Yamaha sent out a press release today officially announcing the five riders that will make up the Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha team in 2016. Not surprising, the team will consist of Cooper Webb, Alex and Jeremy Martin, Aaron Plessinger and Mitchell Harrison, which we’ve known for some time.
Now, the interesting part—they’ve actually announced which coast each rider will compete in!
(Ed Note: Maybe this is a particularly sore spot just for us in the media, but we've been dying for 250 teams to do this for years. Thank you, we can now start talking and writing about what will happen in 250SX this year—but we could do even more if other teams would follow this lead. Thank you, rant over. - Weege)
Cooper Webb will defend his 250SX West Region Championship alongside Alex Martin and rookie Mitchell Harrison. Jeremy Martin and Aaron Plessinger will race the East Region.
Also of note: Brad Hoffman, longtime member of the team as a crew chief, has been named team manager, replacing Steve Lamson.
Below is the entire release.
Cypress, CA – For 2016, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., is proud to introduce the Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha team and its riders who will be competing in the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
Led by team owner Bobby Regan and team manager Brad Hoffman, the Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha riders include reigning Monster Energy AMA 250SX West Champion Cooper Webb, who dominated last year’s Championship with six wins on the season and will defend his title in the West aboard his #1 YZ250F.
Joining Cooper in the 250SX West Championship for 2016 are Alex Martin, who notched his first career Supercross podium at the Oakland Supercross last year, and new rookie teammate Mitchell Harrison, who was third overall amateur at the 2015 Monster Energy Cup and was 2015 Amateur National Champion in the 250A class at Loretta Lynn’s.
Two-time Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross 250cc Champion Jeremy Martin will race in the 250SX East Coast Championship, and he’ll be joined by Aaron Plessinger, who was 2015 250SX and 250MX Rookie of the Year and finished fifth overall in last year’s 250SX West Championship.
Together, the five riders make up one of Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s strongest and most talented teams to date.
“2015 was a fantastic year for Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha, especially with Cooper and Jeremy winning Championships, and Aaron being named Rookie of the Year in both Supercross and Motocross,” commented Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. “It was also Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha’s tenth year as a bLU cRU-supported team. Bobby Regan and his riders and crew have been great ambassadors for the Yamaha brand, and we’re thrilled to have them racing Yamaha YZ250F machines again in 2016.”
Look for Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha in action on Saturday, January 9, as the 2016 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship goes live at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA.
For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, visit www.YamahaMotorsports.com/Racing
