Image: Simon Makker.

Yamaha Motor Australia has made the shock announcement it will exit the Australian Supercross Championship (ASX) ahead of the 2014 season, including the CDR Yamaha, Serco Yamaha and GYTR Yamaha teams.

The announcement comes just one week after Motorcycling Australia (MA) parted ways with promoter International Entertainment Group (IEG) in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), casting the 2014 ASX into doubt.

“Due to ongoing concerns surrounding the current state of the Australian Supercross Championship (ASX), Yamaha Motor Australia and all three of its factory-supported race teams, CDR Yamaha, Serco Yamaha and GYTR Yamaha, will not be participating in the 2014 Australian Supercross Championship as it currently stands,” a statement confirmed.

“The lack of precise, confirmed information surrounding the organisation and promotion of the championship has led to this unfortunate position. This is not a decision Yamaha and its’ teams have taken lightly but has resulted through our forced inability to plan and budget for events that cannot be confidently relied upon.

“Yamaha’s racing passion is undeniable and so it is only with careful consideration that we have taken this decision. Should the direction and the promotion of the Australian Supercross Championship change and a new series can provide a sound business plan for future stability and credibility for riders, teams and sponsors, Yamaha Australia may reassess its decision.”

Previously, Yamaha was the first of the factory teams to switch from the former IEG-run Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in 2010 to the series now branded the Australasian Superbike Championship (ASC), run under the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) governing body.

This season the ASC series is regarded as the premier national superbike series, with the four-rider factory Honda team and factory-supported Next Gen Motorsports BMW team also exiting IEG’s series following a controversial past few seasons.

Supercross has also experienced a troubled number of years most recently under the management of IEG through MA, the 2014 season calendar yet to be confirmed less than five months out from the provisionally-scheduled opening round.

Yamaha’s announcement effectively sidelines former multiple-time Open class champion Jay Marmont for 2014, while current Lites champions Serco Yamaha won’t defend the crown with Luke Clout or reigning Under 19s champion Jay Wilson.