Yamaha Junior Racing (YJR) has announced its line-up of racers across the country for 2012, which will span across five states.

Each state is individually managed in a personal approach to developing rising Australian talent. The program is intended for riders to learn about racing, riding, dealing with sponsors and being a professional athlete.

The Yamaha Junior Racing program has tight links with the Yamaha professional race teams as well as coaching direction from Y-Aim, Yamaha’s off road rider coaching arm.

Last year saw the teams pick up several state motocross championships, podium positions at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships and the series win at the end of year Super X championship.

“Yamaha gets a lot of satisfaction from the Yamaha Junior Racing teams,” said Yamaha motorsports manager Ray Howard. “Over the years, it has been amazing to see how the riders and teams have evolved with plenty of riders going on to bigger and better pastures racing motocross professionally.

“We also have some of the best mentors to oversee each state and I’m again confident 2012 will be another successful year for Yamaha Junior Racing around Australia.”

YJR will see the Victorian program managed by Cameron Taylor. Taylor, the current Victorian Y-Aim agent, is a great addition to the YJR program and his input and experience will be priceless to the riders in the team.

Riders will again compete in a range of local, regional and state championship events, before tackling the Australian Junior Motocross Championship later in the year.

Yamaha Junior Racing 2012 Teams:
QLD – YJR
#3 Joel Dinsdale: 15 years 125/250cc
#7 Wilson Todd: 12-15 years 85cc/13 to 14 years 125cc.
Team manager: Scott Bishop

NSW –YJR
#21 Joel Wightman: 15 years 125/250cc
#225 Brendon Walther: 12 to 15 years 85cc/13 to 14 years 125cc
Team manager: Shane Booth

VIC – YJR
#3 Cody Dyce: 9-U12 years 85cc
#79 Wade Kirkland: 12-U14 years 85cc
#7 Jed Beaton: 13-14 years 125cc
#35 Matt Talty: 13-14 years 125cc/250cc
Team manager: Cameron Taylor

SA – YJR
#264 Izak Maule: 15 years 125/250F
#379 Oscar Maule: 9-11 years 85cc
Team manager: Shane Metcalfe

WA – Wellard YJR
#102 Matt Fabry: 9 to U12 years 85cc
# 214 Liam Whisler: 13 to 15 years 125cc
# 10 Kyle Webster: 15 years 250F
Team manager: Peter Strickland