also required to be fitted with a yellow flashing light as well as signs warning other motorists that the ATV's were using the road.

Securing the Deal

Initial planning was looking like the world record attempt was going to be possible so it was now time to arrange sponsorship to help pay for the trip and to raise money for the Variety Club Children's Charity. All major ATV manufactures were approached with Yamaha being the first to make an offer. They were about to release the all new fuel injected Raptor 700 into the country and what better way to prove its potential then by giving the crew a couple of them to traverse the continent from East to West.

Yamaha also come to the party supplying riding gear through Ficeda, an account for spares and consumables as well as 24hour technical support should it be required. Many thanks to Steven Cotterell and Cheryl Muldoon from Yamaha who spent hours with Matt Brown and Ross Ledger to secure the deal. Also thanks to Lyndon Heffernan from Detour Trail Tours for your help in securing the 700 Raptors for the record attempt.

Other Major sponsors include

Kenda Tyres, Pirelli, North Coast Jetski’s, Pro Yamaha, Whitemans Motorcycles - Bathurst, Telstra, Ride on Motorcycles – Byron Bay, and many others who all helped to support the Variety Clubs Appeal.

Testing the new 700s

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