Cypress, CA – September 25, 2013 – The road racing season reaches its exciting conclusion this weekend as the Yamaha U.S Road Racing SuperBike and Daytona SportBike teams make a return visit to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to compete on the global stage during the World Superbike Weekend. With one race left in the SuperBike and Daytona SportBike classes, there is still much at stake for the Yamaha riders.
MONSTER ENERGY/GRAVES/YAMAHA: HERRIN & HAYES
Leading the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship, and poised to win the first professional road racing title of his career, is the rider of the #2 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 Josh Herrin. Coming into Laguna Seca, Herrin leads the Championship by 22 points over his teammate and three-time defending AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champ Josh Hayes. In order to win the 2013 SuperBike title, Herrin–who has four SuperBike wins and 13 top-five finishes this season–needs to finish 10th or better in Sunday’s final race of the season
But, if we’ve learned anything from this unpredictable SuperBike season, it’s that anything can happen. Herrin won’t take Hayes for granted, as Hayes tries to earn his eighth-consecutive pole position for a perfect qualifying record on the season. He’ll also be trying to win his eighth SuperBike race this year.
At the Yamaha SuperBike team’s last visit to Laguna Seca this past July, Hayes and Herrin qualified first and third, respectively, and then Hayes won the race, while Herrin finished second.
Sunday’s season-concluding SuperBike race is scheduled for 10:40 AM PT.
YAMAHA EXTENDED SERVICE/MONSTER ENERGY/GRAVES/YAMAHA: BEAUBIER & GERLOFF
In the AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike class, Cameron Beaubier, rider of the #6 Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6, clinched his first professional championship–and Yamaha’s first DSB title–a little less than two weeks ago at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Cameron has won all but one DSB race this season, and he’d like nothing better than to get his 12th win of the year in front of all his family and friends who’ll be traveling from nearby Roseville, CA, to support Cameron. He’d also like to earn his eighth pole position of the season as well, which would give him a perfect qualifying record in 2013. This past July, Cameron broke the track record at Laguna Seca, so look for the newly crowned champ to try to go even faster this weekend.
Garrett Gerloff, rider of the #8 Y.E.S./Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R6 and Cameron’s teammate, will be trying hard to get the race win that, thus far, has eluded him this season. Garrett has finished second to Cameron five times this year, so he’d like nothing better than to beat his teammate in Sunday’s final race. Currently sitting in third place in the Championship points standings, Garrett has a good shot to move into second with a good result this weekend.
At the Yamaha DSB team’s last visit to Laguna Seca this past July, Cameron and Garrett qualified first and second, respectively, and then Cameron won the race, while Garrett finished second.
The final DSB race of the 2013 season will go green on Sunday at 9:30 AM PT.
VISIT THE YAMAHA MARKETPLACE AND DEMO A 2014 FZ-09
The highly popular Yamaha Marketplace, which is located in the track infield between turns 5 and 6 at the Raceway, is back for this weekend, and it’ll be open on Friday, September 27 from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM; on Saturday, September 28 from 8:30 AM to 5 PM; and on Sunday, September 29 from 8 AM to 3:30 PM.
You’ll be able to take a demo ride aboard the all-new 2014 Yamaha FZ-09 three-cylinder Super Sport bike. Demo rides will take place at the Yamaha Marketplace on Friday, September 27 from 9 AM to 5:30 PM; on September 28 from 9 AM to 4 PM; and on Sunday, September 29 from 9 AM to 1 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.
MEET THE YAMAHA U.S. ROAD RACERS
On Saturday morning, from 10:15 to 11 AM in the Yamaha Marketplace, come and say hello to Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin, Cameron Beaubier, and Garrett Gerloff as they greet fans and sign autographs. They’ll be joined by Foremost Insurance/Pegram Racing Yamaha R1 SuperBike rider Larry Pegram, Meen Motorsports Yamaha R6 riders Jake Lewis, Wyatt Farris, and Hayden Gillim, along with RoadRace Factory Yamaha R6 riders Jake Gagne, J.D. Beach, and Tomas Puerta. And, of course, the Monster Energy and Yamaha Extended Service Umbrella Girls will be there, as well.
Also, on Sunday afternoon from 12:15 to 1:10 PM, Josh Hayes, Josh Herrin, Cameron Beaubier, and Garrett Gerloff will be greeting fans and signing autographs in the paddock at the Yamaha teams’ transporters. The R1 SuperBikes and R6 Daytona SportBikes will be on display, and the Monster Energy and Yamaha Extended Service Umbrella Girls will be there, too
