Yamaha Media Relations Photo
Estenson Racing to head Yamaha BLU CRU’s MotoAmerica Talent Cup
title campaign with up-and-coming rider Sam Drane
MARIETTA, Ga. – March 19, 2025 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
(YMUS) is excited to announce Estenson Racing as the official Yamaha BLU
CRU MotoAmerica Talent Cup team for the 2025 inaugural season. This
expanded partnership with Estenson Racing – also Yamaha’s official
American Flat Track team – will see the successful program campaign
for top honors with up-and-coming racer Sam Drane in the exciting new
championship that is designed to provide a steppingstone to higher
levels of road-racing competition.
From its early beginnings in 2018, Estenson Racing has enjoyed a lot of
success with Yamaha in the American Flat Track series. In addition to
three AFT Singles titles, the team rose to being a serious title
contender in the premier SuperTwins class. Alongside technical
development in the sport of dirt track racing, the team has also worked
to bring up-and-coming talent through the ranks, starting with Dallas
Daniels, who after concluding a successful amateur career with both
Nicky Hayden AMA Horizon Awards for Flat Track and Road Racing, went on
to earn back-to-back AFT Singles titles with the team and contend for
the SuperTwins crown since his debut in the premier class.
On the heels of three 85cc AMA Flat Track Grand National titles in 2022
and being named AMA Youth Rider of the Year, Sam Drane was signed to
Estenson Racing’s rider development program in 2023. Joining his
brother Tom, who heads the team’s efforts in the AFT Singles
Championship, Sam has added more amateur titles to his resume, including
three AMA Flat Track Grand National Championships aboard the YZ250F. The
14-year-old Australian – who has already demonstrated road racing
aptitude riding the Yamaha R3 to victory at Philip Island in the
Australian Supersport 300 class – now sets his sights on taking top
honors in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup aboard the Yamaha BLU CRU branded
Kramer APX-350 MA Moto 3 machine.
Beginning in 2013 as an initiative designed to reward racers and support
Yamaha’s YZ contingency program, BLU CRU evolved into a broader
customer loyalty program and a global initiative with international
collaborations, training camps, and events designed for every rider. It
is also the foundation of Yamaha’s talent development program, which
is designed to cultivate the next generation of talent in both road and
off-road racing and to help pave the way to success in their respective
premier class championships, reaching the highest levels in the
SuperMotocross World Championship and MotoGP.
New for 2025 is the MotoAmerica Talent Cup. Part of the “Road to
MotoGP,” which is the collective name for global competitions and
programs for young riders around the world that MotoGP supports, the
seven-round, 14-race championship is designed to be a stepping stone to
higher levels of road racing competition. All riders compete on the same
machinery, highlighting rider skill and talent. Participants will also
receive coaching and support from former racers and technical staff to
help build their skills, race craft, and understanding of the sport. ln
addition to competing for the national title, up to five of the
top-ranked riders in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup will get invited to
participate in the RedBull MotoGP Rookies Cup Selection Event.
The MotoAmerica Talent Cup begins its debut season on the world stage,
with the opening round being held in conjunction with MotoGP at the
Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, on March 28-30.
Jeff Sidlovsky – Yamaha Racing Assistant Department Manager for YMUS
“We are pleased to announce our expanded partnership with Estenson
Racing to lead our efforts in the MotoAmerica Talent Cup. Together, we
have already achieved a lot of success in American Flat Track, and we
look forward to continuing that success in this new MotoAmerica class
championship. We are also proud to be a part of the MotoAmerica Talent
Cup as it is a series designed to nurture young riders and provide a
more direct path to higher levels of racing, and meshes well with our
BLU CRU initiatives to foster racing.”
Tommy Hayden – Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing Team Manager
“Sam has been a part of our amateur program for the past couple of
years. With his brother Tom racing for the team in AFT Singles, he’s
been around the shop and trains with the team during the week, so
we’ve been working with him and have gotten to know him well. He has
an interest in road racing, and the MotoAmerica Talent Cup seemed like a
cool class and opportunity for a young up-and-coming rider like Sam. The
new series was something that Yamaha was excited about as well, and it
all came together. We’re really looking forward to getting the season
started at COTA.”
Sam Drane – Yamaha BLU CRU Estenson Racing #59
“I’m really excited to be racing the MotoAmerica Talent Cup this
year. I’d like to thank Estenson Racing and Yamaha for the
opportunity. It’s going to be really fun, and I’m really looking
forward to the year ahead and seeing what it brings.”
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