Image: Keith Muir.

Yamaha Motor Australia has announced that the R3 Cup will form part of the 2017 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) once again with support from Yamaha Motor Finance (YMF) and Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance (YMI).

The five-round championship will feature at the Wakefield Park, Winton, Morgan Park, Sydney Motorsport Park and Phillip Island rounds of the ASBK. That calendar was released by Motorcycling Australia (MA) last week.

“The huge success of the 2016 R3 Cup has made the decision to go again for 2017 a no-brainer,” commented YMA general manager and director, Steven Cotterell. “This entry level competition emphasises the enjoyment of riding and competing on equal and cost-effective machinery. Yamaha is continuing to introduce new riders to the sport in order to help build a more solid future for Australian road racing.”

YMA is subsidising the cost of the race-kitted bikes in order to assist riders wanting a low cost, hassle-free introduction to road racing. Just $7900 buys a YZF-R3 in road trim with the addition of a full race kit, which gives the option to return the bike into road-going form if desired.

The race kit consists of the following products:
– Plain black racing fibreglass bodywork set, includes belly-pan oil catch tray and plugs.
– A decal kit featuring the associated contingency brands (minimalist in design to allow your own choice of race livery).
– Mupo rear suspension unit and Mupo front fork springs and internal damper assembly.
– Oxford rear wheel race stand.
– Rear-set footpeg kit (allows nine positions for footpegs back and up from standard).
– Range of sprockets (standard is 14/43, optional sizes 13 front, 42 and 43 rear provided to allow tuning for each circuit).
– Akrapovic Racing exhaust system (increased power while still conforming to applicable noise standards, lighter and provides better ground clearance).
– Muffler mounting bracket (enables removal of pillion foot-rest).
– Repositioning kit for handlebars (places them under the top triple-clamp and provides for a more crouched racing riding position in combination with the foot-pegs).
– Axle and fairing crash knobs, stand pick-ups, chain guard, engine case protection set, Radiator mesh guard (all from R+G).
– Yamalube Service kit and CD with parts book and service manual.

To make it even easier, the customer may purchase the racing YZF-R3 using YMF finance. With the package price of $7900, the repayment amount over a 12-month term would be $168 per week or $88 over a 24-month term – both rounded numbers.

To be eligible for the YMF/YMI R3 Cup championship, as well as the considerable prize and contingency packages that will be on offer, four of the five rounds that are planned need to be competed. Prizes and contingencies are once again focused on the lower grades and newcomers. Head to www.yamaha-motor.com.au to download an application form.