Yamaha Sending Three Young Racers to World Stage at YZ bLU cRU SuperFinale during Motocross of Nations
Capping the 2024 Series of bLU cRU Invitationals, the Three YZ Riders Prepare for the Historic First-Ever International Experience of a Lifetime Hosted by Yamaha / Oct 1, 2024 /
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, has chosen three young racers to represent the United States at the 2024 YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale during the annual Motocross of Nation’s (MXoN) race. The SuperFinale invitation is the first time a major moto brand has hosted riders to MXoN in this way, and is the culmination of Yamaha’s 2024 bLU cRU Invitational races where racers competed for the coveted spots on Team USA at Glen Helen Raceway, Washougal MX Park, and Budds Creek Motocross Park earlier this year.
Winners that will represent Team USA at this prestigious race event include:
- Kade Nightingale: YZ65 class
- Tayce Morgan: YZ85 class
- Chace Lawton: YZ125 class
The three riders each competed fiercely alongside other great racers during the three bLU cRU Invitationals in 2024 and showed incredible performances both on the track and off the track, including their academic standings, history riding Yamaha, and their love for the brand and the sport.
“This summer’s bLU cRU Invitational races spanned across the USA, and we found some impressive talent in every class, from young racers just starting out on a PW50 to veterans racing YZ450F’s in the Vet classes,” said Jennifer Davie, Yamaha’s experiential marketing manager. “With a keen focus on our SuperFinale qualifying classes from all three rounds, our team of judges have discussed all of our 45 qualifiers at length and narrowed the list to the three finalists to join us in the United Kingdom. We are extremely excited to have Kade, Tayce, and Chace join us at this year’s Yamaha SuperFinale!”
Yamaha assembled a judges panel of motocross industry and racing legends, including Doug Dubach, Ryan Villopoto, and Damon Bradshaw. Dubach, Villopoto, and Bradshaw were onsite at each of the bLU cRU Invitational rounds working with racers, providing training, and getting on the track with Yamaha faithful, while also evaluating all riders to make the most informed decision.
“This is such a unique opportunity – no one has ever done anything like this before. Yamaha has really stepped up this year, and what an amazing experience to be a part of Yamaha’s bLU cRU Invitational series working with the young riders, sharing stories, and enjoying Yamaha-exclusive access to some of the top tracks in the country,” said Doug Dubach. “These three kids are fast, talented, and just great people. It was really difficult to pick only three riders from the 45 amazing competitors and exceptional kids, but it’s also been awesome to get to know the winners and their families, and we can’t wait to see their faces when they get to MXoN.”
Held October 4-6 at Matterley Basin in the United Kingdom, the SuperFinale will feature competitors from Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and the USA.
Competing against 110 other Yamaha competitors from 29 different countries, Kade, Tayce, and Chace have the opportunity of a lifetime to show their skills at the largest motocross race of the year for Team USA, with the worldwide media in attendance. Motocross of Nations will feature hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world, offering an experience unlike any other in motocross with cheering fans and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Team USA will be able to showcase their skills and have members of their family in attendance, along with full support from Yamaha.
Each rider will receive a new set of riding gear from Alpinestars, and Twin Air will be providing a welcome pack to all racers in attendance. Several Yamaha riding and support coaches will be in attendance and offering help to attending Yamaha riders in all different facets of the race. This opportunity for more coaching caps off an incredible season where Team USA Yamaha ambassadors Ryan Villopoto, Doug Dubach, and Damon Bradshaw coached riders of all ages at the three bLU cRU Invitationals this summer.
Fans in the USA who are not able to attend in person can watch the races live streamed on the Yamaha Racing YouTube channel. The YZ65 and YZ85 races will take place on Saturday October 5th at 13:10 GMT and 13:45 GMT respectively. The YZ125 race will start at 09:20 GMT on Sunday October 6th.
Viewers can catch the full story of the 2024 bLU cRU Invitationals on YouTube at YouTube.com/@YamahaMotorUSA. See highlights from each race and make plans to join Yamaha in 2025 at a bLU cRU Invitational.
Register for bLU cRU
Join the bLU cRU by registering at YamahabLUcRU.com. Once registered, racers will be eligible to earn contingency for qualifying series, and all bLU cRU riders will have access to exclusive special events (including bLU cRU Invitationals), promotions, training opportunities, merchandise, and more. (All Yamaha bLU cRU Invitationals are exclusive events open only to Yamaha bLU cRU members. Riders must pre-register, and spots are limited.)
Stay updated on all bLU cRU program developments by visiting the bLU cRU website, following @bLUcRUofficial on social media, and keeping an eye out for email updates.
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, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology 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, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.