Cypress, CA – January 8, 2015 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, is proud to introduce the teams and riders that will be competing aboard Yamaha motorcycles during the upcoming inaugural MotoAmerica season. In addition, the highly popular Yamaha Road Racing Contingency Program is now part of Yamaha’s bLU cRU family, and for 2015, the Program has been increased by more than $175,000 in available winnings. The announcements were made by Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
“Yamaha is excited about the new MotoAmerica series, and we’ve got a great lineup of teams and riders who will be competing aboard the Yamaha YZF-R6 and brand-new Yamaha YZF-R1 in 2015,” commented McCarty. “We’re also pleased to expand our bLU cRU Program to include road racing. The bLU cRUU has been a big success in motocross racing, and we’re looking forward to supporting bLU cRU road racers in 2015 and beyond.”
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha
Returning once again as title sponsor of the Superbike team, and beginning a new, two-year agreement with Yamaha U.S., is Monster Energy. McCarty said, “We’ve had a very successful partnership with Monster Energy over the past several years, and we’re thrilled that they are continuing as title sponsor of our Superbike team. Monster is a premier brand in the energy drink market that aligns perfectly with Yamaha. Together, Monster Energy and Yamaha have shared four AMA Pro SuperBike Championships. We’re looking forward to even greater success as we begin this renewed relationship with Monster Energy. We’re also happy to have UPS, Yamalube, and Yamaha Generators back as team sponsors and partners for 2015.”
Four-time and defending AMA SuperBike Champion, as well as 2014 Superbike Shootout Series Pro Superbike Champion, Josh Hayes will carry his #1 plate into the new MotoAmerica series where he will compete in Superbike aboard the brand-new R1. Josh is excited to race the new bike, especially since he and MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi worked with the Yamaha factory to test and develop the bike.
“The 2015 Yamaha R1 is THE bike to be on,” said Josh. “As dominant as the previous-generation R1 was here in America–winning five straight AMA SuperBike Championships–this new R1 is really going to be something. I’m looking forward to this season and especially to debuting the bike (at the Circuit of the Americas) in Austin.”
Also excited to be racing the brand-new Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1 Superbike in MotoAmerica is Cameron Beaubier, who was the 2013 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion and winner of three AMA Pro SuperBike races, seven podiums, and two poles in his rookie season last year.
Look for Josh and Cameron to battle it out all year long for team supremacy, and hopefully, MotoAmerica Superbike supremacy in 2015.
Yamalube/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha
In the MotoAmerica Supersport class, Yamaha welcomes brand-new title sponsor Yamalube to the team, which includes experienced R6 riders Garrett Gerloff and JD Beach. In addition, Yamaha Extended Service and Graves Motorsports continue their long-standing relationship with the team.
Garrett won last year’s Superbike Shootout Pro Sportbike Championship, and he had six top-five finishes in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, finishing fifth on the season. JD notched four AMA Pro DSB podium finishes in 2014 on his way to finishing fourth in the Championship. Both riders are hungry for wins and are hoping that the new MotoAmerica series will net them a big windfall in race victories this season.
Yamalube/Westby Racing
Winner of three AMA Pro DSB races last year, Dane Westby moves into the MotoAmerica series for 2015 with Yamalube continuing as the team’s title sponsor. “The Wolverine” will step up from his familiar R6 and race the brand-new Yamaha R1 in MotoAmerica’s Superstock 1000 class.
“When I look at that new R1, I see a seasoned athlete,” commented Dane in his own inimitable way. “It’s a culmination of years of training and knowledge. Taking that bike into the new MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 class will be a pleasure, and we’ll also have a chance to run with the big dogs in Superbike. Yamalube products are an invaluable asset both on and off the track, and I want thank them for their continued and enthusiastic support of our program.”
Look for Dane’s signature #00 competition number emblazoned on his shiny, new R1 Superstock 1000 racebike.
The RoadRace Factory
Also moving up for 2015 is 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion Jake Gagne, who will join Dane on the MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 grid and compete aboard the #32 R1 with sponsorship by Red Bull.
“I am beyond excited to be on the new R1 and back with The RoadRace Factory family for 2015,” Jake said, “And, with the new MotoAmerica series, the future is looking very bright. I can’t wait to swing my leg over the new R1, especially going back to some of my favorite tracks here in the U.S.”
Tomas Puerta is back with The RoadRace Factory for 2015, and he will be racing his familiar #12 R6 in Supersport. Joining Tomas in the Supersport class as a new member of The RoadRace Factory is Scotsman Ben Young. Ben formerly raced in AMA Pro SuperSport and competed in the British Superbike Series’ 1000cc Superstock class last year.
The fourth member of The RoadRace Factory and also new to the team is South African rider Cameron Petersen, son of former Yamaha road racer and crew chief Robbie Petersen. Cameron won the South African Supersport Championship in 2013 and raced in South Africa’s Super600 class aboard a Yamaha R6 last year. For 2015, he will join his teammates Tomas and Ben in racing an R6 in MotoAmerica’s Supersport class.
MotoSport.com/Meen Yamaha
MotoSport.com/Meen Yamaha will field two riders in MotoAmerica for 2015. Racing in MotoAmerica’s Supersport class is fan favorite, long-time member of the Yamaha road racing family, and 2013 AMA Pro SuperBike Champion Josh Herrin.
“I’m excited to be back racing in the U.S., again, especially in MotoAmerica’s inaugural season,” said Josh. “I’ve got unfinished business in the 600 class and aboard the Yamaha R6, so I’ll be racing hard for the Championship.”
Joining Josh on the team, racing in the Superstock 600 class, and also back aboard a Yamaha R6 is Joe Roberts, former Red Bull Rookies Cup rider and winner of five AMA Pro SuperSport races in 2013.
“I’m really excited to be riding for Meen Motorsports,” Joe said. “They are a proven team–one of the best in the paddock–and it feels fantastic to go into the 2015 season with them behind me. We’re looking forward to doing really well in the new Superstock 600 class. It’s going to be an exciting season with Wayne Rainey and the KRAVE Group taking over the series.”
Privateers
In addition to the above teams and riders, Yamaha is also very appreciative of all the individual privateer racers and their families who are choosing to compete aboard Yamaha motorcycles in 2015.
For them, the highly popular Yamaha Road Racing Contingency Program, now part of Yamaha’s bLU cRU family, will offer nearly $650,000 in total available winnings. The Program will support riders in the new MotoAmerica series, as well as those privateers who compete in regional and local races aboard the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3.
“We’re excited about the upcoming road racing season and pleased to, once again, offer contingency support to Yamaha road racers,” commented Mike Guerra, Racing Department Manager for Yamaha. “All bLU cRU contingency money will be paid directly to the riders’ bLU cRU Debit Cards. In addition, each bLU cRU rider will receive a $45 credit on http://www.bLUcRUswag.com, as well as a 10% rebate on GYTR and Graves Motorsports parts and accessories.”
For complete details on how to register, along with specific information on which racing series, events, and classes are included, visit the Road Racing Contingency page of the Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Website at https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/racing/2015_RoadRace_Contingency.aspx.
