Yamaha president's 50th Anniversary/US GP message.

Takashi Kajikawa, president of Yamaha Motor Co., has released the following message regarding the company's 50th Anniversary, which will be celebrated in style at this weekend's US GP at Laguna Seca:

"On July 1, 2005, Yamaha Motor Company celebrated the 50th Anniversary of our company's founding. We have been able to reach this major milestone thanks to a proud tradition of the Yamaha "Spirit of Challenge" that began with our founding president, Genichi Kawakami in 1955, and has been handed down through the generations of Yamaha employees, and also thanks to the great efforts of our importers and dealers around the world, and finally thanks to the support we have always received from our customers. On behalf of Yamaha Motor, I wish to express our deep gratitude to all these people.

"Throughout our company's 50-year history, racing has always been an arena for us to nurture the spirit of challenge and refine our technology. At the same time, it has been a very important way for us to realize our corporate mission of creating "Kando," which is the Japanese word for feelings of excitement and deep satisfaction. And today, we are more aware than ever of the importance of winning races, because of the tremendous inspiration and motivation it brings to our customers and our business partners around the world.

"Looking back, the first overseas race Yamaha Motor ever participated in was the Catalina Grand Prix in the U.S. of 1958. Later, Yamaha would bring AMA star Kenny Roberts to the GP500 class of the World Championships and create a sensation, when he went on to win three consecutive world titles. Now I am very happy to see the pinnacle competition of world motorcycle road racing return to the U.S. for the first time in 11 years.

"In this race, Yamaha will be represented by our Factory Team's Valentino Rossi, who is presently on a five race consecutive winning streak on the YZR-M1, America's own Colin Edwards as well as the Fortuna Yamaha Team riders Toni Elias and Ruben Xaus.

"For this race the machines of Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards will be sporting the nostalgic Yamaha U.S. racing colours from the 1970s. Also, we are happy to hold events that will welcome 19 great Yamaha road race and motocross riders of the past and present including Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and Giacomo Agostini.

"At the American GP venue this time, we hope that all the members of the media and the fans will have an opportunity to experience first-hand the excitement of another Yamaha racing legend unfolding.

"Yamaha Motor Company is dedicated to the promotion of racing as a form of "Kando" that can be shared not only within the Yamaha family but also with our customers and fans everywhere. That is why we actively pursue race programmes at all levels, from MotoGP to local races in all parts of the world, and not only for motorcycles but in a wide range of categories, from snowmobiles and ATVs to racing karts. We ask for your continued support for us in these activities."