MARIETTA, Ga. – November 8, 2018 – Yamaha Racing’s bLU cRU racers continue the YXZ1000R reign, sweeping both rounds in the Lucas Oil Regional Off-Road Series (LORORS) Arizona Production 1000 class, along with the overall point standings over the weekend, further proving the YXZ1000R is the Side-by-Side (SxS) to beat in UTV short course racing. Yamaha bLU cRU driver Paul O’Brien captured the 2018 LORORS Arizona Production 1000 class championship in his Weller Racing / Yamaha YXZ1000R at the state’s Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. O’Brien’s victory additionally earns him a permanent spot of recognition among Yamaha’s numerous racing legends amassed over the decades at the company’s annual Wall of Champions ceremony next month.

Controlling the field throughout the season by finishing first in all but one race, O’Brien secured the Production 1000 class victory and Yamaha’s $5,000 bLU cRU Championship Bonus in his YXZ1000R with a total of 319 points. The only person to stop O’Brien’s first place dominance was fellow bLU cRU racer Jason Weller, who won the final round in his Weller Racing YXZ1000R. Thanks to a strong run at the last two rounds, Weller jumped to third overall in the series’ Production 1000 class, nearly besting fellow YXZ1000R racer Will Munns who rounded out the podium in second place.

“O’Brien’s performance this year in his YXZ1000R was phenomenal, being the only racer to consistently finish on the podium in all six rounds of the series,” said Donnie Luce, Yamaha’s off-road racing coordinator. “Along with all bLU cRU racers, we congratulate O’Brien on a great season and additionally look forward to having him join the ranks with many other Yamaha racing legends next month as we add him to Yamaha’s prestigious Wall of Champions.”

In December, Yamaha will recognize their 2018 SxS, ATV, and Motorcycle racing champions at its annual Wall of Champions event in Marietta, Georgia. In addition to several repeat victors, other first-time Wall of Champion inductees honored this year include Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League’s Pro Stock SxS champion Ryan Mulder and Pro Mod SxS winner Rodney Van Eperen, along with Aaron Plessinger, AMA Supercross 250 West Region and AMA Motocross 250 National Motocross titleholder.

For more information on the bLU cRU program, including all guidelines and requirements for ATV and SxS racing, visit www.YamahabLUcRU.com. Follow Yamaha Outdoors on social at www.Facebook.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.Instagram.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.Twitter.com/YamahaOutdoors, or by searching the following hashtags: #YXZ1000R #Yamaha #YamahaRacing #bLUcRU #ProvenOffRoad #REALizeYourAdventure #REALizeYourPodium #AssembledInUSA

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).