Yamaha’s bLU cRU racers had a successful season racing side-by-sides and ATVs this year, from big-name desert races like King of the Hammers to smaller national racing series. Yamaha offers contingency money for its YXZ1000R and Wolverine RMAX2 1000 UTVs, which meant success meant nice paydays for winning racers.
Yamaha kicked 2023 off on a high note with Kyle Anderson winning the Pro Stock N/A UTV class at King of the Hammers in a Weller Racing–prepared RMAX. Anderson managed two laps of the course, and was the only driver in his class to manage two laps.
In the seven-round Mid-America Outdoors racing series, Owen VanEperen took home top honors in the Pro Stock N/A class. His dad, Randy VanEperen, finished third in the Championship Off Road Tour’s Pro Turbo class in a modified YXZ.
Yamaha really cleaned up in AMA ATV Motocross, where Blue’s racers swept the championship podium on YFZ450Rs. Joel Hetrick won his fourth championship, followed by Bryce Ford and Chad Wienen. Yamaha’s flex is pretty easy to understand in ATV racing, as it is the only OEM still kicking out a true sport ATV.
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