2016 Yamaha bLU cRU Support SX Teams
The 2016 Yamaha bLU cRU support teams and riders that will be participating in the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship were recently announced. All together, six support teams will compete in the 17-round 2016 AMA SX season.
“The 2016 Supercross season is about to get under way, and we’re very excited about our lineup of Yamaha bLU cRU support teams and riders,” said Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
“Our Yamaha YZ250F and YZ450F are proven race winners and Championship machines, and our teams and riders did very well in 2015. We’re looking forward to even bigger and better accomplishments for 2016.”
Following is a look at each Yamaha support team.
CycleTrader.com/Rock River/Yamaha
Once again making a showing in 2016 is long-time bLU cRU support team CycleTrader.com/Rock River/Yamaha. Led by team owner Mike DuClos and team manager Christina Denny, the team will compete in 450SX with Tommy Hahn, while Colt Nichols will race in 250SX West and Luke Renzland will in 250SX East.
Rock River will continue operating Yamaha’s successful “Pro Parts” program, offering emergency OEM parts at cut-rate prices to eligible racers at all Supercross and Motocross events, including the Monster Energy Cup.
51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha
Under the guidance of team owner Carlos Vieira, team director Terry Beal, and team manager Craig Monty, 51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha is returning for the 2016 season, competing in the 250SX West with new riders Zach Bell and Australian Hayden Mellross.
Barn Pros Racing/Yamaha
Established in 2011 by Barn Pros’ Steve Oslund and managed by former pro racer Scot Steffy, the Barn Pros Racing/Yamaha team–with financial support from Barn Pros, the nation’s leading barn manufacturer, as well as Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S.–is another bLU cRU support team continuing on for 2016. They will compete in 250SX West with riders Scott Champion, Austin Politelli, and Cole Martinez.
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 and managed by Larry Brooks, Blue Buffalo/Slater Skins/Yamaha crew return to the starting gate in 2016.
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. Riding on behalf of the team are promising young hopefuls, Michael Leib, who will race in 250SX West, and 2015 AMA Horizon Award Winner Benny Bloss, who will race in 250SX East.
Strikt/U.S. Racing/Yamaha
Led by team owner Billy Urban and managed by three-time national motocross champion Marty Smith, Strikt/U.S.Racing/Yamaha, a newly established bLU cRU support team for will enter the 2016 season. Ryan Breece as will be riding in the 250SX West races.
3D Racing/Yamaha
Bill Dill, team owner of another new bLU cRU support team 3D Racing/Yamaha, will field Justin Rando in 250SX East.
In all, Yamaha appears to be extending their support programs and focusing on support grassroots racing endeavors and that is something that everyone at UMC can support.
