David Vuillemin to ride for Team MotoworldRacing.com in 450F Nationals

May 12, 2006, 12:53pm

On Sunday, May 21, 2000 — during his first year as a full-time Yamaha factory rider — David Vuillemin won the Hangtown Motocross Classic in Sacramento, California. Vuillemin would ride the blue machines for the Japanese motor company for the next five years before leaving to join the Boo-Koo Honda team for the 2006 AMA Amp’d Mobile Supercross Series. That made for TV marriage didn’t work out too well, Vuilleman and Boo-Koo Honda choosing to part ways during the 2006 stadium tour. For the first time in his professional career, David Vuillemin was out of work.

Until today, Friday, May 12, 2006, that is.

Today it was announced that David Vuillemin will ride a Yamaha YZ450F for Team MotoworldRacing.com in the 12-race AMA National Motocross Championship. Through a deal orchestrated by Motoworld of El Cajon owner Brian Juhnke, No Fear Motocross principal Jeff Surwall and Yamaha, Vuillemin, a three-time 250cc National event winner, will ride heavily modified YZ450F production bikes.

“I’ve known Brian Juhnke since my racing days in Canada,” said Jeff Surwall of No Fear Motocross, the clothing brand Vuillemin will wear this summer. “I knew he had a Yamaha factory support team and thought David and the team would be a great match. David wanted to be back on Yamahas and I went to Keith McCarty and Brian Juhnke and we were able to make the program work.”

Paul Lindsey, Team MotoWorldRacing.com team manager, is looking forward to having Vuillemin join the 250F-based Yamaha factory support team.

“I couldn’t be more excited” enthuses Lindsey. “It’s a great opportunity. Basically Yamaha, David Vuilleman, Jeff Surwall and Brian Juhnke got together, put the program together and the rest is history. It’ll be a challenge and a lot of work, but we’re very excited about the program. David has a lot to prove and he’s excited to be back on Yamahas again. I think it’s going to be a good summer and that David will do well.”

While Vuillemin will not ride factory bikes in the Nationals, Lindsey believes the equipment his team will be able to provide will be highly competitive, adding: “As far as our 250F motors, I’d put them up against anyone’s. I really mean that. We’re going to go to work and try to make David’s 450F motor every bit as good as our 250F motors.”

Coming off a bit of an unwanted vacation, David Vuillemin is quite pleased with his new lot in racing life.

“I’m really excited to be back on Yamaha and with my deal with MotoworldRacing.com,” says Vuillemin. “I’ll be riding pretty much a stock bike with a few pieces added to make it better. Team Yamaha will do my suspension and supply a couple engine parts. I’ll also run an FMF pipe. It should be good. I’ve been riding a lot to get ready for the Nationals and even though I’ve only had one test day, I feel good on the bike. My speed is getting better and my fitness is good. Hopefully I’ll get a good start and be able to ride at the front. I just want to ride my best. I know I wont be able to race with Ricky [Carmichael] and Bubba. That will not be possible. I do, though, want to ride with the other factory guys and be right there in fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place. I’d be fine with that. I’m very thankful to Jeff Surwall and No fear for stepping in and helping me. I raced with No Fear last summer and had a very good experience with them. I also want to thank MotowordRacing.com. I’m really looking forward to Hangtown next weekend.”