Yamaha celebrate 50, winner collects prize at Silverstone

On 28th May, Yamaha celebrated its 50th year of grand prix racing with dealers across the UK holding a special open day to mark the occasion. Thousands of hopeful motorcyclists entered a competition on the day to win the top prize of a brand new YZF-R1 plus VIP passes to the British MotoGP last weekend.
 
The lucky recipient of the R1 with its stunning one-off 50th anniversary paintwork (courtesy of Altamura Concepts) was Karen Oades of Plymouth, who entered the competition at local Yamaha dealer, Damerells.
 
As well as winning the stunning R1, replete with Akropovic exhausts, Karen and partner Brett, were also treated to hospitality with the factory Yamaha MotoGP team at the event.
 
Whilst posing with the bike for photographs and being the first time Karen had seen the bike, she said 'It's so beautiful; it would be a shame to ride it'. She went on to say 'I think we might just put it in the living room!'
 
Karen's partner Brett, already an R1 owner, had different ideas 'I agree, it seems a shame to use it but I can't wait to ride it on my next trip down to Valencia'.
 
Even the poor weather on race day couldn't dampen the spirits of winner Karen. 'It's been an absolutely fantastic weekend', 'The Yamaha hospitality is incredible and we even got to meet Ben Spies!'