Yamaha Announces 2015 Racing Teams

Courtesy of Yamaha Motor Corp

Cypress, CA – For 2015, the Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., lineup of Supercross and Motocross teams is one of the largest and potentially most competitive collections of owners, managers, team technicians, and riders that the company has ever assembled.
“We’re very excited about the upcoming Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Motocross seasons,” commented Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. “Especially with the number of teams and riders that want to compete on Yamaha YZ250F and YZ450F motorcycles in 2015. This shows the impact that these bikes have made on the sport, as well as the confidence that the teams and riders have in them as winning machines.”
Joining the previously announced teams, Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX and Yamalube/Star/Yamaha, are the following six additional “bLU cRU” teams:

CycleTrader.com/Rock River/Yamaha

For 2015, Yamaha continues its long-term partnership with the CycleTrader.com/Rock River/Yamaha team, which is led by owner Mike DuClos and manager Christina Denny. The team will campaign in both the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, with rider Ben Lamay returning to the 450 class aboard a YZ450F, and Alex Martin and Greg Gehrer in the 250SX West Coast and MX events, while rookie standout Luke Renzland will compete in 250SX East Coast and MX events. Rock River will also continue to operate Yamaha’s successful “Pro Parts” program, offering emergency OEM parts at a discount to all racers at all Supercross and Motocross events, including the Monster Energy Cup.

Strikt/Slaton/Yamaha

Led by team owner Bruce Slaton, along with team manager and three-time National Motocross champion Marty Smith, Strikt/Slaton/Yamaha returns for a second season of competition in the 250SX West Coast series aboard YZ250Fs. Returning riders Scott Champion and Zach Freeburg will be joined by new teammate Cole Martinez.

Barn Pros/Home Depot/Yamaha

Founded in 2011 by Barn Pro’s Steve Oslund and managed by former pro racer Scott Steffy, the Barn Pros/Home Depot/Yamaha team–with backing from the nation’s leading barn manufacturer and the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S.–will compete in the 250SX West Coast series with its three young guns, Conner Elliott, Chris Howell, and Ryder Steffy.

51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha

In 2014, the 51FIFTY Energy Drink team took top-privateer honors, finishing 10th in the AMA 250SX West Coast Championship, but the team has higher goals for 2015. Team owner Carlos Vieira added former Factory Yamaha technician Craig Monty as the team manager, signed 2013 Canadian MX 2 Champion Austin Politelli, and joined the bLU cRU to race the Championship-winning YZ250F. A fundamental part of Carlos Vieira’s and 51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha’s program is their commitment to fundraising for the “Race for Autism,” a campaign that is raising awareness and money to help find a cure for autism. At every West Coast round of the Supercross series, the team will actively promote the “Race for Autism” campaign in its pit area.

Blue Buffalo/Slater Skins/Yamaha

Owned and operated by John Slater, founder of Slater Racing Products and the creator of “Slater Skins,” the Blue Buffalo/Slater Skins/Yamaha team will compete in 450SX with Killy Rusk aboard a YZ450F, while Ryan Zimmerman will race a YZ250F in the 250SX East Coast Championship. The team’s title sponsor, Blue Buffalo All-Natural Pet Food, is the #1 selling pet food at big-box pet supply retailers Petco and PetSmart.

Thermo-Tec/Yamaha

For 2015, Yamaha returns to the highly competitive AMA Amsoil Arenacross series with former racer Junior Jackson’s Thermo-Tec/Yamaha team. Two of last year’s Arenacross race winners, Kyle Regal and Mike McDade, will compete for the team aboard YZ250Fs in the 15-round national indoor series. “Yamaha is excited to once again be involved in Arenacross,” McCarty said, “and with the advent of the Ricky Carmichael ‘Road To Supercross’ becoming the clear path to an Amateur rider’s eligibility for the Monster Energy Supercross series, partnering with a competitive team like Thermo-Tec/Yamaha makes perfect sense.”
For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, visit www.YamahaMotorsports.com/Racing. Also, check out “YamahaMotorUSA” on your favorite social media site.
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