Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, is pleased to partner with the Rookies of ’79 and Friends charity for the 2022 season in an effort to help raise funds to support injured flat track riders and their families. Yamaha has elected to donate a brand new 2022 YZF-R7 accessorized in World GP 60th Anniversary livery and gold wheels to be raffled off in a season-long fundraiser in conjunction with the 2022 American Flat Track (AFT) race series. Tickets to the raffle will be sold at each AFT round, and a winner will be drawn at the final round of the championship at Volusia Speedway in Florida on October 15, 2022. Additionally, Yamaha is also donating one free year of Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.) warranty coverage on the R7.
“I’m proud and pleased that we were able to donate this Yamaha YZF-R7 to the Rookies of ’79 charity, allowing them to raise money to achieve their mission of helping riders and families in need,” said Yamaha Motorcycle Product Line Manager Derek Brooks. “They are a fantastic organization that does incredible work for the racing community. And as an ex-flat tracker myself, it’s a cause very near and dear to my heart.”
Founded by a group of friends and former professional dirt track racers who made up the legendary rookie class of 1979 from the Golden Era of American flat track racing, the Rookies of ’79 and Friends charity was launched with the mission to provide financial assistance to injured flat track motorcycle riders and their families in their times of greatest need. A fan-based charity, Rookies of ’79 raises funds mostly through sales and raffles of donated memorabilia, as well as donations from fans, fellow riders, and corporate sponsors. Money raised helps provide an immediate safety net for amateur and professional riders who often find themselves left with staggering costs and inadequate insurance coverage following injuries suffered while pursuing their passion of racing.
“The Rookies of ’79, the official charity of American Flat Track, is blessed and honored to be partnered with Yamaha Motor Corp. for the 2022 season,” said Rookies of ’79 Executive Director Charlie Roberts. “Yamaha has provided the charity with a new Yamaha 2022 YZF-R7 for use as our featured raffle bike for the season. The bike will be customized in the iconic white and red World GP 60th Anniversary likeness and will be available for viewing at all American Flat Track events. Yamaha’s generosity with this donation in support of the charity’s mission, supporting injured racers and their families, as well as their support of Estenson Racing, is a true testament to their commitment to American flat track racing. Rookies of ’79 is proud to be part of the Yamaha family!”
For fans or supporters wanting to buy a raffle ticket for the 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7, Rookies of ’79 merchandise, memorabilia or to simply make a donation, please visit the Rookies of ’79 website at rookies79.com or visit the Rookies of ’79 tent at American Flat Track national events and a variety of regional flat track events throughout the 2022 racing season.
For more information related to all Yamaha products, visit yamahamotorsports.com.