Purvines Racing Efforts Bolstered with Increased Yamaha Support and Simi Valley Cycles Partnership
The Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing team heads into 2024 armed with the all-new YZ450FX and a three-pronged title threat with Justin Hoeft, Jack Simpson, and Trevor Stewart / Jan 10, 2024 /
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, (YMUS) is excited to announce increased support for Purvines Racing’s 2024 efforts in the WORCS Series, AMA National Grand Prix Championship (NGPC), and select specialty events on the West Coast. The team also welcomes a new partnership with Simi Valley Cycles to form the Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Racing team. Armed with the all-new YZ450FX, the team heads into 2024 with a talented three-rider roster – defending WORCS Pro 450 Champion Justin Hoeft, 2023 WORCS Pro 250 Champion Jack Simpson, and two-time NGPC Pro 450 Champion Trevor Stewart.
On the heels of a stellar 2023 season with both pro titles in the WORCS Series, the team looks to have an even better year in 2024. Simi Valley Cycles, a leading Yamaha dealer in Southern California, joins forces with the championship-winning program and continues to expand its racing efforts in the off-road discipline. As part of the Yamaha National Trackside Support program, they will also provide trackside support to all Yamaha riders at NGPC, WORCS, and premier Amateur MX events.
Reigning WORCS Pro 450 Champion Hoeft returns in 2024 looking to defend his crown and campaign for top honors in the NGPC Pro 450 class. The Californian enjoyed a successful debut season with the team last year, scoring three wins and a total of seven podiums to secure the title at the WORCS Series season finale. He also showed strength in the NGPC series, formerly known as the Big 6, scoring a pair of podiums and ending the year top-five in the points standings.
Also returning for his second season with the team, Simpson will move up to the premier class in 2024. The Australian dominated the competition last season in the WORCS Pro 250 Championship. He scored four wins and nothing below a runner-up finish aboard the YZ250FX to secure the title at the penultimate round in Mesquite, Nevada. He also was a championship contender in the NGPC series, leading the Pro 250 class the whole season but ultimately finishing in the runner-up spot in a down-to-the-wire title fight at the series finale. With some time racing 450s back home in Australia, Simpson is eager to kick off his rookie season in the WORCS and NGPC Pro 450 Championships.
Stewart is also ready to kick off the 2024 season and returns for his third year with the team. In addition to back-to-back NGPC Pro 450 Championships in 2018 and 2019, he was crowned the 2022 World 2-Stroke Open Pro Champion. Despite starting last season with an injury, the Southern Californian had a solid year in the WORCS Pro 450 Championship, scoring four top-five finishes to end the year seventh overall. This year Stewart will focus his efforts on the NGPC Pro 450 Championship and will race select WORCS rounds. He will also race some premier motocross events - Mammoth Motocross, World 2-Stroke Championship, and make a run at the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch.
The Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing team would like to thank its partners for their support: Purvines Racing, Yamaha Racing, Simi Valley Cycles, Countrywide Estate Planning, Yamalube, Dunlop, FMF Racing, Rekluse Clutches, Seat Concepts, 6D Helmets, Ryan Abbatoye Designs Graphics, Nitromousse, Bulletproof Designs, Works Connection, ARC Levers, IMS, BRP Moto, Funnelweb Filters, Factory Chassis Parts, AME Grips, AXP Skidplates, Acerbis, Antigravity Battery, Matrix Concepts, DDC Racing Sprockets, Bolt MC Hardware, SKF seals, RK Chain, Dubya Wheels, Twisted Development Racing, Mo Tool Slacker Gauge and Modified Machine Works.
Donnie Luce – Amateur MX/ ATV / Off-Road Coordinator for YMUS
“We’re pleased to announce the expansion of our Off-Road Racing efforts on the West Coast in 2024 with increased support for Purvines Racing in the WORCS Racing and NGPC Championships. 2023 was a great season for the team, with WORCS titles in both pro classes, and we look forward to an even better year with all three riders racing the premier class aboard the all-new YZ450FX.
“We’re also happy to announce the team’s new partnership with Simi Valley Cycles, who will also be on hand at these series’ events to offer trackside support to all Yamaha riders as part of the Yamaha National Trackside Support program.”
Duane Kubes - Simi Valley Cycles General Manager
“Simi Valley Cycles is truly excited about this new partnership with Purvines Racing for the upcoming 2024 season. Racing is in our DNA, and we have enjoyed a lot of success in premier motocross events. So with the help of Donnie Luce at Yamaha and Ron Purvines, we are mostly excited to bring more off-road WORCS and NGPC #1 plates home to Yamaha, where they all belong.”
Collin Woolsey - Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing Team Manager
""We are very excited about the 2024 season with increased support from Yamaha and having Simi Valley Cycles on board. Last year was a great season, winning both WORCS Pro titles, and we feel it will be an even better year with all three riders back for 2024 and the all-new YZ450FX. We look forward to working with the entire Simi Valley Cycles crew and having Yamaha in our corner to defend the WORCS Pro 450 Championship, chase the NGPC title, and much more.”
Justin Hoeft - Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing
“I’m super excited to sign with Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing for 2024. I had an excellent season in 2023, and I hope to carry that momentum into this year to defend my title and win more races aboard the new YZ450FX. I had a good first round in Honolulu Hills and came back to finish second. We’re just going to continue working hard and staying consistent to have a strong and successful season in 2024.”
Jack Simpson - Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing
“I am stoked about the opportunity to be riding for Purvines again for my second year and moving up to the 450 class. After a successful year on the 250 with Purvines, winning the WORCS (Pro 250) Championship, and coming runner-up in the NGPC (Pro 250) Championship, the 450 campaign is an exciting and new opportunity for me. I haven’t raced a 450 here in the U.S., but I am definitely looking forward to battling up front, being consistent, and striving for great results. That’s my goal for the season.”
Trevor Stewart - Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing
“I’m heading into my third year with the now Purvines Yamaha Simi Valley Cycles Racing team, and I am so pleased to be working with such an amazing group of people. The talent, work ethic, and dedication that everybody involved has to compete and win at a high level is outstanding. I’m coming in with nothing but hopes for a title shot this year. I’m healthy and ready to race. I’m really looking forward to my program this year and racing the NGPC series, select WORCS events, and also making a run at Loretta Lynn’s, Mammoth, and other Amateur Nationals across the U.S. to make sure the bLU cRU is on top. Let’s go racing!”
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company`s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC), with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).