Dane Westby (No. 00) and J.D. Beach (No. 6) will both run with sponsorship from Yamalube in 2015. (File photo by Larry Lawrence)
Yamaha will have a massive presence in the new MotoAmerica, AMA/FIM sanctioned road race championships in 2015. In the MotoAmerica Supersport class, Yamaha welcomes brand-new title sponsor Yamalube to the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves team, which includes experienced R6 riders Garrett Gerloff and JD Beach. In addition, Yamaha Extended Service and Graves Motorsports continue their long-standing relationship with the team.
Gerloff won last year’s Superbike Shootout Pro Sportbike Championship, and he had six top-five finishes in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike, finishing fifth on the season. JD notched four AMA Pro DSB podium finishes in 2014 on his way to finishing fourth in the Championship. Both riders are hungry for wins and are hoping that the new MotoAmerica series will net them a big windfall in race victories this season.
Winner of three AMA Pro DSB races last year, Dane Westby moves into the MotoAmerica series for 2015 with Yamalube continuing as the team’s title sponsor. “The Wolverine” will step up from his familiar R6 and race the brand-new Yamaha R1 in MotoAmerica’s Superstock 1000 class.
“When I look at that new R1, I see a seasoned athlete,” commented Westby in his own inimitable way. “It’s a culmination of years of training and knowledge. Taking that bike into the new MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 class will be a pleasure, and we’ll also have a chance to run with the big dogs in Superbike. Yamalube products are an invaluable asset both on and off the track, and I want thank them for their continued and enthusiastic support of our program.”
In addition to the Yamalube teams, it was previously announced the expansion of the RoadRace Factory team with the big news being the move of last year’s Daytona SportBike champ Jake Gagne, who will join Westby on the MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 grid and compete aboard the #32 R1 with sponsorship by Red Bull.
In addition to the above teams and riders, Yamaha is also very appreciative of all the individual privateer racers and their families who are choosing to compete aboard Yamaha motorcycles in 2015.
For them, the highly popular Yamaha Road Racing Contingency Program, now part of Yamaha’s bLU cRU family, will offer nearly $650,000 in total available winnings. The Program will support riders in the new MotoAmerica series, as well as those privateers who compete in regional and local races aboard the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R3.
“We’re excited about the upcoming road racing season and pleased to, once again, offer contingency support to Yamaha road racers,” commented Mike Guerra, Racing Department Manager for Yamaha. “All bLU cRU contingency money will be paid directly to the riders’ bLU cRU Debit Cards. In addition, each bLU cRU rider will receive a $45 credit on http://www.bLUcRUswag.com, as well as a 10% rebate on GYTR and Graves Motorsports parts and accessories.”
For complete details on how to register, along with specific information on which racing series, events, and classes are included, visit the Road Racing Contingency page of the Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Website at https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/racing/2015_RoadRace_Contingency.aspx.
