Yamaha’s presence in Australian road racing has expanded for 2012 with the contracting of four factory-supported riders under the YRT (Yamaha Racing Team) banner.
Team Director, John Redding, recently announced that the Yamaha Racing Team consisting of 2011 riders Kevin Curtain and Rick Olson are to be joined by young guns Mike Jones and Cru Halliday.
All riders will compete in the Australian FX Superbike Championship as well as the FX Nationals throughout 2012.
"We have had a tremendous amount of support from our sponsors, so much so, that we were able to run our second semi and get more riders on the track in 2012," Redding said.
"As a company, Yamaha prides itself in racing and the company thrives on its success. All of our biggest-selling models, botyh road and off-road are competition-based bikes and have won events and championships all over the world. Having four top-line factory-supported riders in Australia shows the commitment Yamaha and our team sponsors have to racing in this country and we look forward to a successful year showcasing our team, bikes and riders," Redding added.
The running of four riders and two factory race team trucks is a huge task and one that Ray Howard, head of Yamaha Motorsports, hopes will reinvigorate racing in Australia.
"Yamaha and YRT have put a huge amount of work into our road-racing program and continue to look for ways to expand and grow the sport. John’s passion alone is enough to make things happen,” Howard said.
"2011 was an amazing year for YRT and with the new riders coming onboard, I feel we have the perfect blend of youth and experience that can match the heights of our 2011 season."
YRT and YRD support teams will meet in late February for a two-day test session and shakedown of the 2012 race bikes. The first official race is in March and then it's full steam ahead as the two blue trucks work their way up and down the eastern seaboard in search of championship success.
2012 Race Calendar
Rd. 1 FX Eastern Creek Raceway - March 16-18
Rd. 2 FX Wakefield Park Raceway - April 20-22
Rd. 3 FX Queensland Raceway - July 20-22
Rd. 4 FX Wakefield Park Raceway - August 31-September 2
Rd. 5 FX Winton Raceway - October 5-7
Rd. 6 FX Eastern Creek Raceway - November 9-11
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