Yamaha has announced that Bob Buchanan and GL12 Racing will remain with the Japanese brand as Yamaha confirmed its official support of the team for the 2015 off-road season today.
Now known as GL12 Yamaha, the Gloucester-based squad will once again be competing in the European EMX300 and Maxxis British MX1 championships on the YZ250LC, as well as entering the European EMX125, Maxxis MXY2 and Youth 125 two-stroke championships on the YZ125.
Having firmly made their mark in Youthstream’s inaugural EMX300 championship this year, the privateer team took their Yamaha YZ250LC piloted by Brit Lewis Gregory and finished the season in third place on the podium, beating factory teams along the way and catching the eye of Yamaha in the UK and Europe in the process.
A fantastic season with a race win on home soil at the UK GP and an overall win in Spain, GL12 Racing and Lewis Gregory proved that the YZ250LC could be a competitive package. With its legendary two-strokes having received major updates for 2015 and Yamahas commitment to continuing with the models in its line-up, it was an obvious choice for Yamaha to cement the relationship with the team going forward.
Yamaha UK’s Motorsport Coordinator, Karl Radley said of the deal: “Having followed the success of GL12 Racing and Lewis all season and with the resurgence in the popularity of two-strokes, it was essential for us to build on the relationship. With Bob’s clear passion for racing, the team’s professionalism and the additional support that Yamaha can provide, we are convinced that GL12 Yamaha will finish on the top step of podiums throughout 2015, as well as proving that Yamaha’s two-strokes are still a competitive force in racing.”
GL12 Yamaha’s team owner Bob Buchanan said: “This support from Yamaha, that I would like to thank them for, is vindication for all the hard work to get here. Not only will the support enable me to continue the development of the two-stroke in the 300 class, it will also provide an opportunity to bring on new young British talent on the 125. This is a goal that I have had since creating GL12 Racing, but have been unable to achieve until now, so I think it shows Yamaha’s and my commitment to supporting British motocross. We hope GL12 Racing can repay Yamaha’s faith in us with a successful 2015 season.”
