Today we are taking the wraps off a project by Publisher Don Emde that is almost a year in the making. It is, in fact, a project with a very special purpose. When completed, a customized one-of-a-kind Yamaha R1 will be sold at auction with proceeds going to the Riders for Health charity. The new 2009 Yamaha R1 (donated by Yamaha Motor Corp. USA) has had a major makeover with such high-end products as Ohlins suspension, Roland Sands Designs wheels, Akrapovic exhaust and more. But it’s most noteworthy feature is the adaptation of 8-time world champion Valentino Rossi’s famous AGV “Five Continents” helmet design to the bodywork. With Rossi’s personal approval of the project, his helmet graphic designer Aldo Drudi worked at the Drudi Performance studio in Italy to adapt the helmet graphic design to the R1 bodywork. Never before has a motorcycle received such an extensive treatment of the Rossi design and without question, the person who wins the bid at the auction will have a machine for the ages. In its final form, the Rossi-styled R1 will be delivered ready to go as a “Track Day” bike, with street legal items such as license plate, turn signals and tail light removed and given to the new owner in a box should there be interest in using it on the roads. The new Bridgestone BT003 Track Day tires will be fitted to the machine front and back. Don Emde, who won the 1972 Daytona 200 in his racing career, has been active for over a year in the United States raising funds for Riders for Health, the charity that has received worldwide acclaim for its successful program in Africa to provide transportation for medicines and medical expertise to millions of people who otherwise would go without. Emde said, “Following on the heels of successful events this year in Hollywood and the USGP races at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis, the Riders for Health/Rossi R1 project will take things to a new level. I am very grateful for the support by Yamaha, Valentino Rossi, AGV, Aldo Drudi, Ohlins, Roland Sands Design, Akrapovic and all of the other sponsors and people involved with the project.” Schedule for auction The Riders for Health/Rossi R1 will sold at auction in early-to-mid-2010″¦exact event, location and date to be announced. Sponsors Sponsors of the project include AGV Helmets, Akrapovic, Bridgestone Tires, EBC Brakes, Drudi Performance, Dynojet, EK Chain, Goodridge, K&N, Ohlins, Roland Sands Designs, Vortex, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA. For more information log onto www.partsmag.com, Parts Magazine’s Facebook page or contact Don Emde at 949-215-4780 x206 or [email protected]