Yamaha proposes junior race series

Finding the next Mighty Mick Doohan or Casey Stoner is not always easy, but a new one-model race series aimed at young riders could be the next prove to be a fertile base for up and coming knee-draggers.

Yamaha Motor Australia is looking at a new one-model race series using YZF-R125s, where Yamaha Racing Development (YRD) team will basically take care of everything, such as the bike servicing, transport, support and so forth.

The proposed annual fee would be $17,000 per rider, which includes the bike and all other services, and at least five competitive rounds (possibly up to eight rounds according to Yammy), which would take place over three days including a full practice day, a couple of qualifying sessions and six races.

"Riders are only required to supply their own transport, accommodation, evening meals and a mechanically capable helper," reads the Yamaha media statement.

The rider and helper are even supplied with a set of pit wear, and YRD also takes care of catering on race day with brekkie, lunch and "refreshments". Which is probably foie gras with grated truffles.

"Everything else required for racing - including fuel and one set of Dunlop control tyres per round - is paid for by each rider at the
start of the season. The only extra cost would be crash repairs."

Yamaha says the proposed series is aimed at young teenaged riders (13-15 years of age), probably junior MX/dirt track/short circuit riders who may have wanted to get into road racing but didn't have the funds to buy a race bike, maintain it, transport it and so on.

"Unlike other one model series," reads the press statement, "the playing field is designed to be entirely level and all hassles normally associated with road racing are removed. All you do is turn up and ride."

In an interesting move, YRD would also "guarantee total equality of machinery and tyres" by getting riders to draw out random keys before each race, meaning that riders would be swapping bikes between most events.

Adjustments will be allowed on suspension spring preload, ride height, gearing and tyre pressures.

Each age group would ostensibly be awarded prizes if the new Australian race series went ahead, with the a possible prize being "...a satellite supported ride on a FX600 or Superstock 600 YZF-R6 for the next year," says Yamaha Motor Australia.

In theory, the idea is a fairly solid one. At the very least it would reduce the costs involved in racing and avoid the problem of buying and selling race bikes.

Random motorcycles for riders on race day should also deliver a level playing field, where the emphasis is on rider skill and racecraft rather than how cashed up the team is, and whether they can afford better bikes.

This one-model race series set out by Yamaha for juniors is not set in stone however. "In order to kickstart this concept we seek serious expressions of interest," says Yamaha.

Those who are interested in the idea should email at Yamaha Racing Development yrd@bigpond.com before the end of June 2010.