Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., Announces 2011 ATV Race Teams

CYPRESS, Calif., Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is pleased to announced its 2011 ATV race team members including: Bill Ballance, Traci Cecco, Taylor Kiser and Walker Fowler in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series; Thomas Brown in the ATVA/AMA National Motocross series; and Dustin Nelson in the revamped QuadX Series as well as the World Off Road Championship Series (WORCS).  The MX racers will compete on the high-performance YFZ450R while the cross-country teams will continue to race the trail-optimized YFZ450X.

"Yamaha is proud to continue to support the sport of ATV racing and so many great competitors, from the record-holding veterans and returning champs to up-and-coming riders and future champs," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV/SxS group marketing manager.  "Racing has always been at Yamaha's core, and our high-performance machines and stellar race teams are a result of Yamaha's ongoing commitment to the sport.  We're looking forward to another exciting season in 2011."

Bill Ballance, who holds an all-time record nine GNCC championships, leads Yamaha's cross-country team into the 2011 season with a slightly heavier focus on managing Ballance Racing while also continuing to race the YFZ450X at select events.  Traci Cecco, the winningest women in cross country ATV racing, returns to recapture her crown after a third place overall finish in the 2010 GNCC season.  Taylor Kiser, GNCC's second place overall finisher in 2010 is returning with the single goal of earning his first ever XC-1 pro class championship.  Walker Fowler is looking to add a XC-2 championship to his resume in 2011.

In AMA ATV motocross racing, Thomas Brown will represent Yamaha aboard his YFZ450R.  Brown, who finished sixth overall in 2010, will be looking to move up within some steep competition.  In addition to Team Yamaha, Brown will receive guidance and support from Bill Ballance as the newest member of Ballance Racing.

Dustin Nelson, the four-time QuadX Series Champion, is returning to the West Coast series for 2011 with hopes of extending his dominating streak.  The newly renovated series recently announced a new name, logo and schedule, which can be found at http://www.quadxseries.com/.  Nelson, who recently signed Josh Row under the Nelson 94 Racing headline, is also refocusing his own efforts on the WORCS series, in which he placed fourth overall last year.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company's ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.

Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.

ATVs with engines greater than 90cc are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older.

SOURCE Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.