Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia-Pacific Championship　Young Asian and Oceanian Riders to the World Stage; Japan’s Okunuki Wins Inaugural Title

December 25, 2024

December 25, 2024—The inaugural season of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Asia-Pacific Championship (R3 bLU cRU APC), which was held with support from Yamaha and Yamaha group companies, came to a close, with the final round held at Bend Motorsports Park in Australia between November 8-10.

The R3 bLU cRU APC was launched this year with the goal of discovering young riders with potential in Asia and Oceania and developing them to step up to the world stage. As part of a scholarship style program, the title-winning rider earns the right to compete in the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup for two years starting the following season. Held in conjunction with the Superbike World Championship, the R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup is run by “Yamaha Motor Europe,” a Yamaha group company.

One reason Yamaha emphasizes a step-up program toward racing in Europe is the story of 18-year-old Indonesian rider Aldi Satya Mahendra, who is supported by Yamaha group company “Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing” (YIMM). Mahendra competed in the Asian Road Racing Championship before moving to Europe, where he won the second in the R3 World Cup, and in the 2024 season was able to lift the Supersport 300 World Championship title. Next season he will compete in the Supersport World Championship, and his career so far is a clear example of how important it is for up-and-coming riders to gain racing experience in Europe at a young age.

Although the ultimate goal is for the riders to reach MotoGP, becoming the next Aldi Satya Mahendra is a secondary goal. It is Yamaha’s hope that after gaining experience at the world level, these riders can become symbols of Yamaha's motorsports activities in their respective countries and regions; local heroes inspiring the younger generation of riders.

Thai Yamaha Motor has supported and encouraged the growth of riders like Decha Kraisart and Ratthapong Wilairaot, who have achieved strong results in the Asia Road Racing Championship and others in the past. They both now serve as role models and advisors to young riders in Thailand, and continue to guide them based on their experience and knowledge. In this way the R3 bLU cRU APC helps to create a cycle of personnel development capable of producing the next Kraisart or Wilairot.

Because there are so many goals and objectives for the R3 bLU cRU APC, each weekend’s agenda offers the chance for riders to gain broad experience in areas other than simply racing. Some examples include learning about proper diet, training methods and conditioning from experts, as well as learning basic knowledge of riding skills, machine setup and bike parts from advisors and mechanics. Mental coaches also provide mental training for riders. These additional experiences ensure that young riders are nurtured and developed, raising their levels to help them compete in races in their respective countries and regions, even if they do not get the chance to race in Europe.

The riders’ parents all mentioned how they were pleased with the clear path from Asia to world level racing created by the R3 bLU cRU APC’s strong connection to the FIM World Cup in Europe. By offering fully-fledged training programs and low-cost rental packages, Yamaha is proud that the R3 bLU cRU APC is now able to open the door for young riders to challenge themselves to make their racing dreams a reality.

In 2024, 20 young riders aged 13 to 17 from six countries, including 13 from Thailand, three from the Philippines, and one each from Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand, competed across a total of six events and 12 races.

The season began with Japanese rider Sho Okunuki winning the opening two races, as Thai rider Sakchai Khongduangdee, Australian rider Ryan Larkin, Thai rider Tanakit Pretesting, New Zealand rider Haydn Fordyce and others pushed each other to grow and get stronger.

Later on in the season, Okunuki won both races at Round 4 in Japan and was expected to become a strong title favorite, but Khongduangdee responded with two wins at Round 5 in Thailand. The title then came down to the final round in Australia, where Okunuki took his fifth win of the season in Race 1 to secure the first ever R3 bLU cRU APC title and earn the chance to compete in the FIM World Cup.

Okunuki shared some reactions to his title win. “My friends and family congratulated me a lot, but what was special was that my Dad also told me ‘Thank you.’ I could only respond with, ‘No, thank you.’ I think it was the happiest moment of my life.” He also spoke about his growth this season. “To be honest, I was apprehensive to start the season because I had the idea that riders from outside Japan were aggressive. But my double win at the opening round gave me momentum I needed, and at the same time, I learned how to carry a race and how to win. I got good at focusing during the final three laps.”

“Next season, I’ll start my challenge in Europe. First of all, I have to keep my spirit up. In the races, I want to work on my corner entry, braking, riding position and lean timing, so I can be a rider who’s hard to overtake, and not leave my inside open. I’ll do my best to fight for the top positions from the opening round, and my goal is to win the title.” It is clear that Okunuki, as the first R3 bLU cRU APC champion, will be aiming to lift the title in the FIM World Cup next season.

This season, in addition to the 20 regular riders, riders from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam made wildcard appearances, and in the end, a total of 30 riders from nine countries participated. Yamaha will continue to support young riders from Asia and Oceania aiming to reach the world stage. The application guidelines for 2025 will be announced at a later date.