Fiery launch for Yamaha Monster Motocross Team
By TMX Archives on 5th Apr 08
The Yamaha Monster Motocross Team will be hoping to strike extra fear into their FIM Motocross World Championship rivals in 2008 thanks to a new alliance with Monster Energy drinks.
On the eve of the first Grand Prix of fifteen in the 2008 MX1-GP WorldChampionship the heart of the press corps headed north of Valkenswaard –location of the Eurocircuit, venue of the GP of the Netherlands – to seePhilippaerts, Coppins and key personnel from Yamaha Motor Europe and MonsterEnergy present the new all-black factory YZ450FMs for the imminent season.
After the beach demonstration that saw Philippaerts manfully steer asnowmobile for the first time and Coppins actually getting some air under hiswheels on the ATV, the riders and team took the covers off the works machineryand then joined in a small Q+A before a dinner took place. Over fortyjournalists and photographers from Europe, USA and Japan gathered to witnessproceedings.
YMMT 2008
"For six years we have been pushing hardfor titles with a lot of success, and as this is the first time that we will bewanting our red plate back everyone is more motivated than ever this season,”said Yamaha Motor Europe's Racing Division Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. "InJosh Coppins we have a strong and fast rider who came so close to our fourthchampionship in four years last season and with David we have some new youngblood that we hope will be capable of some very good results. We will be on theattack in the premier-class in 2008. I would also like to extend a deep welcometo Monster Energy and we look forward to a prosperous relationship together.”
The factory-backed Grand Prix squad – now entitled ‘Yamaha MonsterMotocross Team' thanks to the title sponsorship - will benefit from ahigh-profile three year joint programme with one of the new powerful movers inmotorcycle racing for their attempt on the MX1-GP title.
"Yamaha's team in MX1-GP is one with a fantastic heritage and a record ofresults that we like to be associated with,” said Monster Energy spokesman ScottSepkovic. "We have a strong belief in allying our product with motocross andsupercross and this can be seen in our support of youth programmes right throughto our top athletes. I want to wish Josh and David all the best for the comingseason.”
"The main difference you can see with the 2008 race machinerycompared with 2007, is the colour,” joked Team Principal Michele Rinaldi,alluding to the departure of the Yamaha blue. "The bike has undergone somemodifications to the chassis and suspension, we have gone from 50mm to 48 on thefront end, and the engine has also had some work to the cylinder head, valve andexhaust among other things to improve the torque which gives more traction andstability. The noise limit has also been lowered from 96 to 94 decibels and thispresented another technical challenge. As ever I am indebted to the work of theteam and also our technical crew behind-the-scenes. We will see tomorrow thefruits of our work and hopefully even more so on Sunday afternoon.”
"Idid not think I could be hungrier than I was last season to win thechampionship,” said Josh Coppins who came through his outing on the ATV withoutany problems regarding his healing toes. "However it is obvious that I have someunfinished business from last season. This is the not best start I could havehoped for,” he added referring to the support cast on his right foot "but I willbe out there and ready to get this year underway.”
"The 2007 bike wasalready good but I feel the changes we have produced for this year have made itmore user friendly - certainly for me - and it is good for your confidence to goto the gate with something you know is capable of delivering the goods,” the 31year old commented on the 2008 YZ450FM.
"It is great to be part of thisteam, especially for me being Italian; it is so easy to work with them and Ifeel very comfortable,” admitted Philippaerts, who makes his Grand Prix debutfor the team over the weekend. "I think the good feeling I have has been obviouswith some decent pre-season races. I am excited to start the season now andcan't wait for tomorrow.”
The first day of practice and qualification atthe Valkenswaard circuit takes place on Saturday before the two 35 minutes and 2lap motos for the MX1-GP and MX2-GP classes commence on Sunday.