Cypress, CA - For 2016, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., is proud to announce its bLU cRU support teams and riders that will be competing in the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
“The 2016 supercross season is about to get under way, and we’re very excited about our lineup of Yamaha bLU cRU support teams and riders,” commented Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. “Our Yamaha YZ250F and YZ450F are proven race winners and championship machines, and our teams and riders did very well in 2015. We’re looking forward to even bigger and better accomplishments for 2016.”
CycleTrader.com/Rock River/Yamaha
Returning for 2016, long-time bLU cRU support team CycleTrader.com/Rock River/Yamaha, which is led by team owner Mike DuClos and team manager Christina Denney, will compete in 450SX with Tommy Hahn, while Colt Nichols will race in 250SX West and Luke Renzland will race in 250SX East.
Rock River will also continue to operate Yamaha’s successful “Pro Parts” program, offering emergency OEM parts at a discount to all racers at all supercross and motocross events, including the Monster Energy Cup.
51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha
With team owner Carlos Vieira, team director Terry Beal, and team manager Craig Monty at the helm, 51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha also returns for 2016 and will compete in 250SX West with new riders Zach Bell and Australian Hayden Mellross.
Barn Pros Racing/Home Depot/Yamaha
Founded in 2011 by Barn Pros’ Steve Oslund and managed by former pro racer Scot Steffy, the Barn Pros Racing/Yamaha team -- with backing from Barn Pros, the nation’s leading barn manufacturer, and Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S. -- is another bLU cRU support team returning for 2016. They will compete in 250SX West with riders Scott Champion, Austin Politelli, and Cole Martinez.
Blue Buffalo/Slater Skins/Yamaha
Owned and operated by John Slater, founder of Slater Racing Products and the creator of “Slater Skins,” the Blue Buffalo/Slater Skins/Yamaha team, managed by Larry Brooks, returns for 2016. The team’s title sponsor, Blue Buffalo All-Natural Pet Food, is the #1 selling pet food at big-box pet supply retailers Petco and PetSmart. Riders for the team are Michael Leib, who will race in 250SX West, and 2015 AMA Horizon Award Winner Benny Bloss, who will race in 250SX East.
Strikt/U.S. Racing/Yamaha
Led by team owner Billy Urban and managed by three-time national motocross champion Marty Smith, Strikt/U.S.Racing/Yamaha, which is a new bLU cRU support team for 2016, will compete in 250SX West with Ryan Breece as its rider.
3D Racing/Yamaha
Bill Dill, team owner of new bLU cRU support team 3D Racing/Yamaha, will field Justin Rando in 250SX East.
