Yamaha Motor Australia press release:

With the 2017 season underway and most riders and teams putting the final touches on their preparation for the start of the National championships, Yamaha riders competed at a range of local and state events and again with great success.

MX
Dean Ferris (CDR Yamaha) won round two of the Sunshine State Series at Hervey Bay on the weekend on his CDR Yamaha YZ450F. Ferris claimed all three race wins against some serious opposition and combined with his New Zealand preparations, Dean is on track to be 100% at round one of the MX Nationals.

Wilson Todd (DPH Yamaha) and Cody Dyce (Yamalube Yamaha Racing) competed at the Wonthaggi round of the Victorian Gippsland Series to gain valuable track time on the circuit that will host round one of the MX Nationals.

Todd finished second on the day with 1-2-2 results while Dyce was just behind him with 3-9-3 scores in a great hit out for both riders.

Still at Wonthaggi and Yamaha Junior Racings, Ty Sharp won the 9-11 years 85cc class with some fantastic racing. New to Yamaha this year, Ty has slotted in well and doing a great job on the Yamaha YZ85 small wheel.

Across at Shepparton, Sharp’s team mate, Liam Andrews was doing some winning of his own clean sweeping all four motos he contested at a regional event on his YZ250F.

The previous weekend saw the running of the Mountain Man event at Toowoomba’s Echo Valley circuit. Serco Yamaha took the opportunity to put their riders in race conditions and get a good gauge of how things are progressing.

With a combined 450 / 250 field, the underpowered 250 was always going to find it tough on the long uphill hauls of Echo Valley but Jackson Richardson claimed third spot outright behind the 450s of Kirk Gibbs and Luke Clout. Richard Evans took fifth just ahead of Cody Dyce in sixth place and them being the top three 250cc riders making it an all Yamaha MX2 podium.

Off Road
The opening round of the NSW Off Road Championships were contested at a wet and soggy Cessnock over the weekend. All three Active8 Yamaha riders were at the event and getting some last-minute racing under their belts prior to the opening round of the AORC.

Beau Ralston cleaned up on then weekend winning both days in the Pro class. On board his big bore YZ300X, Ralston revelled in the muddy conditions to take the win and a good confidence boost heading into the AORC.

Josh Green was also on the gas but flat tyres halted his charge to the top of the podium on both days. Green still charged on and managed top five results both days.

Wil Ruprecht also started the year off strongly showing good speed in the early stages and tests. It was a good learning curve for Wil to work and race alongside his more experienced team mates and will hold him in good stead come round one of the National championship.

Michael Driscoll dominated the U19 division taking the win both days and with overall results well inside the top 10. Driscoll is straight out of juniors and has a real talent for off road racing. Keep your eye out for the 16-year-old New South Welshmen.