YART taps Aussie talent

It’s an Austrian team competing on the world stage, but the 2013 rider line-up for the Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) will feature a distinct Aussie flavour. The team will be contesting the 2013 FIM Endurance World Championship with a four-rider outfit, with 2012 team member Igor Jerman, 37, to be joined by Japan’s Katsuyaki Nakasuga, 31, and Australia’s Josh Waters, 26, and Broc Parkes, 31

The team certainly boasts a fine pedigree. Jerman has won the World Endurance Championship twice and Nakasuga (pictured, centre) has won the All Japan Superbike Championship three times – he also caused a sensation at last year’s MotoGP finale in Valencia (Spain) when, upon replacing an injured Ben Spies, he finished second. Parkes (pictured, left) finished fifth in the 2012 World Supersport Championship (and was runner up in 2007) while Waters (pictured, right), the two-time Australian Superbike Champion, is also set to contest the 2013 British Superbike Championship with teammate James Ellison.

“The opening round of the 2013 season, the 24hr Bol d’Or in Magny Cours, France, will see the two Australians Waters and Parkes teamed with Jerman,” states a Yamaha Racing press release. “For round two, The 8 Hours of Suzuka, the two Australians will ride again but this time teamed with local hero Nakasuga. For round three, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben, in Germany, Nakasuga is under discussion to ride again, joined by Jerman and Waters. The final round of the season, the 24 Heures Moto at Le Mans, France, will see Jerman, Parkes and Waters back together again,” it continues.

YART Team Manager Mandy Kainz said the solid line-up would give the team every chance of success in 2013. “We have won every race in the World Endurance calendar apart from Suzuka,” he said. “With Nakasuga, Waters and Parkes together we undoubtedly have a team that should be a favourite for victory. Last year Katsu (Nakasuga) was the fastest in training and Josh delivered the fastest race lap. With Broc also on board we have the right team to deliver Yamaha a nice victory. We haven’t been so fortunate since winning the World Championship in 2009, but the tide must turn to our advantage again at some point!” he added.

2013 FIM ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Rd 1, April 20-21, Bol d’Or, France
Rd 2, July 28, 8 Hours of Suzuka, Japan
Rd 3, August 18, 8 Hours of Oschersleben, Germany
Rd 4, September 21-22, 24 Heures Moto, Le Mans, France