1972 Daytona 200 winner Don Emde took the wraps off a very special 2009 Yamaha R1 project bike at the recent Long Beach show. Emde also announced the launch of his non-profit organization called Friends of Riders for Health, Inc. He led a one-year team effort to customize the machine with premium aftermarket accessories throughout and a one-off graphic theme replicating Valentino Rossi’s famous “Five Continents” AGV helmet design by famed designer Aldo Drudi. The graphic wrap was done in Italy by Pole Position Racing Service, the high tech graphics company that works with major Moto GP and other teams. The new 2009 R1 is scheduled to be sold at auction at a date to be announced in late 2010 or early 2011. It is a fully street legal and licensed motorcycle, although it has been stripped of certain street equipment such as mirrors, turn signals and license plate/taillight for display and it will be delivered as a Track Day Only machine. To assist the new owner with their riding skills, the Yamaha Champions Riding School has donated a one-day school that will be included with the sale price. Additionally, courtesy of Yamaha, a complete second set of stock R1 bodywork will be included, as well as all of the stock street equipment that has been removed. Emde commented, “Riders for Health is the official charity of the MotoGP series and I am so appreciative of the support from everyone in the sport that were involved in the project, including of course Valentino Rossi, who enthusiastically agreed to the use of his helmet design, and to Yamaha Motor Corp USA, AGV, Aldo Drudi of Drudi Performance and Luca Campanille of Pole Position. Without their support, such a unique finished product would not have been possible. Also thanks to Cameron Brewer from Roland Sands Designs, who pitched in to install many of the aftermarket products well beyond the great set of wheels that Roland donated, and to the many great aftermarket companies that agreed to provide products.” Emde’s Friends of Riders for Health, Inc. non-profit organization is dedicated to raising funds for Riders for Health through special projects and the R1 was the first project for the new organization. Sponsors of the project were Yamaha Motor Corp. USA, Ohlins, Akrapovic, Drudi Performance, AGV, Pole Position Racing Service, Vortex, Roland Sands Designs, Yamaha GYTR, Yamaha Champions Riding School, Saddlemen, Bridgestone, EK, EBC, Goodridge, K&N, Dynojet and Imagine-It Graphics. For more info on Friends of Riders for Health, log onto: www.friendsofriders.org or call Don Emde at 949-215-4780 x206. For more info on Riders for Health, log onto: www.riders.org.