The GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing Team has undergone a revamp for the 2023 season that will now see riders not only spread around the country but also across multiple disciplines as YJR heads off road with 11 riders ready and raring to go.
In place of the state-by-state teams, YJR will now become a unified team that seeks out quality riders and families in motocross and off-road racing. Still the largest junior development program in the country with 11 riders racing under the GYTR YJR banner, it will now cover MX3, Junior MX and Junior Off-Road and ensure there is a pathway forward for aspiring riders of the future with Yamaha. MX3 division will have Seth Burchell and Kobe Drew competing at the ProMX rounds on board the YZ250F. Both were place getters at the 2022 Australian Junior Motocross Championship in September and are now full-time senior riders and looking to make the next step in their careers.
In the junior divisions, YJR will be represented by Blake Bohannon, Heath Davy, Deegan Fort, Jobe Dunne, Kayd Kingsford, Koby Hantis and Jake Cannon. The later three are all over 14 years of age and also able to contest MX3 class at the ProMX as well as junior events.
Davy and Cannon are the current national champions of their respective age groups while the team as added Blake Bohannon and Koby Hantis from NSW. Dunne is a multi-time state champion and Deegan Fort is the pocket rocket from WA who finished second at the AJMX in 2022.
Branching into off road for the first time, YJR will have Harley Hutton from QLD and Marcus Nowland from NSW representing the team. Both were the champions of their respective age groups in the 2022 AORC and with the additional support in 2023, will be out to continue the impressive results.
“We made some changes to YJR for 2023 in an effort to increase our footprint in off road but also maintain the profile we have in motocross,” explains Motorsport Manager, Scott Bishop. “We now have a pathway for Yamaha riders in motocross, off road and road where we can take you from junior through to the highest level in Australia if you have what it takes.
“With 11 YJR riders, it’s still a huge racing program and there is significant support behind each rider. Bringing in Marcus and Harley for off road will be a benefit for the team and with both riders still early in the racing careers, we have the time to develop them and work alongside the ShopYamaha team at AORC events.
“Having riders in MX3 also allows those turning 16 another level of support to continue racing as they find their feet in professional racing. It’s a big step up from juniors to MX2 and support can be hard to find, so we have provided a place to house our emerging riders as they mature into professional racing.
“YJR has been going for over 15 years as a national program and Yamaha will continue to unearth and nurture racing talent. From YJR to ShopYamaha, from YJR to CDR Yamaha or OJC to YRT, Yamaha Australia provides the most comprehensive pathway for any aspiring racer,” Bishop ends.
2023 Yamaha Junior Racing Team
Seth Burchell: MX3 – YZ250F
Kobe Drew: MX3 – YZ250F
Jake Cannon: 15 years – YZ125 and YZ250F
Kayd Kingsford: 15 years- YZ125 and YZ250F
Koby Hantis: 15 years – YZ125 and YZ250F
Jobe Dunne : 12-14 years - YZ85 and YZ125
Heath Davy: 12-14 years – YZ85- YZ125
Deegan Fort: 12 years – YZ85cc
Blake Bohannon- 10-12 years – YZ65 and YZ85
Marcus Nowland – J2 – YZ85
Harley Hutton – J2 – YZ85