GREVIEW Ric
Johnson Track Techni ues Clinic
e
Buyers of new Yamaha yz or WR models are eligible to attend the technique clinic.
Upon completion of the course, each student receives a diploma and a free T -shirl
Johnson walked the track with the students, pointing out which lines he felt were best
,,
By Chris Jonnum
hen Yamaha introduced their
1993 motocross bikes, they were
nearly as excited about a couple
of their incentive programs as they were
about the new YZS. To help promote
their highly touted all-new YZSO, 125
W
and 250 models, Yamaha decided to
expand their contingency program and
to supply early buyers of new YZS with
a $400 spare parts kit. In addition, they
contracted multi-time Supercross and
National MX Champion Rick Johnson to
instruct a series of motocross technique
classes, which are free to buyers of new
Johnson devotes the majority of the time in each school to classroom-type instruction.
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Yamaha YZ and WR models. Johnson
rode for Yamaha and won a 250cc
National MX title in 1984 before moving
over to Team Honda in '86.
"It was Yamaha's Larry Griffiths who
first approached me with the idea of
teaching a school," said Johnson, who
has recently been contesting the Mickey
Thompson Stadium Off-Road Series in a
Chevrolet truele. "I've had some extra
time on my hands racing trucks, and I
thought it sounded lilce a great idea, but I
felt Iilce I should tell Honda about it
before I made my decision. When I didn't
even get a response, I took that as an
okay to go with Yamaha. I didn't burn
any bridges when I left Yamaha, and I
hope I didn't bum any with Honda."
The classes, officially called the Ricky
Johnson Track Techniques Oinics, take
place at different tracks around the
country, and Yamaha recently invited us
to sit in on a day of instruction at Barona
Oales Raceway in southern California.
Eager to glean any tips we could from
one of the greatest motocross racers of
all time, we gratefully accepted.
What we were most struck by when
the class started was the wide range of
ages and riding abilities in the students.
Everyone from Expert class mini pilots
to Beginner-division Vets was in atten-
