Yamaha Introduces Its 2016 bLU cRU Road Racing Support Teams

Cypress, CA – February 12, 2016 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, is proud to introduce the support teams and bLU cRU Yamaha riders that will compete aboard Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 motorcycles in the 2016 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship. The announcement was made by Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.

“2015 was an amazing year for Yamaha and our bLU cRU support riders and teams who competed in MotoAmerica’s inaugural season,” commented Keith McCarty. “Never before has a single motorcycle manufacturer won every championship in all of the AMA/FIM-sanctioned professional road racing classes in one year. Our riders won every race at every MotoAmerica round in 2015. All told, 64 individual MotoAmerica road races were won by Yamaha bLU cRU riders. That’s a tough act to follow, but I have no doubt that, with the unbelievable talent of the riders who will be aboard the Yamaha R1 and R6 for 2016–along with the skilled and hard-working teams backing them–the bLU cRU is definitely up for the challenge.”

Yamalube/Westby Racing

Led by team owner Tryg Westby and team manager Chuck Giacchetto, Yamalube/Westby Racing stepped up from campaigning a Yamaha R6 very successfully for several years in AMA Pro Racing to compete in MotoAmerica’s Superstock 1000 class in 2015 with the brand-new Yamaha R1. And, with new team rider Josh Day aboard the team’s #00 gold-liveried R1, they won three races, including a double win at Miller Motorsports Park, podiumed eight times, and notched one pole position. With a year of development and getting acclimated to the R1 under their belts, Josh and the team are looking for even bigger and better things in the 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Championship.

“After almost a full MotoAmerica season aboard the Yamalube/Westby Racing R1 in the Superstock 1000 class, I’m really looking forward to the 2016 MotoAmerica season,” Josh said. “We did a lot of development on the bike last year, to get me more comfortable on it, and we got three wins, eight podiums, and a pole in the process. The R1 is really starting to feel like it’s mine, so we’re definitely looking for even better results this year. I have to say a big thank you to Tryg for bringing me back for 2016. The team and I are working hard this off-season, and we can’t wait to get to COTA in April for the first race.”

Broaster Chicken/RoadRace Factory/Yamaha

2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion Jake Gagne was, without a doubt, the most successful rider–and Yamaha bLU cRU team member–in the entire paddock last year. Aboard his #32 RoadRace Factory/Yamaha R1, Jake won 13 races and earned 7 pole positions.

And, after a season of utter dominance in the Superstock 1000 class, it made perfect sense for Broaster Chicken/RoadRace Factory/Yamaha team owner Danny Walker to take another step forward and put Jake on a full-spec Yamaha R1 Superbike for 2016.

Jake commented, “I’m extremely excited to be moving up to Superbike with the big boys! We had an amazing first year on the Superstock R1, and I just can’t wait to get on the Broaster Chicken/RoadRace Factory/R1 Superbike. It’s going to be a challenge, for sure, but we’ll be ready to battle with those guys. I’m lucky to be on a Yamaha and back with Danny and the RoadRace Factory. So, roll on, 2016!”

Wheels In Motion/Meen Yamaha

For 2016, Wheels in Motion/Meen Yamaha team owner Ameen Sajjadi will field two riders in two MotoAmerica racing classes.

Josh Herrin, who is a long-time member of the Yamaha road racing family and won the 2013 AMA Pro SuperBike Championship on an R1, will race in MotoAmerica’s Superstock 1000 class in 2016, once again reuniting with the R1–albeit the next-generation R1–and with his familiar #2 emblazoned on the front and sides of his bike. Last year, while competing aboard a Yamaha R6 for Wheels in Motion/MotoSport.com/Meen Yamaha in MotoAmerica’s Supersport class, Josh won 4 races, reached the podium 11 times, and earned 1 pole.

“There are so many things that I’m excited about this year!” Josh exclaimed. “The move up to Superstock 1000 is huge for me. Having won the 2013 AMA Pro SuperBike Championship, I obviously feel very comfortable on the big bike, and I feel like that’s where I belong. This is my second year being part of the Wheels in Motion/Meen Yamaha team. It’s a team that not only provides a comfortable atmosphere for me, but also, a competitive bike and a great group of people who I’m proud to work with. On top of that, this is my 11th year as a Yamaha rider. Yamaha is the team that gave me my start, my championship, and my family for nearly my entire professional racing career. I couldn’t be happier to be where I am.”

Last year’s MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, Joe Roberts, who moved up to the Supersport class after clinching the title early aboard his #27 Superstock R6 with 9 wins, 10 podiums, and 5 poles, won a Supersport race, got on the podium twice, and earned a pole last year, which gives him huge momentum coming into 2016 where he will again compete on a Wheels in Motion/Meen Yamaha R6 in his first full season of MotoAmerica Supersport competition.

“I’m really excited about this year,” Joe said. “I will be competing in the MotoAmerica Supersport class with Meen Motorsports, and it’s great to be back with the same team that I’ve had so much success with. And, being back on the Yamaha R6, I’m confident that I can bring success to the team and Yamaha!”

TOBC racing/Yamaha

Headed up by team owner Michelle Lindsay and team manager Scott Harwell, TOBC racing was one of Yamaha’s newest bLU cRU road racing support teams in 2015. And, with rider Taylor Knapp competing for the team in MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 aboard the #44 TOBC racing Yamaha R1, the team notched 1 race win and 13 podiums to finish a strong second in the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Championship.

For 2016, TOBC racing returns to the MotoAmerica paddock, and multi-time race winner and Daytona 200 Champion Danny Eslick will compete for the team in Superstock 1000 with Danny’s trademark #69 proudly displayed on his TOBC-liveried Yamaha R1.

Danny said, “I’m very excited to be with the TOBC racing crew this year, and to jump on the proven Yamaha R1 in MotoAmerica Superstock 1000. Also, I’m really pumped to be part of the Yamaha racing family!”

Also joining TOBC racing/Yamaha for 2016 is Curtis Murray, who will race a Yamaha R6 in MotoAmerica’s Superstock 600 class. Curtis formerly competed in WERA road racing events and has also raced in AMA Pro Racing’s Supersport class, as well as the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship.

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.