All four Yamaha Australia motocross teams have embraced the retro round spirit for round six of the ProMX championship at Coffs Harbour this weekend, with each team revealing a unique and old school look to fit the theme of the day.
When the retro round theme was announced, each of the teams came up with their own concept and have produced some stunning livery that will take motocross enthusiasts back to a different time and provoke fond memories of years gone by.
CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team
Aaron Tanti leads the MX1 championship in a remarkable season so far. He has clearly been the most improved rider in the field, and he continues to do the hard yards during the week to give himself every opportunity for success in the 2022 season. Luke Clout remains on the side-lines but is due back on the bike in the coming weeks to begin preparations for the Australian Supercross Championship later in the year.
At the Coffs Harbour round, his YZ450F will have a slightly different look as the team went with a small 80’s inspired Yamaha graphic and logo. The logo goes back to the early 80’s when the Yamaha’s first move from yellow to white and the red speed block became the simple Yamaha motocross was known for.
“We have a range of partners within our team that makes something like this a little more challenging but we were happy to come up with a concept that worked for all parties and participate in a round that promises to be a lot of fun and a throw back to some old times with plenty of ex riders and racers in attendance,” says CDR’s Craig Dack.
The CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Kit was supplied by: Fleetwood Print Group.
Serco Yamaha
The livery brings to life the look and vibe of the 80’s motocross scene in Australia and the team haven’t cut any corners with seat covers and rims tied into the graphic look of their YZ250F’s.
“Is there a more iconic looking bike in Australian motocross than the Marlborough Yamaha bikes raced in the Mr Motocross series in the 80’s?” asks Serco’s Gavin Eales.
“I recall watching riders like Craig Dack and Peter Melton race these unique looking bikes that just stood out from the rest of the field. I also think of the work of the mechanics of the time must have done as the plastic and rims were painted which would have been a nightmare to maintain. Modern decals and stickers make that job so much easier and I congratulate our graphics department on doing such a great job on the bikes for this round.”
The Serco Yamaha kit was supplied by: Serco Performance Products
Yamalube Yamaha Racing
The Yamalube Yamaha Racing Team wanted to combined their simple, corporate look and inhouse feel of the team and looked at other Yamaha teams around the world that have been able to make that look work. Enter the Yamaha US look of the 2004 where Chad Reed, Tim Ferry and David Vuilliemin headed lined a star-studded team on very clean blue and white YZ250 two strokes.
The Yamalube Team took inspiration from that and transformed it across to the current YZ250F with great success.
“We have never been a team with loud and flashy graphics so the Factory US look of 2004 – 2005 was the perfect retro kit for us,” explains team manager, Mike Ward. “The team at Kustom MX did a great job and the bikes look great as we even manged to get the old Yamalube and GYTR logos as well as the number font of the US team at the time.”
The Yamalube Yamaha Racing Team kit was supplied by: Kustom MX
In team news, Alex Larwood will miss the final three rounds as he recovers from a shoulder issue that has been slow to recover.
WBR Yamaha
Back in the early 90’s, the Yamaha team in Australia had just moved to be under the management of Craig Dack and was also supported by Peter Jackson. With a national deal in place, the bikes went from their production based white and magenta colours at the time to a blue, yellow and red look to coincide with their sponsors corporate colours.
The WBR Yamaha team has bought the PJ look of the time back to life with a stunning looking graphics kit that will stand out in the pits and on the track.
“I was a kid that stood trackside in the early 90’s and the PJ bikes were one of my first memories of motocross growing up so its cool to be able to take that memory and transform it onto our race bikes,” says Travis Whitten.
“We have always done something for the retro themed rounds but I think this is a coolest design so far and I can’t wait to see how it looks on the track.”
The WBR Yamaha kit was supplied by: MX-INK.
With Ryder Kingsford out for the season with knee surgery, WBR Yamaha has enlisted Hugh McKay to come in for the final three rounds and ride alongside Levi Rogers.
The retro round theme takes place at round six of the Pro MX championship at Coffs Harbour and with a host of former MX stars in attendance as well as some old school racing categories throughout the day, it will be a cracking round and one to remember.