Yamaha Redirects Motorcycle Racing Efforts for 2010

We'd heard rumors of this for a while, but as late as the U.S. Open we were told that there hadn't been a final decision made regarding their 2010 plans. Oh, and for those of you trying to read between the lines (despite the way it reads in the press release), we checked, and no, James Stewart and L&M are not doing out the outdoor series. VMX

Press Release

Cypress California, October 27, 2009…Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S. announced today that it will be re-directing both its Road Racing and Supercross / Motocross motorcycle racing efforts for the 2010 season.

For Supercross and Motocross, Yamaha partner L&M racing will continue to compete in the 450 class with defending AMA World Supercross Champion James Stewart aboard the all-new YZ450F. Additionally, other satellite teams will soon be announced to further compliment and strengthen Yamaha’s off-road racing efforts.

For Road Racing, we will continue to partner with Championship-winning Graves Motorsports who will now assume additional responsibilities for Team Yamaha within the current AMA class structure.

This new direction for our racing efforts for the 2010 season has unfortunately resulted in the elimination of some internal race department positions at Yamaha’s Cypress headquarters.

Racing remains the true life blood and heritage of Yamaha Motor Company and it is with this spirit of challenge that we will continue to race and enable continuous improvement of our products and unparalleled fan enjoyment for years to come.