With its very essence symbolized by three tuning forks arranged in a circle, no other company understands the “power of three” more than Yamaha. And, this year, Yamaha is ready to put the power of three—and the power of the YZF-R6®—to the fresh, new pavement at Daytona International Speedway as it goes for a three-peat in the famed Daytona 200.
Yamaha definitely knows a little something about repeated victories at the World Center of Racing, having won an unprecedented, unbeaten string of 13 Daytona 200 victories.
Last year’s Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin, this year aboard the brand-new Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha YZF-R6, is fit and ready to go for back-to-back wins in The Great American Motorcycle Race, which would bring Yamaha’s overall record of Daytona 200 victories to a lucky 21.
This year’s Daytona 200 returns to daytime, with the 57-lap event set to go green on Saturday, March 12 at 1:15 PM.
And, speaking of repeats and titles, Yamaha’s other Josh, Monster Energy/Graves Yamaha rider Josh Hayes, will begin his defense of the AMA American SuperBike Championship that he captured aboard his YZF-R1® last season.
SuperBike Race 1 will take place on Friday, March 11 at 4:30 PM, and Race 2 is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 at 11:15 AM.
The Yamaha Racers.
From roadracing, to supercross, and even to freestyle, Yamaha will be well-represented in competition, with motorcycles and riders poised to compete and win in several disciplines.
On The High Banks.
In addition to defending Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin, several other Yamaha riders are also ready to do battle against Josh in the Daytona 200, including Tommy Aquino aboard a Yamaha Extended Service/ Pat Clark Sports/Graves Yamaha R6; Team LTD Yamaha Extended Service Racing’s Huntley Nash, who is also Yamaha R6-mounted; and Melissa Paris on her HT Moto-sponsored Yamaha R6.
Speaking of Melissa, she will be expertly shaded by her “umbrella man,” none other than MMA/UFC Champion Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez on the starting grid just prior to the Daytona 200. By the way, Sanchez will be spending a majority of his Daytona Bike Week in the Yamaha display and demo area, so be sure to stop by to meet him.
Joining Melissa’s AMA SuperBike-title-winning-husband Josh Hayes in the two SuperBike races at Daytona is Chris Clark on his Yamaha Extended Service/ Pat Clark Sports/Graves Yamaha R1.
Like the Daytona 200 itself, Yamaha is also looking to repeat its victories from last year’s two Daytona SuperSport races, where Yamaha R6’s dominated the field. Team LTD / Yamaha Extended Service Racing riders Tomas Puerta and David Gaviria will both be aboard the SuperSport Championship-winning Yamaha R6.
On The Dirt.
After an eventful race at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Team San Manuel Red Bull Yamaha rider James Stewart is highly motivated to make his return to the Daytona Supercross, especially after missing last year’s event due to injury. Stewart is currently 10 points off the championship lead and looking to put his YZ450F in the Daytona winner’s circle. Joining Stewart are teammate Kyle Regal, Muscle Milk/Toyota/JGRMX riders Justin Brayton and Davi Millsaps, and Valli Motorsports rider Nick Wey. Also, Star/DNA Shred Stix rider Ryan Sipes and teammate Gannon Audette will be aboard a Yamaha YZ250F in Supercross Lites East competition.
The Daytona Supercross and Supercross Lites are this Saturday night, March 5.
To The Extreme.
The XDL Championship will launch its 2011 season at Daytona on March 9-12 as two-time Sportbike Freestyle Champion and Yamaha rider Bill Dixon will also be going for a three-peat in defense of his crown.
Along with competing aboard his YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 sportbikes, Bill will also display his amazing talents in a freestyle show aboard the brand-new Yamaha FZ8®. When you get to the track, be sure to check in at the Yamaha display for more information about this special show.
The Events.
Along with all the racing events at Daytona, Yamaha will also have displays and demos of the 2011 Yamaha and Star models, including the brand-new Stryker®.
To demo a bike, be at the display Saturday, March 5 through Friday, March 11 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You’ll need a valid motorcycle license (permits are not allowed), a DOT-approved helmet, long pants, enclosed shoes, a shirt, and eye protection to take your ride. Yamaha Genuine Parts & Accessories will be on sale during display and demo hours.
Additional Yamaha activities scheduled at Daytona include an autograph session with the roadracing team on Friday afternoon, March 11, from 2:30-3:15 PM at the Yamaha display. On Saturday morning, March 12, beginning at 8:30 AM at the Yamaha display right at the track, Yamaha will host the Star Touring and Riding Association for a Star Owners Pancake Breakfast where Yamaha executives will be doing the cooking. If you’re a Star Owner, don’t miss it.
Finally, on Thursday afternoon, March 10th from 6-8PM, Star Motorcycles will also be sponsoring a special meet-and-greet event at Hooter’s across from the track with MMA/UFC competitors Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez and Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard, along with Playboy Playmate Charis B.
