Yamaha Outboards is proud to report on Team Yamaha Four-Stroke’s racing performance in its inaugural racing season. Dubbed the new team on the grid, powered by the most technically advanced four-stroke outboard on the planet, Team Yamaha Four-Stroke have had a fairy tale first season, with five new trophies taking up premium real-estate on the mantel piece.  

In race classes historically dominated by ‘holeshot happy’ two-stroke outboards, team “Yamaha Four-stroke” had a lot to prove in their first season. Powering their purpose built 20ft Labsport VF2 is Yamaha’s answer to the aging-technology two-stroke outboards that the competition use, the four-stroke 4.2 litre V6, Yamaha VF200 VMAX SHO. 

“The high performance VF200 is a cut above the rest, significantly lighter than traditional four-strokes at 229kg and uses supercar derived engine technology such as a plasma fused sleeveless cylinder block and variable camshaft timing, making it as torquey, and as light as the competition’s two-stroke outboards. We’re using half the fuel and burning no oil that the old DFI outboard use to burn. Suffice to say, the two-stroke holeshot performance previously missing from four-strokes in racing, is finally there” Said Clayton Allard, Captain of Team Yamaha Four-Stroke. 

“With the majority of competitors using the tried and tested Mercury Two-stroke 200XS, we had a few sceptics to prove wrong as the only four-stroke powered boat on the grid.”

Race 1 – 2013 Bridge to Bridge - 60mph class

The iconic 2013 60 mph class Bridge to Bridge flat water river race played host to Team Yamaha Four Stroke’s inaugural race. Taking advantage of the responsive holeshot performance of the Yamaha VF200 VMAX SHO outboard, the team rocketed off the start line and were the first team to the first corner buoy. The team wrestled with the two-stroke rich grid to muscle their way to an eventual 2nd place race finish, an exceptional race result for the team’s first race.

Race 2 – 2014 National Titles - 200HP class

With the Yamaha VF200 VMAX SHO’s performance silencing critics in the race paddocks across the nation, Team Yamaha Four-Stroke’s racing crusade led them to the 2014 Australian National Titles in Jindabyne, NSW. The coveted title sought by water ski racers across the world and undoubtedly the most anticipated event of the Australian water ski racing calendar. 

With expectations set high, Team Yamaha Four-Stroke entered the 200HP class race alongside a grid of three other ski race boats, all powered by the Mercury 200XS outboards. To really shake things up, the race organisers also had the 200HP class race starting in conjunction with the 6 litre V8 inboard class. With both classes combined on the grid, a good race start became increasingly significant, as being left behind in the bigger V8’s wake would prove detrimental to overall race pace of the team. With the hopes of another podium finish on their mind, Team Yamaha Four-Stroke started their 200HP class race with another trademark holeshot performance, launching off the line and sprinted with haste, towards the first corner buoy ahead of all competitors including the bigger 400HP+ 6L V8 inboards that were racing at the same time. Over the course of the race, Team Yamaha Four-Stroke tussled with the two-stroke 200HP and V8 powered competitors, eventually pulling away from the competition, courtesy of the light and powerful VF200 engine. With the controls pinned to wide-open, the team continued to extend their lead. Finally after 30 minutes and 38 seconds of cut and shut racing, the team crossed the line a full 2 minutes ahead of second place, to take the win and secure the team’s first National title! 

“We’re thrilled with the race win today, the boat performed flawlessly. We gave the Yammie hell today and she kept asking for more. The engine took everything we could throw at it, at times we were on and off the sticks and at other times we were mashing the VF200 off the rev limiter. I couldn’t have asked for a better race package” Said Clayton Allard, Captain of Team Yamaha Four-Stroke.

 

Race 3 2014 – Southern 80 – 60mph class

With two podiums under their belts, Team Yamaha Four-Stroke took to the water for the 2014 Southern 80, 60mph class ski race. A challenging 60 mph speed capped race amongst fifty other competitors. With a less-than-desired start, the team solidified their position in the middle of the fifty strong pack. Over the course of the race, the team worked tirelessly to make their way towards the front of the grid, eventually finishing a solid 13th out of 50, a very good result for the speed limited race.

Race 4 & 5 – 2014 NSW series race – 70mph social class & 70mph class

The 2014 NSW Series race played host to the team’s fourth and fifth races of their 2013/2014 season. With the team taking top honours with a win in the 70 mph social race and placing a very tidy second place in the 70 mph expert class. These two podium finishes sent a resonating shock through the ranks of predominately 2-stroke powered competitors.

Race 6 – 2014 Bridge to Bridge 1up – 70mph class

Ending the season where it all started, the last race of the 2013/2014 season was the prestigious 1 up Bridge to Bridge ski race in the 70mph class. Some of the toughest on-water conditions previously seen in the history of the competition were dished out across the course making the race that much more challenging for the competition of racers. Team Yamaha Four-Stroke had their work cut out for them, with the wild weather and the equally wild line-up of competitors: consisting of bigger, more powerful outboards and some monstrous twin-turbo V8 inboard competitors. 

At the drop of the start flag, Capt. Clayton Allard pinned the throttle and made good use of the trademark VMAX SHO holeshot performance and once again claim the first corner buoy out of their grid. With only the weather conditions holding them back, the team pushed their limits as they made their way down the 100km long course to eventually finish in 2nd place; marking their fifth podium finish in as little as six races and concluding their inaugural season. 

Yamaha Motor Australia would like to congratulate team Yamaha Four Stroke: Cameron Peoples, David Moretti, Wade Stanford and Skipper Clayton Allard on their outstanding performance thus far and in their 2013/2014 season. 

Out of the six races entered, the five podium positions, consisting of two 1st places and three 2nd places is fine testament to their outstanding watercraft handling skills and their Labsport boat’s proven performance powered by the Yamaha VF200 VMAX SHO Outboard. 

With race trophies and the 2014 National title as proof, the range of Yamaha 4.2 litre VMAX SHO outboards is the clean, light and powerful “game changer” that performance seeking boaters have been craving for.

Join the revolution and checkout the full range of “game changing” Yamaha VMAX SHO four-stroke outboards at http://tiny.cc/clr4fx