The Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Racing Team has recruited Tom McCormack to join their already strong line-up consisting of E2 rider, Josh Green and seven-time Australian off-road and enduro title winner, AJ Roberts for 2013.

The Queensland-based outfit will again contest the Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), Australian 4-Day Enduro (A4DE), select Queensland and New South Wales state events, along with the Finke and Hattah desert races.

“We had a good dig last year,” said team manager, AJ Roberts. “Yamaha has been really supportive in helping us go again and their immense support is even more reason for us to push harder in our second year. Our goals will be to establish some consistency and get some top results.

“I’m excited about our line-up with Josh Green stepping up to the E2 class and the addition of up-and-coming rider, Tom McCormack. Tom holds the number one plate for enduro in Queensland and, for me, it’s cool to work with a fellow Queensland rider.

Roberts is glad to giving the hard working 19-year-old the opportunity to compete with the added support of a factory team behind him.

“At 19, he’s young and slowly getting to the pointy end of the field,” he added. “He’s worked hard on his own and I’m happy we are able to give him the opportunity to have the support of a factory team behind him.

“He’ll be striving to get on the box every weekend in Championship E1 and I think this will be very achievable for him.”

McCormack, from Byron Bay in New South Wales, won the 2012 Yamaha Queensland Enduro Championship and placed fourth in the championship E1 Class at the 2012 A4DE. This year, he will again compete aboard the YZ250F in E1.

“It’s a step in the right direction for me, that’s for sure,” McCormack said. “I’m seeing big improvements already in my riding and bike set up. My goals for the year are to be consistent… I’m not sure who I’m up against yet, but I’d like to win as many races as I can and have a solid, consistent year.

“I’ve been on the YZ250F since 2007 and I’m more comfortable now than I’ve ever been on the bike. It is an amazing machine and I can’t wait to race it at the opening round in Kyogle in a few weeks time.”

22-year-old Green, of Soldier’s Point in New South Wales, will be returning to the team after a strong 2012 in which he placed second overall in the AORC E1 divsion and third in the A4DE E2 division.

His best result in 2012 was a win the E1 class at one of the Broadford rounds of the AORC and second Outright on debut at the Hattah Desert Race.

Green feels that the power of the WR450F, which he will be aboard for 2013, suits his style and allows him to ride smoother, while also being able to improve his line selection.

“I find the WR450F to have really smooth power, I like the broad engine and all the horse power – the more power the better,” said Green. “I find myself riding a lot smoother and focusing on lines rather than trying to go fast.”

The team will kick-off the year with the opening round of the Yamaha Sprint Cross-Country Series being held at Kyogle (Northern NSW) on February 2nd, where team manger and rider, Roberts, will also compete in the E3 class aboard a YZ250 two-stroke.