Yamaha’s bLU cRU Is Ready To Decide It All This Weekend At The Final Round Of The 2016 MotoAmerica Championship In New Jersey
Cypress, CA – September 6, 2016 – This weekend, the 2016 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship wraps up its season with an encore visit to the popular New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ, for the Yamaha Superbike Challenge of New Jersey. The MotoAmerica series visited NJMP in April and is making a rare second appearance at the facility’s fan-favorite, 12-turn, 2.25-mile Thunderbolt Raceway.
At stake in New Jersey are the two premier MotoAmerica Championships–Superbike and Supersport–and Yamaha bLU cRU riders are the main protagonists in both race classes.
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Factory Racing: Beaubier & Hayes
With eight race wins so far this season, you’d think that defending Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier would have wrapped up his second-consecutive Superbike title by now, especially with his closest rival and teammate Josh Hayes–himself a four-time AMA Superbike Champion with 60 career Superbike race victories–only notching two race wins thus far in 2016. But, with the same level of tenacity that he has hung onto his record-breaking racing career, Josh has stayed close to Cameron on track all season long, as well as in the points.
Cameron is clearly the odds-on favorite to prevail in this season’s Championship, but you can never count Josh out, especially at New Jersey Motorsports Park where the “Mississippi Madman” has amassed a gaudy total of 11 Superbike race wins aboard his Yamaha YZF-R1.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on my #1 R1 after having a nice summer break,” Cameron said. “I’ve been continuing to train hard back in California. I enjoy going to New Jersey, and the fans there really make us feel welcome. It’s a great atmosphere and a great place to wrap up the season. I’m ready to get back in race mode and do everything I can to clinch this title.”
Josh said, “New Jersey is always a fantastic event for me. I’ve managed to finish the season strong there–every year–for the past seven years, and I’m going there looking for the same results, which is two race wins on Sunday. The fans in New Jersey are always enthusiastic, and last off-season, when MotoAmerica asked me about the potential of going to NJMP twice this year, I felt very strongly that it’s a track with a fan base that can support two MotoAmerica events in one season. I’m looking forward to a big turnout there this weekend to wrap up our Championship.”
One thing’s for sure: it’ll be a breathtaking display of talent and racecraft as Cameron and Josh go head-to-head aboard their Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1 Superbikes for the final time this year.
MotoAmerica Superbike Superpole (Qualifying) is Saturday, September 10, at 2:00 PM EST. Superbike Race 1 will go green on Sunday, September 11, at 12:30 PM EST, and Superbike Race 2 is set for later on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM EST.
Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.)/Graves/Yamaha: Gerloff & Beach
Last year, Garrett Gerloff had a front-row seat and watched with what was obviously extreme discomfort as his teammate and closest rival JD Beach went on a race-winning tear from about the midway point in the 2015 season to capture the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
This year, the tables have turned somewhat as defending Champ JD has witnessed Garrett riding on a whole other level than last year, with a quiet confidence that has kept him in the lead for the majority of the season. JD has mounted another late-season surge, similar to what he did last year, and he has continually nibbled bits and pieces out of Garrett’s lead over the past few rounds. But, while both riders are tied in race wins with six victories apiece, Garrett still holds a 14-point lead over JD.
The Supersport Manufacturers Championship has already been awarded to Yamaha, and one of the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6 pilots will definitely win the crown this weekend. But, will it be Garrett aboard his #31 R6 or will JD repeat as Supersport Champion aboard his #1 R6?
Garrett said, “I can’t wait to get this last round of the MotoAmerica Championship under way! I’ve had so much fun racing this year against some really tough competitors and at some amazing racetracks. It’s crazy to think that the 2016 season is almost over! I’m going to do the best I can at New Jersey and enjoy every second of it with my family, friends, and team right by my side. I can’t wait to spin some laps on my Yamaha R6 and at one of my favorite tracks! See y’all there!”
“I’m really excited for this last race weekend of the season,” JD commented. “It’s been a long year for me, with ups and downs, but it’s been a blast pulling through the downs with my great crew and team. I’ve been working hard during the break to go into the last round 100% ready. It’s going to be a hard weekend with the points gap to Garrett, but my crew and I are going to give it our all and have the best possible outcome.”
The Supersport Championship may be the undercard to Superbike in MotoAmerica, but it’s certainly no less exciting to watch. Are you ready for the winner-take-all weekend? You can bet that Garrett and JD are.
Provisional Qualifying for MotoAmerica Supersport is on Friday, September 9, at 1:50 PM EST, and Final Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday morning, September 10, at 9:20 PM EST. Supersport Race 1 will go green on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM EST, and Race 2 is on Sunday, September 11, at 2:45 PM EST.
Meet The Yamaha bLU cRU Road Racers And Umbrella Girls
On Friday night, September 9, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, be sure to stop by Deptford Yamaha at 1300 Clements Bridge Road in nearby Deptford, New Jersey. Josh, Cameron, Garrett, and JD, along with Yamalube/Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz will be on hand to meet fans, sign autographs, and give away posters.
The bLU cRU riders will also be available for autographs during two “Meet & Greet” sessions at the track, and the Monster Energy and Y.E.S. Umbrella Girls will be there, as well:
Be There For A Special Yamaha Factory Superbike Team Announcement
On Saturday, September 10, at 12:30 PM, the Yamaha Factory Superbike Team will make a special announcement that you won’t want to miss. Join our team, members of the media, and MotoAmerica officials at the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Factory Racing team transporter in the NJMP paddock where you’ll be among the first to hear some exciting news about the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike season!
Watch Some Extreme Riding With Yamaha bLU cRU Stunt Rider Bill Dixon
Stunt rider Bill Dixon does some amazing tricks aboard his stable of Yamaha motorcycles, including his Bolt cruiser, his Super Ténéré, and, of course, his specially modified, stunt-optimized R6. Come to the Fan Zone at NJMP, and prepare to be amazed:
Check Out The Graves Motorsports Race-Prepped Yamaha YZF-R3
Graves Motorsports will have a pair of specially prepared, race-kitted R3 track bikes on display throughout the weekend in the Fan Zone at NJMP, so come and scope them out.
Get Yourself Some Yamaha Apparel
Deptford Yamaha will have a booth set up all weekend long in the Fan Zone at NJMP, and they’ll have Yamaha T-shirts, hats, umbrellas, and more available for purchase.
Watch The Final Round Of The 2016 MotoAmerica Championship LIVE On beIN SPORTS And beIN SPORTS CONNECT
– Saturday, September 10, 2:00 PM EST: Superbike Superpole 1 & 2, Supersport Race 1
– Sunday, September 11, 12:30 PM EST: Superbike Race 1, Supersport Race 2, Superbike Race 2
For information and airtimes for MotoAmerica races on BeIN SPORTS and BeIN SPORTS CONNECT, check out http://www.beinsports.com/us/motoamerica/ and http://www.beinsports.com/us/motoamerica/
For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, visit http://www.YamahaMotorsports.com/Racing
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