Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. Employees Get Some Special Visitors

Jul 01, 2009, By David Swarts, ©Copyright 2009, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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MotoGP racers (from left) James Toseland, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards visited Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. headquarters today in Cypress, California and took photos with employees.

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. did some artwork on the lawn of its headquarters to celebrate Valentino Rossi's 100th Grand Prix victory.

Employees working at Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.’s headquarters in Cypress, California, got some special visitors today as MotoGP racers Colin Edwards, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and James Toseland stopped by to show their appreciation of their efforts.

“Six months ago I contacted the team to see if it was possible for the boys to stop by here on their way from Assen to Laguna Seca,” Bob Starr, General Manager, National Communications, told Roadracingworld.com Wednesday. “Our employees here are working very hard and most of them have pictures of the riders posted in their cubicles and work stations, but they never get the chance to actually meet them. So I thought this would be something to keep up their motivation during these tough times, and the team immediately agreed.”

Rather than have the usual autograph session, Yamaha set up one of Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha YZF-M1 MotoGP racebikes and each and every employee -- and their families -- were given the opportunity to have pictures taken with the four riders and the bike.