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Yamaha press releases on our motor sports racing activities

Recognizing 7 Successful Yamaha Riders in the Asia and ASEAN Regions
Yamaha Rider Awards "The Spirit of Challenge"

February 6, 2015

SEPANG, MALAYSIA and IWATA, JAPAN, February 5, 2015 – Yamaha Motor has today held the YAMAHA RIDER AWARDS 2015 "The Spirit of Challenge" ceremony at the Yamaha Motorsports Asia/ASEAN Conference in Malaysia. The awards are to recognize those Yamaha riders who have delivered great results in the field of motorsports worldwide during 2014, and provided Kando* to many people.
Following on from the inaugural ceremony last year, this second awards event is targeted to motorsports activities in the Asia and ASEAN regions under the brand strategy which focuses on "sports image". The awards highlight seven Yamaha riders who have made particular contributions in the 2014 season.

These awards were launched in 2014 with the aim of encouraging Yamaha riders and providing them with an impetus to set new goals and lead to further developments, as well as promoting the world of motorsports and increasing its fanbase. Winners of last year's awards are now producing results not only in their domestic races but also in Asia-wide races, developing human resources just as the purpose of the awards intends. This year, we have presented the awards to riders who will be participating in the Asia Road Racing championship which is starting this year, as well as to factory riders who will be participating in the All Japan Championship. Yamaha Motor has high expectations that the recipients of these awards will take on the world stage while creating buzz in the Asia and ASEAN motorsports scene, and lead the company's "sports image" and strengthen its brand image.

*Kando is a Japanese word for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of exceptional value.

Recipients of the YAMAHA RIDER AWARDS 2015 "The Spirit of Challenge"

Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Japan), Chalermpol Polamai (Thailand), Muhammad Izzat Zaidi (Malaysia)
Masato Fernando (Philippines), Imanuel Putra Pratna (Indonesia), Reynaldo Chrisantho Ratukore (Indonesia), Sigit Purno Harjono (Indonesia)

Winners of the YAMAHA RIDER AWARDS 2015 "The Spirit of Challenge"

Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Japan)
Racing Team: YAMAHA YSP Racing Team
Five-time champion of the All Japan Road Race Championship JSB1000, and holder of three consecutive titles
Broke previously-untouched records through overwhelming ability, and contributed to enlivening domestic motorsports

Chalermpol Polamai (Thailand)
Racing Team: Yamaha Thailand Racing Team
Ranked second in the All Japan Road Race Championship ST600, and was a wild card entry in the Moto2 class of the MotoGP World Championship series
Showed ASEAN riders the potential for global success through his efforts in the All-Japan and World Championships

Muhammad Izzat Zaidi (Malaysia)
Racing Team: Team MOTUL YAMAHA YY Pang
PETRONAS AAM MALAYSIAN CUB PRIX CHAMPIONSHIP CP115 Champion
Dominated the pinnacle of domestic racing in his teens and contributed to establishing the "sports image" of Yamaha in Malaysia

Masato Fernando (the Philippines)
Racing Team: YAMAHA SPEC-V RACING TEAM
Scooter Racing Championship Series champion and YAMAHA GP ACR Mio125 MX i champion
Third in the Annual InsideRACING Grand Prix, Entrant in the 11th YAMAHA ASEAN CUP RACE
As the top domestic rider, he delivered good results in the scooter and underbone race, and is a driving force behind domestic motorsports

Imanuel Putra Pratna (Indonesia)
Racing Team: Yamaha Racing Indonesia A
Won the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Road Race
Won victory in the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Race, joining the ranks of riders competing at the Asia-wide level and contributing to the enhancement of the domestic Yamaha brand

Reynaldo Chrisantho Ratukore (Indonesia)
Racing Team: Yamaha Racing Indonesia A
Won the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Road Race
Won victory in the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Race, joining the ranks of riders competing at the Asia-wide level and contributing to the enhancement of the domestic Yamaha brand

Sigit Purno Harjono (Indonesia)
Racing Team: Yamaha Racing Indonesia B
Placed second in the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Road Race
Took second place in the Suzuka 4 Hours Endurance Race, joining the ranks of riders competing at the Asia-wide level and contributing to the enhancement of the domestic Yamaha brand

Outline of the YAMAHA RIDER AWARDS 2015 "The Spirit of Challenge"

The YAMAHA RIDER AWARDS 2015 "The Spirit of Challenge" is an award system established in 2014 to recognize the effort and achievements of Yamaha riders who delivered great results on the track and pro
vided the excitement we call Kando* to a large number of people through participation in motorsports held worldwide. It is hoped that this program will become a new goal and incentive to spur Yamaha riders
on to further growth. At the same time it is aimed at encouraging the spread of motorsports and growth in the number of fans of the sport.