Yamaha Returns With Road Racing Contingency Program for 2017

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., have announced that the bLU cRU Road Racing Contingency Program will return for 2017 with several new enhancements, including an expanded Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge as part of the WERA motorcycle roadracing series.

"For 2017, the Yamaha bLU cRU Road Racing Contingency Program has increased by $50,000 over last year," commented Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. "Yamaha is deeply committed to supporting road racers who compete aboard our highly successful YZF-R1, YZF-R6, and YZF-R3 motorcycles. The Yamaha bLU cRU continues to grow every year, and we're pleased to be able to provide those racers with Contingency support. The legendary R6 has been redesigned for 2017, and we are especially looking forward to seeing bLU cRU racers compete aboard that new machine with support from Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A."

“We’re also very excited about this year’s Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge. The Challenge was a big success last year, and for 2017, we’ve expanded the Challenge to include 26 regional WERA races, encompassing 13 racetracks in 9 states.”

For 2017, Yamaha R1 Superbike riders competing in the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Race Championship are eligible for Contingency support when they cross the finish line in the top five of the class. Yamaha will also provide Contingency support for bLU cRU riders who compete in the 76th running of the Daytona 200, which will take place in March. Further support will be available to Yamaha bLU cRU riders at a variety of national and regional sprint road races across the country.

As mentioned, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., is also continuing its marketing partnership with WERA Motorcycle Roadracing for the 2017 road racing season. As part of the agreement, Yamaha R3 Expert and Novice road racers have the opportunity to compete in the Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge Race—exclusively for Yamaha R3 riders— which will be held at the prestigious WERA Grand National Finals (GNF) on November 2-5, 2017, at Barber Motorsports Park.

At the GNF, the winner of the Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge Race—in the Expert class—will be awarded a brand-new 2017 Yamaha R6. Other R3 Challenge Race podium-finishing riders—in both the Expert and Novice classes—will be awarded prizes that include TrackSkinz racing leathers and Yamaha Generators. Additional prizes and details will be announced soon.

To be eligible for a grid position at the GNF’s Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge Race, R3 racers must qualify by competing in any two WERA E-Superstock races during the 2017 road racing season. Grid positions for the Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge Race at the GNF will be determined by points accumulated at any 2017 WERA “E-Superstock” races.

To further support the Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge, Yamaha is offering bLU cRU Contingency Support to Expert-class R3 racers at 26 WERA events in 2017, and eligible models have been expanded to include 2015-and-newer R3 motorcycles purchased in the U.S.

For complete details on how to register for the bLU cRU Road Racing Contingency Program, along with specific information on which racing series, events, and classes are included, and additional information on the Yamaha bLU cRU R3 Challenge, visit the Road Racing Contingency page on the Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Website at yamahamotorsports.com/racing