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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1457907
Yamaha Celebrates History With Special Daytona Livery Y amaha says it is celebrating its return to this weekend's 80th Daytona 200 with special 60th anniversary red and white livery for Attack Performance Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team riders Jake Gagne and Cameron Peterson's Attack Perfor- mance Yamaha R6s. Yamaha's deep-rooted "Spirit of Challenge" was born from the company's first racing success in 1955 at the Mt. Fuji Ascent Race in Japan, which oc- curred just weeks after its first product, the YA-1, was introduced to the world. Then, in 1972, a young Californian, Don Emde, son of 1948 Daytona 200 winner Floyd Emde, took his Yamaha TR3 road racer to a stunning victory on the high banks, marking the first Daytona 200 victory for Yamaha and beginning a 13-year streak for the brand. In addition to that debut victory 50 years ago, Yamaha riders swept the podium. The brand has gone on to record the most wins of any manufacturer at the historic event, amassing a total of 27 vic- tories over the past five decades. "March 12, 1972, holds a true lifetime memory for my entire family and myself, as working to- gether, we took that little TR3 Ya- maha giant-killer to victory," said Don Emde. "I took the check- ered flag about five or six bike lengths ahead of the second- place rider, and the feeling of that victory 50 years ago remains fresh to this very day! I still must credit my dad, who instilled in me that my biggest goal in racing was always very possible, and that day proved him right." Yamaha looks to carry on that winning tradition as it returns to racing at Daytona International Speedway in 2022. "Yamaha is very proud to have the most wins by a manufacturer in the renowned Daytona 200," said Tom Halverson, Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS. "Many of these wins were legendary, and none came easy. We are very excited that Attack Performance decided to take on this challenge in which every team member is actively involved. We are looking forward to getting back to the beach!" CN IN THE WIND P34 The Attack Performance Yamaha R6s that Jake Gagne and Cameron Peterson will be riding at the Daytona 200 will feature the special 60th anniversary livery.