Yamaha Previews bLU cRU Road Racing And Fan Activities Scheduled For The Circuit of The Americas This Weekend
Cypress, CA – Beginning tomorrow through Sunday, the Yamaha bLU cRU road racing teams will be on the world stage as they join the stars of MotoGP in Austin, TX. Round 1 of the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship gets under way Thursday morning at the 3.426-mile, 20-turn Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing: Beaubier & Hayes
Two-time and defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier has a stylish, new red, white, and blue #1 adorning his Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing YZF-R1 Superbike this season, and the northern California native is raring to add a third-consecutive Superbike title to his world-class racing resume.
“The first Championship was tough, the second one was even tougher, and I expect the quest for this third-consecutive MotoAmerica Superbike title to be the toughest one yet,” Cameron commented. “But, I am more than up to the challenge. We got in a few tests on my #1 R1 this off-season, and I am definitely ready to go!”
Meanwhile, his teammate Josh “Mississippi Madman” Hayes, who is a four-time AMA Superbike Champion, is as motivated as ever to take Cameron to task in hot pursuit of a fifth Superbike title.
“My crew and I have had a very positive off-season adapting to the new rules structure, and I’m feeling more racy and comfortable than I’ve felt in quite some time,” Josh said. “I’m looking forward to an arduous and competitive season, starting this weekend, and I’m ready to show the level of riding that I am capable of. Game on!”
Superbike Race 1 will go green at COTA on Saturday, April 22, at 5 PM CST, and Race 2 is scheduled for Sunday, April 23, at 3:45 PM CST.
Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha: Gerloff & Beach
What better way for a Texas-born, raised, and residing road racer to begin the defense of his MotoAmerica Supersport Championship than on a world-class racetrack right in Texas? The only way to improve on that dream scenario is if that Champion–Garrett Gerloff–is aboard a brand-new-for-2017 motorcycle. Garrett will be debuting the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6, with the big #1 on it, this weekend at COTA. Incidentally, Garrett was the fastest Supersport rider at the recent MotoAmerica Official Test held last month at COTA.
“I love everything about COTA,” said Garrett. “The challenge that the track presents, the electric atmosphere with MotoGP there, and the awesome Texas fans! We had a great test there a couple weeks ago, and the 2017 R6 is a dream, I really feel like I mesh with this bike. It gives me a lot of confidence every time I swing a leg over it. This season is definitely going to be a challenge but I’m more prepared than ever, and I can’t wait to start my Championship title ‘offense’ close to home!”
A few states up the road from Texas is the great state of Kentucky and the town of Philpot, home to a certain rider who goes by the nickname “Jiggy Dog,” which is a playful reference to the trademark initials of JD Beach. JD had the #1 on his R6 all through the 2016 MotoAmerica Supersport season. And, as much as he loves to run the #95 on his bike, as he will this MotoAmerica Supersport season, he wants that number one back, in a big way.
“We came so close last year, and it went all the way to the final race of the season to decide it all,” JD said. “But, this isn’t horseshoes, and we were just not close enough. There isn’t anything in life that you want more than something that’s been taken away from you. And I want that #1 back! The only way it could be closer than on my teammate’s R6 is if it were back on MY R6, and that’s my motivation this season. It can’t get any clearer than that!”
The first Supersport Race of the 2017 MotoAmerica season is scheduled for this Saturday, April 22, 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 morning, April 22, from 10:40 to 11:40 AM. Cameron and Josh from Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing, Garrett and JD from Monster Energy/Yamalube/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 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6, FZ-09, Sport Boats, WaveRunners, Golf Cars, And More
Two of Yamaha’s newest motorcycles will be showcased in the Yamaha Display at COTA. The refined, redesigned and remarkable YZF-R6 and the updated FZ-09 will be featured, along with the YZF-R3, FZ-07 ABS, WR250F, and YZ450F. Plus, Yamaha Sport Boats, WaveRunners, and Golf Cars will also be available for viewing.
The Yamaha Display will be open in the Fan Zone at COTA on Friday, April 21, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM; Saturday, April 22, from 8 AM to 6 PM; and Sunday, April 23, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Hats, T-shirts, and other Yamaha apparel–including Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales merchandise–will be available for purchase.
Take A Ride On A 2017 Yamaha Motorcycle
To demo a 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6, Bolt R-Spec, SCR950, XSR900, FZ-07 ABS, FZ-09, FJ-09, FZ-10, YZF-R1S, Super Ténéré ES, FJR1300, or V Star 1300 Deluxe, go to the Fan Zone at COTA on Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21 from 9 AM to 4 PM, or Sunday, April 22 from 9 AM to 1 PM. You must be at least 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 ride the FZ-10 or YZF-R1S, you also must be at least 25 years of age.
Learn “Champion’s Habits” From The Yamaha Champions Riding School
Keith Culver 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).
Enter For A Chance To Win A Customized “Urban Ops” Yamaha YZF-R1S
In a random drawing from all entries received in the “Yamaha R1S Urban Ops Sweepstakes,” Yamaha will select one winner who will receive a one-of-a-kind 2017 Yamaha YZF-R1S that has been tricked out with a complete assortment of Genuine Yamaha Accessories, select aftermarket upgrades, special graphics, and custom lighting. See the bike in person this weekend at the Yamaha Display in the Fan Zone at COTA.
No purchase is necessary to enter or win. For official Sweepstakes rules, and to enter online, please visit: http://yamaha.us/fR1sUrbOps
Enter To Win A 2017 Yamaha YZ250F Or YZF-R3 In Yamalube 50th Anniversary Graphics!
Look for the Yamalube Umbrella Girls at the Yamaha Display, and ask them to enter your name in the Yamalube 50th Anniversary Sweepstakes.
On Monday following the race weekend, one lucky winner’s name will be drawn for the Free Case of Yamalube, and all names collected on the race weekends will be automatically entered in the drawing for the 2017 Yamalube 50th Anniversary YZ250F or YZF-R3. A First Prize Winner and Second Prize Winner will be selected in a random drawing on October 2, 2017 from among all eligible and qualified entries.
No purchase is necessary to enter win. For official Sweepstakes rules, please visit:
https://www.shopyamaha.com/yamalubebikegiveaway
https://www.shopyamaha.com/yamalubeoilgiveaway
Get A Free Monster Energy/Yamalube/Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha T-Shirt Or Hat
Complete a brief survey at the Yamaha Financial Services canopy in the Yamaha Display Area, and you’ll receive a Free Team T-Shirt or Hat (while supplies last) from Monster Energy/Yamalube/Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha, compliments of Yamaha Financial Services and Yamaha Extended Service.
Other attractions in the Yamaha Display Area include Free Yamaha Commemorative Visors, which will be given away on Friday, April 20 at 12:30 PM; Saturday, April 21 at 12 PM and 4 PM; and on Sunday, April 22 at 10:30 AM. Also, there’ll be a Music DJ playing tunes and Free Airbrushed Temporary Tattoos throughout the weekend.
For more information on all Yamaha models–including features, specifications, photos, and videos–please visit www.YamahaMotorsports.com
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.