It Was “Stars On Stars” As Yamaha Racing Champions Participated In 9th Annual Cpl. Michael D. Anderson, Jr., Memorial Ride Modesto, CA May 29, 2013 – The 9th Annual Cpl. Michael D. Anderson, Jr. Memorial Ride, a fundraising event held a couple of Saturdays ago, was a huge success. Not only was the ride attended by hundreds of Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and the general public, but some of Yamaha’s greatest racing champions also participated. In fact, the Yamaha Stars rode Star Motorcycles, including the newest Star model, the all-new-from-the ground-up Bolt. But, before the bikes took to the pavement to begin the Memorial Ride, Kenny Roberts took to the dirt aboard his Bolt R-Spec and put the stylish cruiser through its paces on the flat track located at the Roberts Ranch in Modesto. Amidst the hundreds of growing almond trees that represent one of Kenny Roberts’ newest business ventures, The King dropped the hammer on the Bolt R-Spec and kicked up quite a roost. Even though he was wearing khakis, a T-shirt, and running shoes instead of his signature Yamaha bumblebee flat track leathers and, of course, steel shoe, Kenny still managed to impress the fans who witnessed his impromptu warm-up laps. Among the onlookers was actress Bo Derek who earlier, while sitting on Kenny’s #2 XS650/750 OW72 flat tracker, contemplated joining Kenny on his dirt oval but thought better of it after witnessing The King’s blistering pace. After feeling satisfied that the Bolt R-Spec was sufficiently warmed up and ready to go, Kenny joined his fellow riders, including four-time Grand Prix Champion Eddie Lawson; fellow GP title holder Kenny Roberts, Junior; and AMA Pro Racing Champion Kurtis Roberts. Eddie and the Roberts men were all mounted on Star Motorcycles provided by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., for the Memorial Ride. From its start in Modesto to its completion in the historic mining community of Jamestown, the Memorial Ride was escorted by motorcycle units from the Modesto Police Department, the Stanislaus Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol, who ensured that the riders enjoyed a safe, uninterrupted run through central California’s spectacular Mother Lode foothills. The Annual Cpl. Michael D. Anderson, Jr. Memorial Ride is affiliated with Welcome Home Heroes, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation organized to provide assistance to local Central California veterans of the U.S. military in their transition from active duty to private life. In the past six months alone, Welcome Home Heroes has distributed more than $51,000 to veterans and active-duty military personnel in need of support, with $37,000 of that total distributed during the 2012 holiday season alone. Visit TrueAmericanHero.org for more information.