Cypress, CA October 24, 2012 – The final round of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing series was a memorable one for the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha team, as 19-year-old Cameron Beaubier and 17-year-old Garrett Gerloff each piloted their Yamaha YZF-R6s to wins in their respective race classes at NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans, LA.
Cameron won Saturday’s AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Race One and finished second in Sunday’s Race Two and, on the strength of his one-two finish, he was named “The Big Kahuna” of the event and was awarded the coveted surfboard trophy. He was also The Big Kahuna at the previous DSB round at Homestead-Miami Speedway, so Cam and his girlfriend Kayla Weaver can now hit the waves together up in northern California where they both live.
Meanwhile, Garrett battled back from a technical issue with his #96 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 during Saturday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race One, and he won Sunday’s Race Two to finish out the season on a high note.
Tommy Hayden returned to DSB action aboard his #22 R6, but he was still unfortunately feeling the effects of the multiple injuries that he suffered in a crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Tommy put in a yeoman’s effort at NOLA, and he finished 10th and 7th on the weekend.
For highlights of “The Y.E.S. Men” in New Orleans, check out this video:
You’ll also meet Kyle Guglielmetti, Skye Girard, and Geoff Cesmat, who are all crewmembers on the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team. The “three amigos” give you insights into their jobs, while also telling you about some of the parts and equipment that they rely on from the team’s sponsors, including Ringers Gloves, Dynojet Dynamometers, and Dynojet Power Commander Quick Shifters.
Look for more videos to come from both of the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams: Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha.
Website – www.gravesport.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GravesMotorsports
Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/Gravesport
Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/user/GravesMotorsports
New Orleans, LA October 5, 2012 – Things got off to a great start for the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams on the first day at the Big Kahuna New Orleans as Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha and Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha riders earned provisional pole position in two GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing classes.
In AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike, three-time reigning series champion Josh Hayes got down to business right away aboard his #1 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 and led provisional-pole qualifying from start to finish. It was another dominant display by the Mississippi native, on a race circuit that is a scant 90 minutes from his hometown in Gulfport.
“It’s great to be riding on a track that’s so close to my home in Gulfport,” Josh said. “Everything’s going well. We’re still sorting out some stuff but, so far, things are good. We got up to speed really quickly and kept putting down consistent laps.”
In AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike, Cameron Beaubier certainly has a flair for the dramatic. He worked diligently throughout the qualifying session and put his #6 Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6 on the provisional pole on his final circulation around the 16-turn, 2.75-mile NOLA Motorsports Park natural road course.
Commenting on his provisional-pole-winning effort, Cameron said, “The start of the session was a little rough, and I was trying to get my laptimes down. I built my confidence up a little bit, and I switched to the hard tire option, which helped a lot. I saw P2 on my pit board, and I was really pushing on my last lap. I”m super-happy to put my R6 on the provisional pole, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Cameron’s Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha teammate Tommy Hayden–in his first race back since suffering a concussion, broken foot, separated shoulder, and rib injuries in a race crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park a month ago–finished provisional qualifying in 15th. When asked if he was feeling the effects of his New Jersey crash, Tommy said, “It’s definitely making it tough. I’ve lost a little bit of strength in my shoulder. That’s the biggest problem. We modified my boot so that helped a little bit with my foot. I’ll see how I feel in the morning. Hopefully, I can improve in final qualifying.”
In AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport, Garrett Gerloff was third-fastest in provisional qualifying, on a track that he’d never set a tire on before, due to the fact that he was injured earlier in the season when AMA Pro Road Racing had an official test at NOLA. About his provisional qualifying session, Garrett said, “The bike feels good, and it’s fast, but we picked the wrong tire for the session. I really like the flow of the track a lot. The more laps I ride on it, the more comfortable I feel, so seat time is important, obviously. I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow.”
——————————————–
Cagey Cameron Goes Cajun As Beaubier Wins Saturday Daytona SportBike Race In New Orleans
New Orleans, LA October 6, 2012 – Cameron Beaubier, the rapidly rising star of the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha team, won Saturday’s AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Race One at NOLA Motorsports Park. For Cameron and his #6 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6, the victory was their seventh out of the past nine races.
In the press conference following his well-earned victory, Cameron said, “I didn’t get the greatest of starts, and I had to work hard to get myself to the front. My Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha team gave me an awesome bike. I’m trying to win as many races as I can before the season ends, and I’m really looking forward to getting back on my R6 for tomorrow’s race.”
Cameron’s teammate Tommy Hayden, in his first race back from suffering injuries in a crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park, was understandably still feeling the effects of the incident that occurred just a month ago. He put in a heroic effort and finished a respectable 10th.
In Saturday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race One, Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha rider Garrett Gerloff had a great race going and had worked himself into 2nd on his #96 R6. Unfortunately, due to an as-yet-unidentifiable mechanical or electrical issue with his bike, he ultimately finished in 15th place. The team has been working to diagnose the problem, and they are determined to resolve the issue and ensure that Garrett’s R6 is ready for Sunday’s SuperSport Race Two.
That race will go green on Sunday at 1:15 PM, and Daytona SportBike Race Two will start at 2:15 PM. All times are Central.
——————————————–
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha Champ Josh Hayes Does That Voodoo That He Do & Wins SuperBike Race One At NOLA Motorsports Park
New Orleans, LA October 6, 2012 – In his first race after winning his third AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship, Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha rider Josh Hayes continued his winning ways by scoring another decisive race victory, this time in Saturday’s Race One at NOLA Motorsports.
Josh, who was riding in front of a large group of family and friends from his hometown in nearby Gulfport, Mississippi, put pride and power on display as he dominated the 18-lap event aboard his #1 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 and took the checkered flag with a lead of more than 10 seconds over the rest of the field. The victory was Josh’s 14th of the season, with one more race to go tomorrow on the 16-turn, 2.75-mile New Orleans road course.
After the win, Josh said, “The first lap, everything went kind of clean, and I hit my marks well, and then I started to get a little gap. I had so many people come out this weekend, and I really wanted to do well for them and all the fans here at NOLA. The Dunlop tires held up well for me on this new surface, and tire wear was really a non-issue, at least for me. Hats off to my crew for giving me a great bike. Fourteen wins so far this season is really a testament to their talents.”
SuperBike Race Two is scheduled to start on Sunday at 3:30 PM Central Time.
——————————————–
Double-G Dominates In The Delta As Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha Rider Garrett Gerloff Wins Final SuperSport Race Of The Season
New Orleans, LA October 7, 2012 – In Sunday’s AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport Race Two at NOLA Motorsports Park, Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha rider Garrett Gerloff won convincingly aboard his #96 Yamaha YZF-R6 and finished off his final race weekend of the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing season in style.
For 17-year-old Garrett, it was his first visit to the 16-turn, 2.75-mile natural road course located within minutes of downtown New Orleans. During the weekend, Garrett quickly acclimated to the new track and, on Sunday morning, he was the fastest rider on the track in the warm-up session. That proved to be a harbinger of things to come later in the day when the light turned green for the start of the race. Garrett was on the gas and proved to be the class of the field as he won by a margin of more than 11 seconds.
After accepting his winner’s trophy, Garrett said, “I got a good start and got away a little bit. That got me feeling really good, and I was able to put down fast lap after fast lap. My Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 was awesome today, and I can’t wait for next year. Hopefully, this win will be a springboard to bigger and better things next year.”
——————————————–
Cameron Beaubier Hangs Ten On His Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha R6 And Is The “Big Kahuna” In New Orleans
New Orleans, LA October 7, 2012 – Sunday’s AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike Race Two at NOLA Motorsports Park was a battle royale between Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha rider Cameron Beaubier and DSB series points champ Martin Cardenas. Cameron diced with the veteran rider several times during the race, and especially on the final lap where the lead changed hands a few times. At the stripe, Cameron narrowly missed earning his second win of the weekend, and he finished a close second.
Based on his win in Saturday’s Race One and his second-place finish on Sunday, Cameron was awarded the surfboard trophy as the “Big Kahuna” in New Orleans, which will sit alongside the other surfboard that he won just two weeks ago as the “Big Kahuna” in Miami.
After the race, Cameron said, “I had a little better start today, but I got shuffled back early in the race. I managed to get myself back up to the front, and I worked hard to stay there. The last lap was a battle. I don’t know if we touched, but it was definitely close racing, and I did everything I could to get the win. The surfboard is awesome, and I guess I’ll have to add surfing to my off-season training program!”
Cameron’s teammate Tommy Hayden soldiered through Sunday’s DSB race aboard his #22 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 and finished in a very respectable seventh place. It was a gutsy effort for Tommy in New Orleans after coming back so soon from the multiple injuries he incurred in his crash at New Jersey Motorsports Park just a month ago.
——————————————–
Like Red Beans And Rice, Winning And Josh Hayes Go Together Perfectly In Sunday SuperBike Race In New Orleans
New Orleans, LA October 7, 2012 – Wrapping up his historic season, Gulfport, Mississippi’s Josh Hayes put the final touches on his third straight AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Championship by winning Sunday’s race at NOLA Motorsports Park. It was the 16th win of the season for Josh and the 33rd SuperBike of his career, which moves him into sole possession of second place on the all-time AMA Pro Road Racing SuperBike wins list.
Like most of Josh’s wins this season, he got a great start, moved to the front, and clicked off fast lap after fast lap, which resulted in a gap of more than nine seconds over the rest of the field when he took the checkered flag.
After celebrating on the top step of the podium at NOLA, Josh said, “It was the perfect way to end an incredible year. I think we’re all basically show-offs at heart, and to have a lot of my family and friends here made it all the more special for me. What a year it’s been for the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha team. My guys are the best.”
As part of the Vortex Racing PINK Campaign, in support of breast cancer research, Josh ran a special, pink-anodized Vortex sprocket on his Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha YZF-R1 throughout the weekend. “I was proud to have that sprocket on my R1,” Josh commented. “My manager Gina Nadeau has been battling breast cancer for a long time, and it felt good to do something to raise awareness of that terrible disease.”
Say “Y.E.S.!” To The Latest Video From The Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha Team
Cypress, CA September 15, 2012 – After a six-month absence from GEICO Motorcycle AMA Road Racing competition, 17-year-old Garrett Gerloff was back in action this past weekend during the American Red Cross Devil’s Showdown at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Garrett came back with a vengeance–or at least with as much vengeance as one of the nicest riders in the paddock can muster–and he piloted his #96 Yamaha YZF-R6 to second-place and fifth-place finishes in the AMA Pro Motorcycle-SuperStore.com SuperSport class.
Garrett Gerloff New Jersey Motorsports Park Graves Motorsports Video Review
For an inside look at Garrett’s return, along with other highlights of the Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha Team at New Jersey, take a look at this video:
You’ll also get to meet Colin Haugh, who heads up the Yamaha Extended Service program. He talks about what the benefits of Y.E.S. to Yamaha owners, as well as how sponsorship of a racing team benefits Y.E.S.
Look for more videos to come from both of the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams: Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha and Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha.
We just finished a few new updates to one of our favorite exhaust system listings and what better way to release it back to our customers than a product special! Now when reviewing our product listing for the EXY-08R6-SOC exhaust systems you will see a “video” tab featuring a video installation “how to” on the product along with fresh images on our 2012 Yamaha R6.
As a bonus and for a limited time the EXY-08R6-SOC and EXY-08R6-SOCP will come with a FREE – ELY-U-EX Exup Eliminator module. A $64.95 value (you must request the special or use the coupon listed below)!
To receive this value go to our website at www.gravesport.com sign in and add the follow two products to your shopping cart.
Once that is done proceed to the “check out” page. At the bottom of that page is a section titled “Redeem a Coupon”. In the blank area type in “r6slip” and then click submit. A discount for $64.95 will then be applied to your shopping cart. This offer is valid for new retail orders only (dealers or works customers not eligible).
Orders can also be placed on the phone “Toll Free” at 855-994-0990 . To see the video direct on our Youtube channel visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pirsK3hiaVc
Graves Motorsports crew chief Gary Dean is never late for the job! In this episode Gary sleeps in to begin the build of a Graves Motorsports AMA Pro Racing spec Yamaha R6 Daytona Sportbike. Watch as Gary quickly assembles this incredible Yamaha into a world class Graves Yamaha race machine. More details of this exact bike build and available products can be found at www.gravesport.com
Graves Motorsports suspension technician Kyle Guglielmetti taking the standard Ohlins Yamaha R6 front and rear suspension kits and building them to Graves Motorsports spec standards. This is the same suspension kits that can be found on Graves’ Yamaha R6 riders Josh Herrin, Tommy Aquino and Garrett Gerloff’s motorcycles. Kyle leaves no part left untouched on the way to world class level sport bike suspension. For complete details on these motorcycle suspension services, visit www.gravesport.com .
Recent press release from Dunlop tires on Team Zyvax WERA race efforts. Zyvax Racing runs Graves Motorsports Yamaha R1 and Yamaha R6 built and equipped motorcycles.
Buffalo, NY-Â Dunlop Tire Company proudly extends its congratulations to the 2010 WERA National Championship winners: National Endurance Champion Team Zyvax, WERA Superbike Expert Champion Brian Stokes and 600cc Superstock Expert Champion Benny Solis.
There was no shortage of spectacular racing action and epic displays of endurance during the 2010 season. Team Zyvax, represented by a combination of riders throughout the season including Ben Bostrom, Chris Clark, Eric Bostrom, Jason DiSalvo, Josh Herrin, Dane Westby, Clinton Seller, Tommy Aquino and Scott Russell, were unstoppable with their Dunlop-fitted Yamaha R1, pulling off a perfect sweep of the National Endurance Championship after finishing on top at all eight rounds in the series. At the four-hour finale at Road Atlanta, Clark, Disalvo and Herrin raced the team’s R1 to victory, cementing the title. Stokes raced his Dunlop-shod Honda CBR1000RR to impressive results, achieving seven WERA Superbike Expert podiums in eight races, including two wins, five second-place finishes and a fourth-place result en route to taking the title. Finishing on top in the points, Solis raced his Dunlop-equipped Yamaha 600 to five 600 Superstock Expert podiums, three times taking the victory and twice placing second.
“This is the best year yet for Team Zyvax,” said JB Layman, Team Zyvax owner. “You could say it was a year of firsts for us for many reasons. It was our first year working directly with Graves Motorsports; our first year running the Yamaha R1; our first year running Dunlop tires; and most importantly, it was the first year we’ve won the WERA National Endurance Championship overall. This season has been so successful because of the hard work and tremendous effort by everyone involved. I’m looking forward to returning to defend the title next year and for the first time running the number one plate!”
Dunlop outperformed all other tire brands in the National Endurance Championship with eight of the top ten teams in the series points on Dunlop tires. Garnering more overall wins in the series than any other brand-in almost every class the overall winner rode on Dunlop tires-Dunlop was represented by a significant percentage of teams that qualified to race.
“Dunlop couldn’t be prouder of Team Zyvax, Stokes and Solis performances this season,” said Sabastian Mincone, Senior Manager, Motorcycle Road Race. “To be a part of Team Zyvax’s success—winning their first National Endurance title in their first year with Dunlop—is a great result for us. Stokes and Solis were solid contenders at every race aboard their Dunlop-equipped race machines and very worthy title winners. We are committed to supporting road racing at all levels in the sport and judging by this year’s results, WERA series racers fared quite well with our support.”
Dunlop would also like to congratulate Tim Bemisderfer, Tim Hunt, Garrett Gerloff, Hayden Gillim, Opie Caylor, Jimmy Merck, Trevor Townsend, David Ur, David Pullen, Taylor Knapp and all of the 2010 WERA riders, on a very successful season.
Dunlop Tires is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S. and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America. With North American operations headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Dunlop has been making and selling high-quality tires in the U.S. since 1923. For more information, visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com.
Team Zyvax is sponsored by Zyvax, Inc, Graves Motorsports and Dunlop. www.teamzyvax.com
Graves Motorsports is a leading motorcycle sport bike parts and accessories manufacturer. Graves Motorsports produces exhaust systems, fender eliminator kits, frame sliders, velocity stacks, engine case covers, engine performance and the leading resource for Dynojet Power Commander + accessories. Graves Motorsports has two locations: Van Nuys, California and Kennesaw, Georgia. www.gravesport.com
Aboard his Team Graves Yamaha YZF-R1, Josh Hayes claimed his first career AMA Superbike championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. on Sunday, Sept. 26. The championship is also the first for Yamaha in America’s premier road-racing class since Thomas Stevens took the crown in 1991. Meanwhile Team Graves YZF-R6 mounted Josh Herrin finished third in the AMA Daytona SportBike championship, while Austin Dehaven won the AMA SuperSport title on his R6.
The Superbike title chase came right down to the final weekend of the season, with Hayes ahead in points but rival Tommy Hayden still able to take the championship if Hayes faltered. Thus, Hayes’ mission for the weekend was the same as it has been all year long – race to win, but this time with extra care. In the first race on Saturday afternoon, Hayes led the most laps and ultimately finished a secure second as his rival Tommy Hayden claimed the victory. The result set up a situation on Sunday where Hayes would win the title with an eighth-place or better finish, even if Hayden won.
Severe weather soaked the area on Sunday morning, and by race time a quarter of the circuit was still damp. Nonetheless Hayes settled into a great ride with the lead pack until Brett McCormick crashed, pushing Hayes off track and dropping him several seconds behind the group. From here though, Hayes rode to an easy seventh-place finish and a very sweet championship. “A huge thank you to Yamaha for bringing me onboard for my first Superbike ride,” he said afterwards. “I am glad I was able to race well and bring home the R1′s first AMA Superbike championship.”
Yamaha road racing team manager Tom Halverson added, “This is probably the best team we’ve ever had, and the effort that everyone has made to win the championship is just incredible. From the machinists to the secretaries back at Yamaha, thank you. The race crew has really been amazing this year too. Josh has been a great rider, and it’s easy to stand behind him because he puts in so much effort.”
Graves Motorsports- ROUND #2 BRIDGESTONE/WERA NATIONAL ENDURANCE, MICHELIN NATIONAL SPRINTS AND PIRELLI SPORTSMAN
(April 9-11, 2010) From the challenging 1.4 mile Talladega Gran Prix in Alabama WERA welcomed the 2010 Bridgestone/WERA National Endurance and the 2010 Michelin/WERA National Sprints. Mother Nature decided that she was happy the series was coming and gave us some of the most wonderful weather we have seen all year. The riders felt all the good vibes and the ambulance never left its parking spot all three days!
On Friday qualifying for the 600cc WERA Superstock Class saw the young riders put down some great times. At the end of the session Garrett Gerloff with a 57.98; next came Graves Motorsports’ Benny Solis, Jr. with a 58.05, then James Dellinger with a 58.88 and Hayden Gillim with a 58.97 the rest of the field was in the high 59s and it looked to be a good race on Sunday.
Saturday the Bridgestone/WERA National Endurance took to the technical track for four hours of non-stop racing. The #7 Zyvax Team on their Graves Motorsports supported Yamaha R6 with riders Dane Westby and Clinton Seller took the win over team mates Ben Bostrom and Chris Clark on their Zyvax #3 Graves Motorsports supported Yamaha R1. Third on the podium was the Hooters/Apex Racing team on their Suzuki 1000 with Tim Hunt, Opie Caylor and Skip Salenius on board. The Lightweight Superbike win went to #27 Team Kinetic on their Suzuki SV650 with riders Chris Parrish, Rob Turner, Mike Wischmeyer and Gill Cutchen. The trophy class was won by #888 V7 All Stars on their Honda 600 with riders Ken Johnson, Scott Lindsay and Barry Pailes.
The action continued in the 600cc Superstock Class with an epic battle between the young guns of JD Beach, Garrett Gerloff, Graves Motorsports 15 year old rider Benny Solis, Jr., Jimmy Merck, Jake Morman, Hayden Gillim, Payton Sassaman and the rest of the field. Beach held the lead for the 16 lap race with Solis and Gerloff right on his tail section. In a last lap attempt to pass the leader Solis and Beach touched and Solis went down. Beach was able to recoup and get back on the track to take the win at the line from Gerloff who sat in the cat bird seat. Solis was fine and would compete later in the day. Gerloff came back to take his win in the 600 Superbike Class with Merck and Solis, Jr. rounding out the podium.
To see all the results from this weekend?s events go to www.wera.com and to see the action register at Motoconnect.net and then watch Motoconnect.tv next week to see all this great action.
Round #3 will be May 22/23 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. Miller Motorsports Park will host the Friday practice for this round. Graves Motorsports will be on hand for this and all WERA events in 2010. See Graves Motorsports WORKS parts technician Weston Gleave trackside at each event supporting riders that use Graves Motorsports championship winning Yamaha R1, Yamaha R6 parts and accessories. For more information on Team Zyvax visitwww.zyvaxracing.com . To view the entire assortment of Graves Motorsports championship winning sport bike parts visit www.gravesport.com
