Yamaha Racing’s Walker Fowler Clinches Fourth XC1 Pro ATV GNCC Title

YFZ450R bLU cRU Female Racer Traci Pickens Secures 11th Championship


MARIETTA, Ga., Oct. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Yamaha Racing announces today bLU cRU racer Walker Fowler clinched his fourth-straight Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) XC1 Pro ATV championship, claiming the $10,000 bLU cRU bonus on his Yamaha YFZ450R this past weekend at Powerline Park in St. Clairsville, OH. In addition to Fowler, Traci Pickens captured her unprecedented 11th WXC title on a YFZ450R.

“Fowler continues to show he is a GNCC legend, with another year of unmatched dominance and consistency on the cross-country ATV circuit with his Mark Notman prepared YFZ450R,” said Donnie Luce, Yamaha’s off-road racing coordinator. “Speaking of legendary, Yamaha-mounted rider Traci Pickens secured her 11th championship win in the WXC ATV class this past weekend, further exemplifying the YFZ450R is the sport ATV of choice for racers, with the power, durability and performance to consistently top the podium.”

For the fourth-year in a row, Fowler clinched the XC1 Pro ATV championship on his WFR / GBC / Fly Yamaha YFZ450R before the season ended, dominating the competition with nine podium finishes, and six first-place finishes – the only racer in the series so far with multiple wins. He currently leads the series with 281 points, 53 more than the next competitor, with only one round remaining.

“It’s truly an honor to continue this unbelievable run and join the ranks among the GNCC greats,” Fowler said. “The proven capability and consistent performance of the YFZ450R sets Yamaha as the clear off-road racing leader, and I can’t thank them enough for their continued support of my team and the entire racing community as we finish off another successful ATV season.”

The final 2018 GNCC round will take place October 27 - 28 at the AMSOIL Ironman in Crawfordsville, Indiana. In addition to the many festivities taking place at this round, Yamaha will hold an autograph session on Saturday with its ATV, Side-by-Side, and Motorcycle GNCC racers from 6:15 – 7:30 PM at the Yamaha display.

Eligible racers can register or view more information on the bLU cRU program, including all guidelines and requirements for ATV and SxS racing at www.YamahabLUcRU.com. Follow Yamaha Outdoors on your favorite social media channels at www.Facebook.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.Instagram.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.Twitter.com/YamahaOutdoors, or by searching the following hashtags:  #YamahaRacing #bLUcRU #ProvenOffRoad #REALizeYourAdventure #REALizeYourPodium #AssembledInUSA #Yamaha

About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the powersports industry. The company's ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Outboard Motors, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States. YMUS has a corporate office in Cypress, California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Further U.S.-based Yamaha companies include Skeeter Boats (Texas), G3 Boats (Missouri), Bennet Marine (Florida), Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana), and Kracor, Inc. (Wisconsin).

ATVs over 90cc are recommended for use only by riders 16 years and older.

Media Contact:
Scott Newby
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
770-420-6078
Scott_Newby@Yamaha-Motor.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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