Cypress, CA (11/23/2011) -
CYPRESS, Calif. – November 23, 2011 –
Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., made its annual
donation to the Feed the Children charity Friday,
November 18 at Yamaha’s corporate headquarters
in Cypress, Calif. Company officials presented
two checks totaling $25,000 along with a truck
load of donated items to the organization. With
hundreds of Yamaha employees cheering them on,
Star Touring and Riding Association members
aboard Yamaha and Star motorcycles received
a police escort on their way to the local Feed
the Children facility with boxes of donated
items strapped to the back of their bikes. As
part of the festivities, Yamaha also celebrated
a successful 2011 racing season with several
championship-winning Yamaha Race Team members
in attendance.
“The annual Feed the Children and Race
Team celebration is something everyone at Yamaha
looks forward to each year,” said Bob
Starr, Yamaha general manager of motorsports
communications. “As we move into the holiday
season, it’s a great time to reflect upon
the hard work and donations collected over the
year that have a direct impact on families in
need. Thanks to all of the Yamaha employees
and the Star Touring and Riding Association
for their efforts.”
ATV racing champions Dustin Nelson and Walker
Fowler were on hand to celebrate their successful
ATV racing seasons. Both Nelson and Fowler boasted
perfect campaigns: Fowler closes out the 2011
GNCC series with the XC2 championship, going
undefeated and notching a record 13 straight
wins. Nelson was also perfect and clinched his
fifth QuadX Championship after winning all eight
races in the series.
Dustin Nelson’s 2011 QuadX season started
with a mud race – not exactly how he planned
to begin the season. Just hoping to make it
through the difficult race, Nelson and his YFZ450R
were victorious, beginning his winning streak.
Nelson credits the GYTR-equipped engine for
powering him and his YFZ450R to great starts,
as well as providing reliable power that allowed
him to lead the pack race after race.
“Coming out of that first mud race with
a win was a great way to start the season. The
smallest mistake can derail your entire season,”
said Nelson. “After winning that race,
I started to build the momentum and confidence
that carried me through the season and onto
the championship.”
Joining Nelson at the Yamaha event was GNCC
XC2 champion and Yamaha-sponsored rider, Walker
Fowler. With a record 10 GNCC Class Championships,
Fowler is no stranger to the podium, but his
perfect XC2 season aboard the YFX450X is something
that had never been done before.
Punctuating Fowler’s standout season
was recognition by the entire racing community
as he received the industry’s highest
honor, the ATV Athlete of the Year Award, at
the annual AMA Awards Championship Banquet on
Sunday, November 20 in Las Vegas.
“This was a dream season for me. I’m
just a regular guy who happens to go fast on
an ATV,” said Fowler. “The YFZ450X
is the best out there and the company’s
support for me and the sport overall is really
amazing.”Although unable to attend, Traci
Cecco was recognized for her eighth GNCC Women’s
Series Championship. In addition to Yamaha’s
ATV racing champions, motorcycle stalwarts Josh
Hayes (Superbike series), Bill Dixion (XDL series)
and Sam Halbert (GNC series) were also recognized
for their championship seasons.
Yamaha has worked with Feed the Children for
more than 10 years raising several hundred thousand
dollars and feeding tens of thousands of children.
This is the fifth year Yamaha employees and
Star Touring members made the ride from Yamaha
to the local Feed the Children office to drop
off donated supplies. Feed the Children is an
international nonprofit relief organization
that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other
necessities to individuals, children and families
who lack those essentials.
About Yamaha Motor
Corp., U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a
leader in the motorsports market, makes the
toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and
Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding
product offerings also include motorcycles,
outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles,
boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines,
accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products
are sold through a nationwide network of dealers
in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress,
Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha
also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia,
as well as factory operations in Tennessee and
Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit
www.yamaha-motor.com.
