Yamaha Celebrates its 2022 Champions

Wall of Champions gains nine more worthy professionals.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, honored its 2022 Yamaha bLU cRU champions last week at the annual Yamaha Wall of Champions induction ceremony. Held this year at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, nine racers were recognized for their crowning achievements in their respective professional championships in all disciplines.

For our segment, Yamaha racers reaped success off-road. Taking top honors on the YFZ450R was Brycen Neal in the GNCC XC1 Pro ATV Championship and Joel Hetrick in the AMA Pro ATV Motocross Championship. Yamaha racers also swept the Championship Off-Road Tour Side-by-Side (SxS) classes in the pure sport YXZ1000R, with Brock Heger winning the Pro Stock SxS title and Hamish Kelsey winning the Pro Turbo SxS title.

“It was another exciting year for the Yamaha bLU cRU. Securing multiple championships and race wins in 2022, we continue to add to Yamaha’s rich legacy in racing at the highest level,” said Steve Nessl, YMUS Motorsports Marketing Manager. “We are thrilled to honor these racers at this year’s induction ceremony. The Yamaha Wall of Champions not only celebrates the success of these talented riders and drivers but also showcases our commitment to racing and producing world-class products. From all of us at Yamaha, congratulations to the 2022 Wall of Champions inductees.”

The inductees received copies of their honorary plaques that will be added to the Wall of Champions at Yamaha Motorsports headquarters in Marietta, Georgia. Established to honor Yamaha bLU cRU champions with a lasting memory of their accomplishments, the first induction ceremony for the Wall of Champions was held on November 16, 2012. Since then, over 100 racers have been inducted for their achievements.