Yamaha looking to quit World Superbike Championship by end of 2011 season – WSBK news
Yamaha Motor Europe has revealed that the factory will pull out its official team from World Superbike Championship after the end of the ongoing 2011 season.
Yamaha’s spokesperson said, “This announcement follows a full strategic review of the Marketing Operations within Europe including all Motorsport activities and takes into account the continuing severe and rapidly changing Powered Two Wheeler market conditions
throughout the region.”
Even though both the team riders Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri scored decent positions on the podium at the Silverstone event, their future is close to an expected end with the Yamaha factory.
Laverty was twice second whereas Melandri came third in both races. Considering the WSBK championship standings, Melandri is third on the points table, followed by teammate Laverty on fourth position.
The spokesperson further said, “Due to this decision more resource and focus will now be used for direct 'Customer activities to ultimately add more value to Yamaha ownership and increased Customer Satisfaction.”
Yamaha’s operations have been affected by high running costs for the season. Especially without any primary sponsor for the event, the factory teams find it tough to carry on with the season.
The YME expressed its gratitude to the team members and both riders who firmly appreciated the step taken by the Yamaha team.
The team has announced its decision in advance in order to enable the members avail further opportunities if available. After the announcement, the team aims to achieve and complete its tasks for the ongoing season.
Yamaha team has four rounds at Germany, Italy, France and Portugal to go for the end of the WSBK season. The Yamaha team last won the championship title in 2009. With its riders’ competitive positions on the points table, the team is looking forward to regain
the glory on its final race season.
However, Yamaha will continue to provide racing kits for its R6 and R1 production models that can also be used by amateur and private racing teams.
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