YCRT prepares for finale

The last ten years has seen the team entertain thousands of racing fans both modern and historical with unique Yamaha machines such as the 125 cc RA31A and 250 cc RD05A works four cylinders of 1968, the 750 – two stroke (OW31) and the 1979 GP500 championship winning YZR500.

The team and riders were also a key element in Yamaha’s celebration of 50 years of Grand Prix racing in 2011, putting on a special display at the Assen TT for the MotoGP crowd fans as well as a special parade lap on the Isle of Man around the iconic Mountain Course.

Living racing legends including Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read, Rodney Gould, Dieter Braun, Steve Baker, Chas Mortimer, Pentti Korhonen, Jos Schurgers, Svend Andersson and Kent Andersson have all taken to the tracks on their glorious machines.

Ferry commented: “It’s a truly sad moment bringing this incredible project to a close. It has been a fantastic experience, working with both the beautiful, iconic machines, Yamaha and these really special riders. We’ve been running a classic racing team since the 1998 Centennial Event, which evolved into the Yamaha Classic Racing Team. It may only be ten years but we have achieved so much and been seen by so many and have much to reminisce about already.”

Those wishing to see the team in action one last time can catch them at various events during the coming year, with the farewell event being at this year’s Classic TT on the Isle of Man from August 23-26. A number of the special machines from the team are under discussion to be taken over by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd in Japan to become part of their historic collection.