At the Yamaha Wall of Champions Induction

What makes a champion? Is it talent? Desire? Drive? Today we had an opportunity to learn about those things from the champions themselves, as Yamaha closed out their year-long 60th Anniversary celebration by inducting twelve members into the Yamaha Wall of Champions.

The celebration occurred at Yamaha’s headquarters in Cypress, CA with much of Yamaha’s senior leadership team present. Four of the inductees came from the motocross and supercross side of the house, two were ATV champions, and six prefer the slick tires of motorcycle roadracing.

Yamaha used this ceremony as an opportunity for its employees to celebrate the holiday, to give back to the community, and to enjoy some time with factory racers, both past and present.

The mood was festive and spirits were high. A band comprised of Yamaha employees added to the festive atmosphere and a couple of food trucks ensured that everyone was well fed.

Terry Okawa, President of Yamaha Motor Corporation USA made opening remarks and discussed Yamaha’s success across the brand, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s operational acceptance of Yamaha’s agricultural drone helicopter, the RMAX.

Okawa then went on to talk about the success of Yamaha’s musical instrument business. But this was a motorcycle event, and everyone was excited to induct some racing champions, so the program quickly transitioned back to two wheeled vehicles.

Mr. Okawa handed off the festivities to Yamaha’s Vice President of Motorcycle Operations, Dennis McNeal. In keeping with the spirit of the holiday season, Mr. McNeal presented a check to “Feed the Children” for over $31,000.

The money raised came from Yamaha employees and the STAR Touring and Riding Association. A large truck full of food and hygiene items was also present on-site and the STAR Riders escorted the truck to a nearby distribution facility to spread some holiday cheer for families in need.

After the check presentation, it was time for the induction of the champions.

Yamaha Motorsports Racing Division Manager and AMA Hall of Fame member, Keith McCarty took to the stage and had an opportunity to talk with each of the inductees and presented their plaques.

First up were two of roadracing’s legends. Rich Schlachter, the 1979 & 1980 AMA Formula 1 Champion and Mike Baldwin, the 1978 AMA Formula 1 Champion. Both riders talked about what it takes to be a champion and one of the common themes of the day was sacrifice.

Baldwin was asked about how he came to ride Yamaha’s TZ750 and responded that it was the bike to have at the time and that, as a racer, you did whatever it took to obtain the best motorcycle.

He explained, “You sold whatever you could” to get the funds to buy the best equipment to set up a team. That theme is still occurring today, as families make huge sacrifices to support young racers in an ever more expensive sport.

McCarty then talked with motocross champions Grant Langston and Rick Johnson. The legendary motocrossers were followed by Yamaha’s two ATV champions, Walker Fowler and Chad Wienen.

The presentations then moved back to the motocrossers with Yamaha’s champion young guns, Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb receiving their accolades. Then it was time to recognize the current crop of roadracers.

Yamaha had tremendous success in the inaugural season of MotoAmerica’s road racing series, sweeping all four of the series’ classes. The Wall of Champions Induction was an opportunity to highlight Yamaha’s dominance in American Roadracing.

First up on stage was the 2015 Superstock 600 Champion, Joe Roberts. Roberts is only 18 years old, and with a professional championship already under his belt, looks to have a bright future ahead. 2014 Daytona Sportbike Champion and 2015 Superstock 1000 Champion, Jake Gagne was next.

Gagne is a multi-discipline rider who didn’t even switch from motocross to roadracing until he was 14. With two championships, he is a force to be reckoned with in the future.

Supersport Champion J.D. Beach was next on stage. After just missing a championship in 2014, in 2015, Beach was able to translate his extensive flat track experience into his first MotoAmerica championship.

The festivities finished up with 2013 Daytona Sportbike Champion and 2015 Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier. Beaubier is seen as one of America’s rising roadracing stars and battled teammate Josh Hayes for this year’s superbike title.

Beaubier discussed what it’s like to be on a team with a veteran champion like Josh Hayes and told stories of some of the friendly mind games that went on between the two racers.

The Wall of Champions Induction was a great way for Yamaha to finish out their 60th anniversary year. Yamaha has a long heritage of motorcycle manufacturing and racing, and even during the Great Recession, the company continued to support motorcycle racing across multiple disciplines.

It was obvious by the enthusiasm, of both the employees and the pro racers at the ceremony, that the future of the company looks bright.