Multi-time world and Australian off-road champion, Jess Gardiner, has extended her relationship with Yamaha for another season with a newly signed deal that will have her more aligned with the bLU cRU than ever before.
Media Information: 15 March 2022Gardiner, Jeremy Carpentier and Danielle Macdonald will form the Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road team for the 2022 season and have a more corporate Yamaha look and feel about the team as well as using more Yamaha aligned products.
With the team not only engaged in the Australian Off Road Championship and the Hattah Desert race, they will host and run a range of coaching and camping dirt bike weekends as well as be utilised in Yamaha dealer activities and promotions throughout the year under the ‘Off-Road Riding Institute’ banner. With this redirection of the team, Yamalube lubricants and GYTR performance parts will now partner the team alongside Yamaha and present a united and uniform look for the team.
Gardiner will be back to defend her Women’s AORC crown and look to keep her reign as Australia’s Queen of off-road racing a little longer. With numerous championship victories already to her name, Gardiner is determined to keep her winning streak alive and has worked hard during the off season to ensure she hits the opening round in top shape.
Jeremy Carpentier will continue with the team, only this year moving to the E1 class on board the 250cc machine. Carpentier has been a long time E2 (450cc) rider but the change in class has revigorated him and he is enthusiastic about the season ahead. Carpentier will also work alongside Gardiner in a coaching role and together the pair offer years of national and international experience to be passed on to students.
The junior of the team is Danielle Macdonald. The 14-year-old YZ125 pilot will contest all the AORC rounds as well as selected motocross events to keep herself sharp. Danielle has shown she has the work ethic and determination for success and works closely with Gardiner and Carpentier as they guide her through an important stage of her career.
“We are honoured to have closer ties with Yamaha Australia and to work with them in a racing and lifestyle role,” Gardiner begins. “We started talking about this some time ago and together we have worked on a plan that both the racing and the coaching sides of our business will be developed and excited that Yamaha Australia share our vision.
“We are also glad to have increased support from Yamaha via Yamalube and GYTR. This now sees us fully aligned with Yamaha’s products and we are proud to represent them in racing, coaching and dealer engagements.
“It’s not long until the 2022 season gets underway and we are all ready to go. We only had one round last year due to Covid it’s been far too long between national AORC events. Danielle and Jeremy are both riding as well as ever and both have added motivation with Jeremy going to E1 and Danielle riding the new YZ125, so I believe we are in for a great year,” she ends.
Overseeing her coaching, camping and lifestyle role is Yamaha’s Nick Marshall and believes the additional support in JGR will only help boost rider numbers and team profile.
“We have worked with Jess and her team over the last few seasons but this year we had a focus on bringing the team 100% in house and utilising her knowledge in coaching. Together we will offer plenty of unique opportunities for all riders with an aim to increase participation and safety in an off-road environment.
“It also continues Yamaha Australia’s long-time support of female riders and an area we will continue to invest in,” Marshall said.
The opening round of the AORC cranks up on March 19 at Cherrabah in Queensland, while keep an eye out for upcoming days for JGR Off Road Riding Institute events.