1 UK bLU cRU 2023 YZ CUP
WELCOME TO bLU cRU
Are you an aspiring racer looking to reach the next level? Then look no further, take that next step with one of the most iconic brands in the history of two-wheel motorsport with Yamaha’s bLU cRU programme.
Racing has been in Yamaha Motor’s DNA since the company was founded in 1955 and you can start writing your own chapter of Yamaha Racing history by joining bLU cRU – a programme designed to take the brightest young talent in both on and off-road motorsport to the next level with the support of one of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers.
Think you’re the next Eli Tomac or Maxime Renaux? Join the YZ bLU cRU Cup now!
WHY CHOOSE YAMAHA? 6 YAMAHA RACING PYRAMID 8 HOW IT WORKS 10 THE BIKES YZ65 12 YZ85 14 YZ125 16 WHAT YOU RECEIVE 19 Paddock Blue racewear Sticker kit Professional advice & support Media exposure bLU cRU rider training Discounts SUPERFINALE 20 MASTERCLASS 25 ELIGIBILITY 26 HOW TO APPLY 29 MORE INFORMATION 30 CONTENTS
WHY CHOOSE YAMAHA?
Yamaha won its first race just one week after the company was founded and ever since then we’ve been a constant force in both on and off-road motorcycle racing.
Yamaha’s bLU cRU programme, first launched in 2015, is a platform to support the next generation of young riding talent to take the next steps towards a professional career in both.
The programme creates a professional environment that is used to encourage, nurture and build tomorrow’s racing stars through the guidance and unparalleled experience of the Yamaha Racing world.
For young, ambitious off-road riders, the YZ65, YZ85 and YZ125 bLU cRU FIM Europe Cups provide the perfect entry into Yamaha’s racing pyramid, which begins at the grass roots, local level and culminates at the premier, Grand Prix stage.
The YZ bLu cRU FIM Europe Cup sees over 300 riders from 22 countries battle it out in their national race series to earn a space at the prestigious YZ bLU cRU FIM Europe Cup SuperFinale, which is held alongside the prestigious Monster Energy Motocross of Nations. The best riders from the SuperFinale progress to the YZ bLU cRU Masterclass where the prize for the best YZ125 rider is a fully supported ride with a Yamaha team in the EMX125 Championship. The winners of the YZ65 and YZ85 class also receive support from Yamaha for the following season.
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YAMAHA
The Yamaha Racing pyramid offers aspiring young racers progression opportunities all the way through the ranks, from grassroots to professional levels of motorsport.
In off-road racing, the pyramid starts with the chance to experience Yamaha for the very first time via our riding schools, such as the Yamaha MX Experience, or events like the MX Pro Tour, progressing through the various levels of national MX to the YZ SuperFinale and Masterclass, with the possibility to then progress to the European and World stages.
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Regional championships Riding schools Yamaha MX Experience Yamaha MX Pro ACU/FIM Approved National Championships ACU British Motocross Championship MX Nationals UK EMX Championship YZ bLU cRU Masterclass YZ bLU cRU SuperFinale AMA MX/SX MXGP
RACING PYRAMID
WORLD
EUROPEAN
NATIONAL LOCAL
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Choose to race a YZ65, YZ85 or YZ125 in an approved National Championship
Apply to participate in the bLU cRU programme
Make use of bLU cRU benefits during 2023 season
Best riders across Europe, including the UK, invited to bLU cRU Europe Cup SuperFinale
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HOW IT WORKS
The YZ bLU cRU Cup in the UK is open to anyone racing a YZ65, YZ85 or YZ125 in an FIM or ACU affiliated national championship, but you must register to participate.
Applying couldn’t be easier, simply fill out the online form with your details, plus the series in which you’ll be racing. Once your application is confirmed, you’ll receive our welcome pack, which has everything you need to get started on your Yamaha Racing journey.
You’ll get a host of freebies, including an official Yamaha sticker kit for your bike, plus a collection of our Paddock Blue racewear. You’ll also receive support from our dedicated bLU cRU team, led by YZ bLU cRU ambassador Jeff Perrett, among other highlights including an exclusive Training event in the summer open to all bLU cRU participants.
Once registered, the main thing you have to do is race and submit your results to Yamaha Motor UK on a monthly basis. The best performing riders of the season across classes, chosen via our official bLU cRU selection criteria, will be invited to the SuperFinale event for the chance to take a step closer to a professional career racing at the Motocross of Nations at Ernee, France in October 2023 with 120 of the best young motocross racers from across Europe.
The best of the best from the SuperFinale will then be invited to the exclusive Masterclass event, where YZ125 riders will fight it out for a ride in a Yamaha supported EMX125 team for 2024 while the YZ85 and YZ65 riders present can win full GYTR support from Yamaha.
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5 6 Top 15 riders invited to bLU cRU Masterclass Best riders selected for either EMX125 ride or GYTR Parts & Technical Support
YAMAHA YZ65
Powerful 65cc liquid cooled engine
Race-developed Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS)
Smooth, stable handling and confident cornering
High overall specification, winning capability
Effortless 6-speed transmission with light-pull clutch
Semi-double cradle steel frame, aluminium subframe
36mm diameter upside down front forks
KYB Monocross suspension, aluminium swingarm
60/100 14” front and 80/100 12” rear tyres
Find out how you can further improve the performance of the Yamaha YZ65 by adding GYTR accessories.
Tapered handlebars, aluminium handlebar crown
Ergonomic seat design for easy weight shifting and total control
Pure YZ race-bred DNA
Full range of GYTR Performance and Racing parts available
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YAMAHA YZ85
Slim bodywork
Flat seat and ergonomic fuel tank
Lightweight aluminium rear frame
Aluminium swing arm
85cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke engine with YPVS
High-efficiency air intake
Fully adjustable 36mm KYB upside down front forks
Link-type Monocross rear suspension
Self-cleaning wave discs
Find out how you can further improve the performance of the Yamaha YZ85 by adding GYTR accessories.
Full range of GYTR Performance and Racing parts available
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YAMAHA YZ125
Most powerful YZ125 engine
Ultra-slim bodywork
Keihin Powerjet carburettor
Smooth shifting 6-speed transmission High-efficiency air intake
Race-developed ergonomics
Best-in-class KYB suspension
Powerful braking system
Single bolt seat fixing
Find out how you can further improve the performance of the Yamaha YZ125 by adding GYTR accessories.
Full range of GYTR Racing parts available
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WHAT YOU RECEIVE
PADDOCK BLUE RACEWEAR
As part of your Welcome Pack, you will receive a selection of official Yamaha
Paddock Blue Racewear worth over £200, so you can look like a factory Yamaha racer!
Included in the pack is:
• 2x Paddock Blue T-Shirts
• 1x Paddock Blue Hoody
• 1x Paddock Blue Race Umbrella
• 1x Paddock Blue Cap
• 1x Paddock Blue Backpack
MEDIA EXPOSURE
bLU cRU supported riders get the benefit of coverage on Yamaha Racing’s social media channels, which boast an audience of 200,000 in the UK alone and six million globally.
@YamahaRacingUK will post the best results and rider stories from across the 2023 season, boosting bLU cRU riders profiles and providing valuable coverage for sponsors. The channels will also share rider-posted content that meets the bLU cRU social media guidelines, using the relevant tags and hashtags (#victorYZone, #bLUcRU). Additionally, there will be visibility for riders on the official Yamaha Motor UK webpage.
OFFICIAL YAMAHA RACING STICKER KIT
As well as the official Yamaha Racing clothing, you’ll also get an official Yamaha Racing sticker kit for your bike.
You will also be able to purchase further sticker kits and graphics from our partner, GP Grafix, at a discounted rate throughout the season.
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE & SUPPORT
Our bLU cRU Ambassador, Jeff Perrett will be on hand at all Revo British MX and Michelin MX Nationals events to provide advice, assistance and guidance to bLU cRU riders including track walks.
bLU cRU RIDER TRAINING EVENTS
We will hold an official Yamaha Motor UK bLU cRU Rider Training event in the summer, where all bLU cRU riders will be invited to attend free of charge. Riding advice, training and guidance will be provided from the official Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha MX team and bLU cRU ambassador Jeff Perrett.
DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
A bLU cRU discount is available on selected parts from participating Yamaha dealerships.
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SUPERFINALE
At the end of the season, Yamaha hosts the FIM bLU cRU Europe Cup SuperFinale, which for 2023 will take place at the Motocross of Nations at Ernee in France. This event offers the best performing bLU cRU riders across the season, chosen via our official bLU cRU selection criteria, a chance to show what they can do up against 120 of the best young, up and coming racers from across Europe.
As well as presenting the opportunity to race at an MXGP event in front of your heroes and 30,000 spectators, the SuperFinale will also see the top 120 riders will challenge for a space at the exclusive YZ bLU cRU Masterclass, which is one step closer to a professional racing career with Yamaha.
The three top performers from each class at the SuperFinale will progress to the Masterclass event alongside two wildcard entrants from each category.
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MASTERCLASS
The YZ bLU cRU Masterclass then offers the top 15 riders from the SuperFinale the chance to show their skill with the ultimate prizes up for grabs.
Under the guidance and supervision of Yamaha Racing experts, Masterclass attendees will be invited to demonstrate their ability in the two-day event with the YZ125 riders competing for the ultimate prize of a ride in a Yamaha-supported team in the 2024 EMX125 championship, while the winners of the 85cc and 65cc category will receive Yamaha GYTR equipment and technical support for their next racing season.
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ELIGIBILITY
Yamaha Motor Europe’s bLU cRU rules state that to participate in the full programme, riders must race in an FIM or ACU affiliated race series. In the UK, that means we’ll consider riders racing in categories at the Revo ACU British Motocross Championship and Michelin MX Nationals. Our bLU cRU ambassador Jeff Perrett and Cab Screens Crescent Yamaha will be present at all of these rounds for support.
Yamaha Motor UK do offer a bLU cRU programme for junior riders competing in local, non-FIM or ACU affiliated series, which includes those riding a YZ250 if aged under 16. These riders will receive a Paddock Blue t-shirt and cap and will also be invited to the bLU cRU Training Days but will not be eligible for selection for the YZ bLU cRU SuperFinale or Masterclass events.
AGE LIMITS
YZ125
In order to participate in the YZ125 Cup, riders must be aged between 13 and 16*
YZ85
In order to participate in the YZ85 Cup, riders must be aged between 11 and 13*
YZ65
In order to participate in the YZ65 Cup, riders must be aged between 8 and 11*
* The minimum age must be reached at the moment of the first technical verifications of the event which is normally the Friday of the event. The maximum age finishes at the end of the calendar year in which the rider reaches the age.
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HOW TO APPLY
STEP 1
Make sure you meet the competition terms and conditions and age requirements for the relevant Cup.
STEP 2
Fill in the online registration form by 28th February 2023. Once registration has been completed, checked and accepted, you will be welcomed to Yamaha’s youth talent development programme and receive the official YZ bLU cRU welcome pack.
STEP 3
Each month, supply your results to Yamaha Motor UK via an online form (details in welcome pack). This will be one of the criteria used for selecting participants for the YZ bLU cRU SuperFInale event.
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MORE INFORMATION
For more information about our bLU cRU programme or if you experience difficulties with the digital registration process, please contact us using the following address: bLUcRU@yamaha-racing.com
If your son or daughter is not racing in an ACU affiliated MX championship, or if you are racing a YZ250 and are under 16, and would still like to apply for the 2023 UK YZ bLU cRU programme, or for any further UK queries please contact: harry.mckenzie@yamaha-motor.co.uk
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