Yamaha Launches YZR-M1 WGP 50th Anniversary Edition

In order to mark the company’s 50th anniversary in GP racing, Yamaha has launched a special livery for the YZR-M1, which will adorn the MotoGP racebikes at Assen TT and Laguna Seca events. The anniversary paint scheme will be unveiled by reigning MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo and 2010 Rookie of the Year Ben Spies at a special event on June 22, hosted close to the Assen circuit.

The ‘YZR-M1 WGP50th Anniversary Edition’ livery sports unique red and white paint design, paying homage to the iconic Yamaha Factory Racing liveries of the past with a modern twist.

Aside from being used by Yamaha Factory Racing team riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies, the red and white livery will also appear on all Yamaha staff and team crew as well as the Yamaha Factory Racing team’s pit box.

A special 50th Anniversary logo is also being used this season, displayed on the 2011 YZR-M1 fuel tank, on all Yamaha Factory Racing Team uniforms, within the pit garage of riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies and also on the Yamaha Factory Racing trucks.

In addition to that, the company has also launched a special dedicated website. The Yamaha World GP 50th Anniversary website features an impressive archive, tracking the history of Yamaha’s involvement with racing along with detailed historical information. Throughout the season the site will be regularly updated with columns and videos along with exclusive messages and interviews of key people involved in the World Championship Grand Prix racing story of Yamaha.

A video and image gallery of the YZR-M1 WGP 50th Anniversary Edition bike are available below: