After holding gruelling heats in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; Naga, Bicol; and Baliwag, Bulacan, Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. (YMPH) held the sixth Grand Prix finals last September 26 and 27, 2015, at the Carmona Circuit Racetrack. The season finale also served as the launch platform for Yamaha’s YZF-R3.
YMPH president Toru Osugi was present to take the wraps off the YZF-R3, the brand’s racing inspired steed meant for the everyday needs of high-performance bikers. A notch above Yamaha’s YZF-R15, the YZF-R3 features a better 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve, 320cc engine capable of producing 42.3PS @ 10750RPM and 30.2Nm of torque @ 9000RPM. It’s paired to a 6-speed multi-disc clutch and is fed by a 14-liter fuel tank. Stopping duty is handled by hydraulic single disks at the front and rear.
Additionally, event guests were treated to an exclusive racing clinic facilitated by Yamaha Japan’s top instructor, Yoshiaki Kato.
Meanwhile, the Grand Prix is Yamaha’s grassroots program that seeks to develop local talent for international competition. Kaoru Ogura, YMPH sales and marketing director, gave the race’s Inter Club AT; Inter Club UB; AT 130 Open; AT 160 Open Novice and Expert; and for the first time ever, Sniper 150 MXi and YZF-R15 categories the green light during the two-day ordeal.
Coming out on top to be part of Yamaha Team Philippines were John Emerson Inguito, Masato Fernando, James Mendez, Aljon Valencia, Victor Laude, Arlan Dela Cruz, Paul Mark Doblada, Durraine Dan Carlos, Axl Teves, and Vingie Coloma. After dominating the local blacktop, the winners of the Grand Prix will be representing the country during the Yamaha ASEAN Cup Race.
Photos by Emmanuel Luz