YZF Bucks Back Big-Time!

At times I've been a critic of Yamaha and their unforward-thinking when it comes to their forward-thinking YZ450F and the outdated YZ250F. What once you used to be the team to ride for, the bike to have, has been reduced to no factory teams and aside from JGR (who's clearly trying very, very hard to win) teams that have left something on the table. 

And one look at the results each weekend from the nationals and supercrosses and you can see that the privateers are running away from blue like at no other time since, well, since Yamaha went with blue as a color. Outside of the sponsored teams, it's hard to find one guy (especially in the 250's) who just chooses to be on blue.

Well, in a nice move Yamaha has decided to try and do something about that in announcing their 2013 contingency program that now pays all the way back to 20th in SX (everyone in the main) and an incredible 40th in MX (in both classes!). Just to give you an idea of how it used to be, it was top three only in 2012. Yeah, like those guys getting top three needed the Yama-bucks right? The total payout is only $2500 more per class this year but it's spread way, way down to the riders that can actually use the money.

I applaud this move as most OEM's announce these massive numbers for contingency knowing that they aren't going to have to pay out any of it really. Not so with this program with those deep paybacks.  So golf claps for Yamaha and this should help a lot in getting more bikes on the track and more exposure. 

Below is the release:

Cypress, CA. September 19, 2012 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is proud to announce its YZ & WR Contingency program for the upcoming 2013 race season.

Yamaha’s contingency program has always been designed to support and recognize those individuals who chose to go to the starting line aboard a Yamaha motorcycle. For 2013, Yamaha Motor Corporation has again expanded the number of events and series in key regions and states bringing the total available winnings to over $3.5 million dollars. Coverage includes Motocross, Supercross, Off-Road, Enduro, Hare Scrambles, Grand Prix, and Flat Track events.

While the Off-Road and Amateur segments both see substantial increases, by far the biggest change is in Professional Supercross and Motocross. In an effort to reach every Yamaha racer in the field, the contingency payout has been increased to include the top 20 riders at all AMA Supercross events and the Monster Energy Cup, as well as the top 40 riders at all AMA Professional Motocross events. Make a main event at a Supercross, or qualify for the start of a Motocross National on an eligible 2012 or 2013 model YZ, and you earn a chunk of cash! In addition, Yamaha will continue its successful “Pro Parts” program through Rock River Powersports at all 2013 Supercross and Outdoor National events, with emergency parts available at a special price to help keep YZ riders on the track.

As a further commitment to racers who choose to ride YZs and WRs, Yamaha will continue to have a large presence at premier amateur and regional events throughout the year with our onsite National Trackside Support Dealers: Thousand Oaks Powersports (West), Rock River Powersports (Central), and Triangle Cycles (South East). These elite Dealers will be present to support Yamaha riders with any technical assistance and replacement parts that they may need to achieve their racing goals.

“Yamaha is very excited to ‘Up The Ante’ with our 2013 YZ/WR Contingency program, putting payouts where it will help Yamaha riders the most, regardless if you’re a pro racing inside a stadium or an amateur honing your skills at your local track, everyone who races a 2012 or 2013 YZ or WR will be eligible for their share of the Yamaha Contingency”, according to Mike Guerra, Racing Department Manager.

For complete information and how-to register for the more than $3.5 Million Dollars available as part of the 2013 YZ/WR Contingency program, please visit Yamaha’s official website at http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/racing/2013_YZWR_Contingency.aspx starting September 19, 2012. Here you will find detailed event, race and individual payouts