Yamaha Australia sponsor 2015 ASBK Championship via YMI and YMF
Yamaha Motor Finance and Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance have been appointed naming rights sponsors of Motorcycling Australia’s Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) for 2015.
Both brands are wholly owned by Yamaha Motor Australia, and exist to assist Yamaha customers getting Factory-backed value-for-money financial products in the most convenient manner.
“We share MA’s vision for the ASBK race series and envisage a successful partnership with YMF and YMI – Yamaha Motor Finance as the Championship Sponsor, and Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance as the Superbike Class Sponsor,” says YMF and YMI General Manager Brad Ryan.
“By partnering with the premier national road race series in Australia we will raise the profile of our Insurance and Finance companies, and by partnering with Motorcycling Australia we’re supporting motorcycling at all levels.”
“We are also pleased to be in a position to assist the sport in a time of change, and to offer a platform from which road racing can rise to the level we think it should be at,” continues Ryan.
Yamaha Race Team (YRT) is supporting a host of satellite riders in the ASBK series, while the factory supported riders will compete in the rival Australasian Superbike Championship (ASC).
“The decision to enter our factory team in the ASC is purely down to logistics and has nothing to do with YMF and YMI’s later decision to sponsor the ASBK.
“We see Yamaha’s involvement in both series as a positive step and a winwin for road race fans,” says YMA Motorsports Manager Ray Howard.
“Now all eyes are on the new YZF-R1 to see how it performs in the white heat of competition,” adds Howard.
Speaking after the announcement, MA CEO Dale Gilson said that he was delighted to welcome Yamaha on board, and will work with all stakeholders to continue to grow the prestige of the championship.
“It’s a wonderful announcement to be able to make when you consider what we are trying to achieve in the ASBK Championship in 2015 and beyond,” Gilson said.
“We are laying the foundations and adding new blocks as we continue to build this series back up to where it belongs, and having the backing of an industry powerhouse like Yamaha proves that we are on the right path.
“We are aware that this new era of ASBK is going to take some time, but the announcement highlights that both Motorcycling Australia and Yamaha – through YMF and YMI are prepared to work together support continued growth in the championship.”
Round 2 of the Australian Superbike Championship will take place at Morgan Park Raceway in Queensland from April 10-12.
2015 ASBK Calendar
- Round 2: Morgan Park (QLD) 10-12 APR
- Round 3: Barbagello (WA) 22-24 MAY
- Round 4: Symmons Plains (TAS) 4-6 SEP
- Round 5: Phillip Island (VIC) 2-4 OCT
