Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128387
and now Valentino Rossi, each of which have won World Championships for Yamaha throughout our 50-year history. ''At Yamaha, our business is based on three key words: passion, kondo and the future. Passion is what each of us shares in the heritage that has built this company for 50 years. Passion is what we share when Valentino Rossi kisses his MI after a victory. And passion is the underlying force that will guide us even further into the future. "Kondo is the over- whelming sense of enjoyment, excitement and emotion each rider Y amaha held a 50th anniversary celebration media/industry party at the image that we have today." Reigning MotoGP World Champion Rick Burgett, Broc Glover and Doug Henry were joined by Supercross stars Mike Bell, Damon Bradshaw and Pierre Karsmakers. Also in honor of its 50th anniversary, Yamaha's AMA Superstock and Supersport teams rolled out in yellow, black and white "bumblebee" livery on Sunday, July 10. The classic color scheme was to be used only during Sunday's racing action at the U.S. GP at Mazda Raceway in Monterey, California. The color scheme met with approval of the fans in the paddock, who immediately flocked to the riders and the machines for photo opportunities. Reigning AMA Repsol Superstock Champion Aaron Gobert said that it was great to be a part of the one-off event. "It's cool," Gobert said. "To have the GP riders here looking the same and for all of us to be just one big family proves what Yamaha believes in. We're all together." The team will revert back to its standard blue and white racing scheme for the next round of the AMA Superbike Series at MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, July 22-24. feels whenever they experience any Yamaha Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey on Valentino Rossi attended the event, and Friday night, July 8, during the U.S. GP weekend, hosting about 1000 people. Among the attendees were 25 Yamaha racing champions from the past..)lJld present, including six World Champions, spanning four decades. "We wanted to make the point that all when given the opportunity to speak to the crowd, stated: "Yamaha riders are the best in the world." Yamaha Motor Company chairman Toru Hasegawa opened the festivities with a rousing speech to a packed audience, filled with legends in virtually every imaginable disci- of the champions that were there were pline of motorcycle racing. extremely instrumental in making Yamaha Motor Company the success that it is "Yamaha Motor Company is honored to provides for our riders, have a proud history, rich with innovation race fans and customers and leadership, based largely on our strong racing heritage," Hasegawa said. "This racing heritage is proven by names such as Kel Carruthers, Steve Baker, Giacomo Agostini. Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey throughout the world." From the off-road today:' said Bob Starr, national communica- tions manager for Yamaha. "We thought this was a very fitting way to express our appreciation to them and to what they con- tributed to our racing heritage and the product. This sense often leaves meaningful memories that will last for the rest of their lives. ''And finally, the future is about our vision for the next 50 years and the unlimited boundaries and inspiration that racing scene, former motocross Champions Gary Jones, Marty Moates, Jeff Emig, The Yamaha AMA team, decked out in yellow, black and white. Brad Pitt: MotoGP Fan Brad Pitt was the most sought after of the stars who came out to watch the Red Bull u.s. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the actor making his way to the grid to wish Nicky Hayden luck just prior to the start ofthe race. Other notables who were in attendance were Oscar winner Adrien Brody and sitcom star Matt LeBlanc. Grand Prix legend Randy Mamola also kept the Ducati two-seater MotoGP bike busy all weekend, giving two-up rides to the stars. Mamola scared the daylights out of actors Gina Man Jensen, Orlando Jones and Brooke Mueller on Sunday. "Dude, seriously, you've got to do this next year, seriously," Jones told Brody. "If you're into bikes or speed, this is just the pinnacle. The G-force is incredible; if you fight it, it's horrible. You've got to go with it, because you don't have a choice - it's G-force, it's going to win." Brad Pitt wishes Nicky Hayden luck prior to the U.S. GP. 12 JULY 20,2005 • CYCLE NEWS