Canadian-manufactured exotic car approved for sale
BY AMANDA STEPHENSON, CALGARY HERALD
CALGARY - Wayne Leong is one of only four Albertans who owns a
T-Rex, but that could change now that the Canadian-made vehicle can
be legally driven on the province's roads.
"I'm sure there'll be more and more interest," said Leong, who
was showing off his own T-Rex on Monday at his business, Calgary's
Melrose Cafe and Bar. "I'm a car and a motorcycle enthusiast, and
this thing is a cross between both of them. I thought it would be a
ton of fun, and it is."
Manufactured by Montreal-based company Campagna Motors, the
T-Rex is a high-performance, three-wheel vehicle powered by a
Kawasaki 1.4-L engine.
Though the vehicle has been meeting Transport Canada's safety
requirements since 2006, it wasn't until the summer of 2011 that
the Alberta government began allowing owners to register them to
drive on the province's roadways.
With that regulatory hurdle cleared, Campagna Motors now views
Alberta as a wide-open market. For that reason, the company's
director of sales and marketing, Michel Paquette, is in Calgary
until mid-week.
"First, it's about getting the word out," Paquette said.
"Second, we're hoping some people come out and take pictures and
video shots or whatever, and then on Wednesday I'll be visiting
some dealers around here."
Paquette acknowledged, however, that the T-Rex is still a
limited edition vehicle. While it can be licensed in every Canadian
province but Ontario and Nova Scotia, and all but three U.S.
states, Campagna has still sold just 1,300 of the vehicles since it
began making them 17 years ago.
Paquette said the T-Rex is most likely to appeal to baby boomers
who are fascinated by the motorcycle culture, and attracted to the
vehicle's exotic race car looks and side-by-side seating. And, of
course, they have to have money: the T-Rex starts at $56,000 and
can go up to $64,000.
"Wherever you have people that have disposable income, that's
our market," Paquette said, "because this is not a rational
purchase, obviously. It's just pure emotion."
Rationality aside, Leong said the T-Rex is simply a blast to
drive.
"It handles extremely well. It's an exotic car, but it's also
like a race car because your open wheels are exposed and the fresh
air's blowing in your face," he said.
And then there's the oddity factor. Leong admits he gets a few
looks when he and the T-Rex hit the open road, and Paquette said
that's to be expected.
"One of the jokes we have is that when you drive one of these,
it will take you an hour to put gas in it. Not because it takes an
hour, but because people will stop you, they'll take pictures,
they'll ask questions," Paquette said.
Leong's T-Rex will be on display at Melrose Cafe and Bar until
Wednesday.
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THE MIRAGE HOTEL & CASINO SHOWCASES V13R ROADSTER ON
GAMING FLOOR
BOUCHERVILLE, January 5, 2012 - Following
the recent display of the Campagna Motors' T-REX in the
Excalibur Hotel & Casino, it is now the chance for the V13R to
take over the famous Las Vegas Strip. This new roadster vehicle,
built by Campagna Motors, is now showcased as a top attraction on
the main floor of The Mirage Hotel & Casino. Surrounded by 14
slot machines, the vehicle is placed on a platform and features
four large screens that feature videos and pictures of the
V13R.
A ONE OF A KIND ROADSTER
"Showcasing the V13R in The Mirage Hotel & Casino will
provide an excellent visibility for our products," explains
David Neault, Vice-President at Campagna Motors. "The V13R
prototype was first introduced in 2007 at SEMA in Las Vegas and
this ultimate roadster has been in the works for the past five
years."
This vehicle addresses the baby boomer demographics segment and
its unique style will appeal to unique riders. Using an
All-American Harley-DavidsonTM V-Twin liquid-cooled motorcycle
engine and reminiscing the past era with its Hot Rod looks, the
V13R is designed to be a very comfortable vehicle for a
side-by-side escapade.
"We are very excited to partner with Campagna Motors
and to feature the V13R as a prize in our casino," state Rick
Hutchins, Vice-President of Slot Operations at The Mirage Hotel
& Casino. "We continue to look for opportunities that offer
our guests fun and exciting jackpot prizes and the craftsmanship
and quality of the V13R is amazing. This roadster will certainly
attract current and new players."
UNIQUE AND EXCLUSIVE VEHICLE
Since their inception, Campagna Motors' vehicles have generated
tremendous interest from many celebrities including Justin Bieber,
Antwaan Randel El from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Rob Dyrdek from
the Fantasy Factory. Some vehicles were featured in Black Eyed
Peas' video Imma Be, in the Mindfreak
6 television show featuring Criss Angel and
in CSI: New York episode featuring Danica
Patrick.
ABOUT CAMPAGNA MOTORS
Campagna Motors is an innovative vehicle manufacturer based on
the South Shore of Montréal, Canada. The company designs,
hand-builds and distributes powerful, stylish, innovative and
unique reverse trikes. Campagna Motors is a worldwide leader in
reverse trike since 1988. For more information, please
visit www.CampagnaMotors.com or go to the
company Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CampagnaMotors).
ABOUT THE MIRAGE
Ideally located in the center of the famed Las Vegas Strip, The
Mirage is the place to stay and play. The resort features
contemporary AAA Four Diamond accommodations, dynamic nightlife
including 1 OAK and The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge, tantalizing
restaurants created by the world's most acclaimed designers and
renowned chefs, a salon from celebrity stylist Kim Vō, the enticing
Bare pool lounge, and 170,000 square feet of meeting and convention
space. Unique entertainment options include The Beatles™
LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil® celebrating the musical legacy of The
Beatles, Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert, and the lush animal
sanctuary of Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin
Habitat. From the iconic Volcano and 20,000-gallon lobby
aquarium to the lush tropical atrium and pool, guests experience an
exotic world-class destination unlike any other. The Mirage is a
wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International™ (NYSE: MGM).
For more information and reservations, visit www.mirage.com,
call toll free at (800) 374-9000 or find us on Facebook and
Twitter.
