#19 Returns to Blue & White
For Immediate Release:
Van Nuys, CA 5-18-05

Cypress, CA – May 17, 2005 – Yamaha Motor Corporation is proud to announce the return of the legendary Doug Henry – #19 – to the Blue and White team to spearhead a new Graves Motorsports/Yamaha AMA Supermoto effort. The announcement comes just in time to help Yamaha celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

Joining Doug on the factory-supported team will be Mark Burkhart, who will be returning this year after a 6th place overall finish last season. Henry will pilot the powerful YZ450F while Burkhart will compete in the new 250 class aboard the revolutionary YZ250F.

“We are very excited to put this team together” said Keith McCarty, Yamaha Racing’s Division Manager. “Henry and Burkhart are two of the most skilled riders in Supermoto, and we’re pumped to have them riding Yamaha’s. We are also thrilled to expand our relationship with Graves Motorsports in yet another racing arena, as their professionalism and excellent efforts with the R1 in capturing the AMA Superstock Championship shows.”

The team’s YZ’s will feature race-proven Dunlop tires and each rider will sport Thor Supermoto riding gear. The first AMA Supermoto National is scheduled for June 4th at the Road America race track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.