Little racers

Yamaha has announced plans to launch a one-make race series aimed at newcomers to the sport, using a modified Yamaha YZF-R3.

The Australian based Yamaha Racing Development team has produced a road race kit especially for this model that is designed to get the best out of the twin cylinder 321cc sports bike. The technical regulations are being developed by Motorcycling Australia in conjunction with Yamaha. Allowable modifications to the stock machine are minimal in order to keep costs down. Yamaha plan to offer the bikes and kits as a package at a bargain price that would be well under the cost of building an R3 race bike separately. Racers will contest a minimum of a five round series – as part of the ASBK winter 2016 series beginning in March – with practice, qualifying and three races over the event weekend. Prizes will be provided for each age group commensurate with the level of expertise and achievement with the ultimate prize slated to be a brand new YZF-R6.

The race series is aimed at junior MX, dirt track and short circuit riders who want to try road racing but may be discouraged by the current expense of buying, building, and running a road racing machine. $7,900 buys a YZF-R3 in road trim and a race kit that includes fairing, Akrapovic exhaust, rear sets and lower bars, gearing, suspension mods a race stand and other bits. It’s a wonderful initiative from Yamaha and the little racer can even be purchased through YMF Finance over 12 or 24 months. This may be where the next Casey Stoner comes from! Full details can be found at www.yamaha-motor.com.au