Rennie Scaysbrook | April 5, 2016
This weekend, the Yamaha bLU cRU road racing teams will join the stars of MotoGP in Austin, TX, as the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship gets under way with Round 1 at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Factory Racing: Beaubier & Hayes
Defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier debuted his #1 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike two weeks ago at the MotoAmerica Preseason Test powered by Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, and things couldn’t have gone better for the 23-year-old Californian. Cameron was the fastest rider overall on the 3.426-mile, 20-turn COTA road course. His teammate, four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes, also had a solid test two weeks ago and is anxious to get the season started, where he’ll be going all-out to wrestle the #1 plate away from Cameron, starting this weekend at COTA.
Superbike Race 1 will go green at COTA on Saturday, April 9, at 5 PM CST, and Race 2 is scheduled for Sunday, April 10, at 3:30 PM CST.
Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha: Beach & Gerloff
JD Beach had a phenomenal 2015 MotoAmerica season as he notched his first career Supersport race win at COTA a year ago. From there, he went on to win seven more races–including back-to-back double wins at Barber Motorsports Park and Miller Motorsports Park. He reached the podium a total of 13 times last season and earned 3 poles on his way to winning the 2015 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
At the recent COTA test, JD debuted the #1 plate on his Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6, but it was his teammate Garrett Gerloff who stole the Supersport headlines. Garrett, a Texan who lives in nearby Houston, led most of the COTA test sessions aboard his #31 R6, and he ended up the fastest Supersport rider overall. JD was nipping at Garrett’s heels during virtually all of the test sessions, and he ended the two-day test at COTA as the second-fastest rider.
So, look for Garrett and JD going head-to-head at the front of the Supersport pack aboard their identically prepared R6s this weekend at COTA. The Supersport Race is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, at 4:15 PM CST.
Meet The Yamaha bLU cRU Road Racers
All your favorite Yamaha U.S. bLU cRU road racers will be available for autographs at their Team Transporters in the MotoAmerica Paddock on Saturday afternoon, April 9, from 10:40 to 11:40 AM. Cameron and Josh from Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Factory Racing, JD and Garrett from Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha, and the other bLU cRU riders will all be on hand, along with the Monster Energy and Y.E.S. Umbrella Girls.
See The 2016 Yamaha WR450F, XSR900, FJR1300, Yamaha Boats, and WaveRunners
Three of Yamaha’s newest motorcycles will be showcased at the Yamaha Display in the Fan Zone at COTA. The stunning XSR900 Sport Heritage motorcycle and the updated FJR1300 Supersport Touring model will be featured, along with the 60th Anniversary R6, FZ-07, FZ-09, WR450F, YZ450F, as well as 2016 Yamaha Boats and WaveRunners.
The Yamaha Display will be open in the Fan Zone at COTA on Friday, April 8, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM; Saturday, April 9, from 8 AM to 6 PM; and Sunday, April 10, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Hats, T-shirts, and other Yamaha apparel will be available for purchase.
Check Out The Yamaha Champion’s Bikes
Cameron Beaubier’s MotoAmerica Superbike Championship-Winning R1 and JD Beach’s MotoAmerica Supersport Championship-Winning R6 will be showcased at the Yamaha Display.
Take A Ride On A 2016 Yamaha Motorcycle
To demo a 2016 Yamaha YZF-R3, FZ-07, FZ-09, XSR900, or FJR1300, go to Turn 19 at COTA on Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9 from 9 AM to 4 PM, or Sunday, April 10 from 9 AM to 1 PM. You must be 18 years of age and have 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.
Learn To Ride With Yamaha
A favorite for kids and parents alike, Yamaha’s Learn-To-Ride Program gives children under the age of 12 the opportunity to try out a TT-R50 and TT-R110 in a controlled environment, complete with instruction and supervision by American Supercamp’s Danny Walker and his expert team. Riders of all abilities are encouraged to experience the TT-Rs with their class-leading features such as electric start, automatic-clutch transmissions, and YZ styling. The TT-R Demos will take place Friday through Sunday from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Yamaha Display. Full safety gear is provided, and all riders will receive a complimentary digital photo of their experience.
Enter For A Chance To Win A Street-Legal 2016 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R3
The limited-edition 2016 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R3 sportbike–featuring custom paint, Ohlins rear shock and Andreani front fork kit, frame sliders, adjustable rearsets, swingarm spools, fender eliminator kit, and Dunlop Sportmax Alpha tires–will be at the Yamaha Display, and you can enter online to win it at http://www.YamahaMotorsports.com/R3Sweepstakes
Rock On With Yamaha Drum Kits And Revstar Guitars
A selection of Yamaha drum kits will be featured at the Yamaha Display, along with Yamaha’s brand-new lineup of Revstar solid-body electric guitars. Developed from the legendary, 50-year history of Yamaha guitars, while also getting color/design cues and inspiration from the 60-year heritage of Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd., Revstar guitars reflect the raw power and high-performance aesthetic of vintage street-racing motorcycles.
Beginning Friday, April 8, Enter For A Chance To Win Yamaha Revstar Guitars Autographed By Valentino Rossi And Jorge Lorenzo
One Stock Yellow RS320 Revstar will be signed by nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi and one Red Copper RS320 Revstar will be signed by five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, and this is your chance to win them both! Beginning Friday, April 8, enter online to win these awesome pieces of unique memorabilia at http://www.YamahaMotorsports.com/RevstarSweepstakes
Learn “Champion’s Habits” From The Yamaha Champions Riding School
Instructor Nick Ienatsch and his YCRS staff will be conducting special seminars throughout the race weekend in the Yamaha Display Area. Their presentation, titled “Champion’s Habits,” can help every level of rider improve their skills both on the track and the street (check the schedules posted in the Yamaha Display Area for presentation times).
Other attractions in the Yamaha Display Area include a Music DJ, and Free Yamaha Commemorative Visors will be given away at selected times each day (check the schedules posted in the Yamaha Display Area for giveaway times).
For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, visit http://www.YamahaMotorsports.com/Racing
Also, check out “YamahaMotorUSA” on your favorite social media site.
