Yamaha Announces Supersport Team And YZF-R3 Support Program For MotoAmerica Championship

Kevin Duke
by Kevin Duke

Yamaha has announced plans for its Supersport team and its support program for the 2018 MotoAmerica racing season. JD Beach, the 2015 Supersport champ, will continue aboard the Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.)/Graves/Yamaha Supersport team, while his 2017 teammate, Garrett Gerloff, has moved up to Yamaha’s Superbike squad. A replacement Supersport rider hasn’t been announced. Multi-time Superbike champ Josh Hayes has moved to a new role as a Yamaha Factory Racing Brand Ambassador and bLU cRU Rider Coach.

Yamaha and Graves Motorsport are introducing a new Graves/Yamaha YZF-R3 Support Program for riders competing in MotoAmerica’s new 2018 Junior Cup Championship. Two levels of race-prepped R3 motorcycles are on offer, which include Graves Motorsports components and ongoing technical support from Graves and YMUS. Josh Hayes will serve as a mentor for Graves/Yamaha R3 Support Program riders competing in the 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Begin Press Release

Yamaha And Graves Motorsports Announce Supersport Team And YZF-R3 Support Program For 2018 MotoAmerica Road Racing Championship

Cypress, CA – December 6, 2017 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), and Graves Motorsports are proud to announce that 2015 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion JD Beach will continue as a Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.)/Graves/Yamaha Supersport team rider competing in the 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. In addition, Yamaha and Graves are introducing a brand-new Graves/Yamaha YZF-R3 Support Program for riders who wish to compete aboard specially prepared Yamaha R3 motorcycles in MotoAmerica’s new 2018 Junior Cup Championship.

Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha

Anxious to put the #1 plate back on his Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport machine is returning team rider JD Beach, who finished a close second to his former teammate Garrett Gerloff in the 2017 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

“It was a great feeling to put ink to paper and sign up for my fifth season with the Monster Energy/Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team. Each year, it’s like a dream come true for me to be able to continue with this great family as their rider on the awesome R6. For me, racing in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship again, I think, will be best for my continuing development as a rider. We made a lot of mistakes last year, so, for 2018, I’m extremely determined to fix those, have a great season, and win back the #1 plate on my R6. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business in this class. I want to get that taken care of first, and then set my sights on the next goal in my racing career.”

Graves/Yamaha YZF-R3 Support Program For 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup

Graves Motorsports, who is beginning its third decade as a partner with Yamaha Factory Racing, is offering, in cooperation with YMUS, two levels of race-prepped R3 motorcycles, both of which include Graves Motorsports components and ongoing technical support from Graves and YMUS, for competing in the 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship.

In addition, Yamaha Factory Racing Brand Ambassador and bLU cRU Rider Coach Josh Hayes will serve as a mentor for Graves/Yamaha R3 Support Program riders competing in the 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup.

Commenting on the program, Chuck Graves, president of Graves Motorsports said, “What a great way to begin our 21st year of working with Yamaha Factory Racing! With this Graves/Yamaha R3 Support Program, we’re helping to develop the grass roots of motorcycle road racing here in the U.S., and also in the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship. Ever since Yamaha launched the R3 a couple of years ago, we’ve been continually developing more and more race-ready parts for the bike. It’s an excellent motorcycle on which riders can develop their riding and racing skills, and we’re really looking forward to the inaugural season of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship. Yamaha fans and Yamaha racers’ families now have another Championship in which they can cheer on Yamaha bLU cRU riders.”

For more details about the Graves/Yamaha R3 Support Program, call Graves Motorsports at 800-867-6480, extension 800, or send an email to sales@gravesport.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.

Kevin Duke
Kevin Duke

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