Yamaha Previews Racing, New Bike Debuts, And Lots Of Other Activities For Daytona Bike Week
Cypress, CA – March 7, 2014 – After all the snow, ice, and cold that most of the U.S. has endured–and still may be enduring–this year, Daytona Bike Week is just the remedy for winter-weary souls. Daytona is always a big event for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., and this year is no exception as the tuning-forks brand is ready to pull out all the stops on and around the track with racing, product displays, and bike demos that are sure to get you both warmed up…and revved up.
Monster Energy AMA Supercross
On Saturday, March 8, the Daytona Supercross will feature Toyota JGR Yamaha riders Justin Brayton and Josh Grant, who will also be joined on the team by Phil Nicoletti. Meanwhile, Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin will be looking to continue his climb up the standings. Jeremy made the podium at last year’s Daytona Supercross, and he’s hoping to bring home the win this year. Also, Kyle Chisholm will be aboard his Cycle Trader.com Rock River Yamaha YZ450F, while his teammate Alex Martin will race a YZ250F in the Daytona Supercross Lites event.
AMA Pro Road Racing
For Yamaha, Daytona 200 victory number 23 is up for grabs, and Yamaha Extended Service/Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha riders Garrett Gerloff and JD Beach will be aboard identically prepared YZF-R6 Daytona SportBikes, with each rider hoping to bring home the third Daytona 200 victory in a row for Yamaha. Garrett and JD are trained and ready to conquer the high banks, breeze through the pitstops, and endure the 57 grueling laps that Daytona International Speedway presents.
This year’s Daytona 200 is set to go green on Saturday, March 15 at 1 PM EST.
In AMA Pro SuperBike, three-time champ Josh Hayes is back with a vengeance. After facing adversity last year at Daytona and ultimately surrendering the SuperBike title to his former teammate Josh Herrin at the end of the 2013 season, Hayes will be looking to start his 2014 campaign off with a couple of race wins at “The World Center Of Racing” aboard his #4 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1 SuperBike.
Hayes will face strong competition from within the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team, as last year’s Daytona 200 winner and Daytona SportBike Champion Cameron Beaubier has moved up to SuperBike and will be a formidable, yet friendly, foe for Hayes. Cameron, who pilots the #2 Yamaha R1 SuperBike, has already proven to be fast in pre-season testing, so look for the two Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1 SuperBikes out in front.
SuperBike Race 1 will go green on Friday, March 14 at 4 PM EST, and Race 2 is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 at 11 AM EST.
A Fan Walk will take place in the Daytona infield paddock on Friday, March 14 at 12:10 PM, with Josh Hayes, Cameron Beaubier, Garrett Gerloff, and JD Beach all on-hand to sign posters and memorabilia, as well as chatting with fans and being photographed. While there, you’ll also want to get a couple of photos with the Monster Energy and Yamaha Extended Service Umbrella Girls, who will also be there.
Off-Road Racing
• Saturday & Sunday, March 8 & 9
Mud Mucker Grand National Cross Country, Bunnell, FL
Am-Pro/N-Fab/Yamaha ATV: Walker Fowler (XC1) and Cole Richardson (XC2)
Am-Pro/N-Fab/Yamaha: Paul Whibley, Josh Strang, and Jordan Ashburn (All XC1)
Jessica Patterson (WXC1)
Raines Racing/Atlas Racing: Ricky Russell (XC2)
• Sunday & Monday, March 9 & 10
Monster Energy Daytona Amateur Supercross, Daytona International Speedway
Yamaha “bLU cRU”: Aaron Plessinger
• Monday, March 10
Alligator Enduro, Ormond Beach, FL
Am-Pro/N-Fab/Yamaha: Brad Bakken
• Thursday & Friday, March 13 & 14
AMA Pro Flat Track Series Opener, Daytona Flat Track
Expert Singles: Sammy Halbert
For more racing news, results, photos, videos, and more, be sure to check out “YamahaMotorUSA” on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Vendor Village To Debut Three New Yamahas
Three new Yamaha motorcycles will make their public debut at the Yamaha and Star display at Daytona International Speedway’s “Vendor Village.” The iconic, retro 2015 SR400; the adventure-touring 2014 Super Ténéré; and the new 2014 Super Ténéré ES with electronically adjustable suspension will all be featured, along with all the other 2014 Yamaha and Star motorcycles.
The Yamaha and Star display is open in Vendor Village from Friday, March 7 through Saturday, March 15. Hours of operation are 9 AM to 6 PM each day, and hats, T-shirts, and other Yamaha and Star merchandise will be available for purchase.
Star Motorcycles At Riverfront Park
Star motorcycles will also be on display at Riverfront Park on Beach Street, and you can check out some extra-special Star custom bikes there, as well.
Take A Ride On A 2014 Yamaha Or Star Motorcycle
To demo a 2014 Yamaha or Star motorcycle, go to Gate 60 on the back side of the Speedway on Friday, March 7 through Friday, March 14 from 9 AM to 5 PM, or on Saturday, March 15 from 9 to 4 PM. You must be 21 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 take your ride.
AMA Yamaha Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast
Yamaha is this year’s title sponsor of the AMA Yamaha Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast, which will take place on Friday, March 14 at 7 AM in the Daytona 500 Club at Daytona International Speedway. Craig Vetter is the featured guest.