The new DP19 Yamaha Racing team set-up, run and represented by former World Champion David Philippaerts, is looking for further establishment in the FIM Motocross World Championship next year and the skeleton Italian crew are even considering the prospect of fielding another rider for 2015.
Philippaerts has forced his way back into top 10 contention of the premier class at the age of 30 and after two troublesome years from the last three with wrist injuries. The Italian has showed that he is a shrewd operator when it comes to deals off the track as much as he is a determined and aggressive fighter on the dirt.
“I wanted to start a team as cheaply as I could but while aiming to have the same structure as everybody,” Philippaerts explained after receiving support from a number of brands and partners with Yamaha Motor Europe and Michele Rinaldi instrumental in the principal equipment supply.
“I have a new truck, but I sold my motorhome. I now have a combination; and with the awning out more or less the same metres as many other teams. Yamaha have helped me a lot this year, which was really important, with bikes, spares and materials.
“I worked a lot in the winter to get as many parts as possible because I did not want to buy anything and I did not want to run standard stuff. Everywhere we could save, we did. I make enough money to live. When you are a factory rider then you can bank and make savings. I get money from some personal sponsors but what doesn’t go on living goes into the team because the team is my life and it is only possible this way.
“We have started this project well and we will see at the end of the season [how it has gone],” he added. “The mechanic is happy and has already committed for another year so now we just need a couple more sponsors.”
Philippaerts has been connected with several riders from fellow Italians like Ivo Monticelli and David Guarneri to Christophe Charlier who could come across from the factory team with Yamaha support.
“I have the place, I have the workshop so it is up to a brand who might be interested in finding a slot for a rider where they can provide the money to run him and the machinery,” he explained.
“I proposed to Yamaha to run another MXGP bike because it is easy; same motorcycle, same parts, same work. With the 450 you can use the same engine for three or four GPs whereas in MX2 you have to make changes every round and it means more and more parts. Two MXGP riders would be better.”
While Philippaerts claims that he has been open to negotiations with any brand it is thought (although not yet confirmed) that he will continue with Yamaha backing for 2015.
The presence of DP19 Racing is important as it is one of the few new teams in the paddock and the MXGP category and is also a pioneering new model for motocross racers to follow when the small number of factory rides are taken; the situation that Philippaerts found himself in during the winter of 2013. From Yamaha’s side the extension of a racing structure to support their YZ450F programme and development is only a positive move.
“It has been really successful and great to see,” Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp commented on the Philippaerts project with particular reference to the scope and attention it gained at their home GP in Italy last month.
“Many people witnessed what happened in Maggiora and not only David’s work on the track but also around the team generally. It is the project and work of a true world champion in the sport. He started his own team and thanks to a good relationship with us began a big stage of his career with Yamaha. It now depends on what David wants to do with the team and in which direction he wants to go with it.”
