The ceremonies paid respect to another incredible year for the Yamaha bLU cRU, where 70 percent (42 out of 60) of the Superbike podium finishes, including 11 race wins, and four of the top-five Superbike Championship positions were captured by YZF-R1 riders. Yamaha YZF-R6 riders also accounted for 78 percent (40 out of 51) of the Supersport podium finishes, including 15 race wins, and eight of the top-ten final Supersport Championship positions. Combined with the top finishing positions of Yamaha bLU cRU riders in the Junior Cup, Twins Cup and Stock 1000 classes, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., earned the most points in the series to receive the 2018 MotoAmerica Manufacturer’s Championship award.
Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing’s Cameron Beaubier captured the 2018 Superbike Championship, the third of his career, through sheer determination and grit combined with unwavering support from his team. Beaubier made 17 trips to the Superbike podium throughout the year on his YZF-R1, capturing eight victories, 6 Superpoles and two lap records in the process. Demonstrating smart strategy and a mastery of his race craft, Beaubier wrapped up the Championship with one round left in the series.“This year flew by, but what a season it’s been,” said Beaubier. “We started on the back foot and never quit fighting and turned the ship around. The field in the Superbike class just keeps getting stronger and stronger each year, and that makes me even more proud to bring this #1 plate back to my R1 and my Monster Energy/Yamalube/Yamaha Factory Racing team. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by great people and to be a part of Yamaha. I’m ready for 2019!”
Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha’s JD Beach rode masterfully throughout the year to earn the 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship title, the second Supersport Championship of his career. Beach had a dominant season on his YZF-R6 with sixteen trips to the podium that included 11 race wins. He reclaimed the number one plate with three races still left in the series and rode to the final checkered flag of the year with the heart of a true competitor.
“The 2018 season is in the books, and it has been a great one,” commented JD Beach. “It will be one that will go down in history for me. The team and I had to put in some work this year, but it came out great. We had a lot of changes for the team going into this year and a lot of unknowns. It amazes me what the group of guys got done this year. I had so much fun, and I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed riding my Monster Energy/Yamaha Extended Service/Graves Yamaha R6 more than I did this year.”