CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF YZ RANGE AND 30 YEARS OF CRAIG DACK RACING
Yamaha Motor Australia had double reasons to celebrate at the recent Queensland Moto Park (QMP) Pro National round with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the iconic YZ range and the impressive 30-year legacy of Craig Dack Racing (CDR). The event brought together former riders, team members and media personnel, creating a memorable gathering under the CDR Yamaha Team awning.
As part of the festivities, Stephen Gall, a Yamaha stalwart with a career spanning four decades, took the spotlight. He brought along his vintage 1974 YZ250A, which stood proudly beside the modern 2024 YZ250. Gall shared captivating anecdotes from his time racing with Yamaha and reminisced about his favourite bikes throughout his illustrious career.
The excitement continued as Craig Dack himself joined the conversation. He expressed his gratitude for the enduring support from long-term sponsors, including Yamaha Motor Australia, Dunlop, Pro Circuit and FOX, the latter presenting the team riders with exclusive apparel to mark this momentous occasion.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made this day so special,” Dack began. “It’s incredibly gratifying to receive recognition for our dedicated efforts over the past 30 years. I still find immense satisfaction in what I do every day, working closely with a team of dedicated, determined, and focused individuals. To all those who have been a part of the CDR journey, I look forward to continuing the tremendously successful journey we embarked upon back in 1993,”
Dack concluded.
The event also saw the unveiling of the race bikes adorned with the distinctive 50th-anniversary livery, reminiscent of the designs showcased on bikes in the US and Europe.
Matt Ferry, Yamaha Sales Manager, added his congratulations, saying, “On behalf of Yamaha Motor Australia and our senior management, we extend our heartfelt congratulations on your remarkable milestone of 30 years running Craig Dack Racing. You have played an integral role in our racing endeavors in Australia, consistently representing Yamaha at the highest level. Achieving 30 years in this sport while running a race team is a remarkable feat and a testament to your unwavering commitment to victory.”
This celebration not only marked Yamaha’s enduring legacy in motocross, but also celebrated the enduring partnership between Craig Dack Racing and Yamaha Motor Australia.