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Yamaha Turn§ 50!
If Yamaha's corporate communications manager Bob
Starr ever offers to help plan your birthday bash, take
him up on it. The man throws one hell of a party.
With I 100 dealers and 3300 people in attendance,
Yamaha rolled out the red carpet at Mandalay Bay Resort
and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monday, June 13,
celebrating its 50th year anniversary with a rock and roll
celebration that featured surprise appearances by the
B-52s and Huey Lewis and the News.
The night was filled with all the glitz that could be
expected on Yamaha's 50th anniversary, and the company
paraded out its greatest champions to help the dealers
celebrate. Among the guests were World Champions Wayne
Rainey, Eddie Lawson, Steve Baker, Kel Carruthers, Kenny
Roberts (in a video-taped congratulatory speech) and Scott
Russell; and National Champions Broc Glover, Rick Johnson,
Thomas Stevens, Mike Bell, Chad Reed, Aaron Gobert, Doug
Dubach, Tom Kipp, Jamie James, etc. - the list long and
impressive, reading like a who's who of Yamaha Legends.
On the previous night, Yamaha introduced its newest models
to its dealers, with the Monday night celebration wrapping up
the 2006 Yamaha Dealer Show. The Yamaha display area also
featured several important models and race bikes from
Yamaha's storied history.
(Above) Huey Spr_tls
the News: Huey Lewis
and the News fallawed
the B-52s on stage at
Mandalay Bay.
(Left) Ya....... Mofoaoo..,
Old .... NeWi Doug
Henry, Gory Janes, Chad
Reed, Mike Bell, Rick
Johnson and Brae Glover.
(Right) YaMaha
Motocross, Circa 1977:
Mike Bell, Rick Burgett
and Broc Glover are a
big part of Yamaha's
motocross history.
(Left) A Part of T_m
Australia: AMA
Superstock Champion
Aaron Gobert and his
wife, Melanie, celebrated
with Yamaha and its
other champions.
(Right) Blacks B_ch
Surf T__, Circa 1980:
Broc Glover, Cycle News
editor Paul Carruthers
and Rick Johnson brag
about who caught the
biggest waves at La Jolla
• bock in the day.
80
JUNE 29, 2005 •
CYCLE NEWS
