Yamaha Donates R7 to Charity Raffle for Injured AFT Rider

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Yamaha Motorcycle Product Line Manager Derek Brooks and Rookies of ’79 Executive Director Charlie Roberts show off the R7 clothed in 60th Anniversary livery. (Yamaha Motor Corp., USA /)

To help bolster participation in the Rookies of ‘79 and Friends charity that supports injured American Flat Track (AFT) racers, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, is donating a 2022 YZF-R7.

It’s not just any R7; the raffle bike is the World GP 60th Anniversary model, which features aesthetic updates, including Yamaha’s legendary white/red color scheme, a gold fork with special-edition badging, GP-inspired Tuning Fork emblems, and gold cast aluminum wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 rubber.

The R7 will be the main raffle prize of the Rookies of ‘79 season-long fundraiser, which gets assistance from the AFT series itself.

Raffle tickets will be sold at each AFT round, and a winner will be drawn following the season finale on October 15, 2022, at Florida’s Volusia Speedway.

“I’m proud and pleased that we were able to donate this Yamaha YZF-R7 to The Rookies of ‘79 charity, allowing them to raise money to achieve their mission of helping riders and families in need,” said Derek Brooks, Yamaha motorcycle product line manager. “They are a fantastic organization that does incredible work for the racing community. And as an ex-flat tracker myself, it’s a cause very near and dear to my heart.”

The Rookies of ‘79 and Friends charity was created as its name implies: by the rookie flat track class of 1979 that included Wayne Rainey, John Wincewicz, Ronnie Jones, Charlie Roberts, Scott Parker, and Tommy Duma. All six of these rookies, plus Jackie Mitchel, founded the charity.

The charity’s mission is simple: To provide financial assistance to riders who were injured while racing and their respective families. The funds are produced through sales and raffles of donated memorabilia from fans, fellow riders, and corporate sponsors.

The charity says money raised helps provide an “immediate safety net for amateur and professional riders who often find themselves left with staggering costs and inadequate insurance coverage following injuries suffered while pursuing their passion of racing.”

“The Rookies of ‘79, the official charity of American Flat Track, is blessed and honored to be partnered with Yamaha Motor Corp. for the 2022 season,” Rookies of ‘79 Executive Director Charlie Roberts said. “”Yamaha has provided the charity with a new Yamaha 2022 YZF-R7 for use as our featured raffle bike for the season.

“The bike will be customized in the iconic white and red World GP 60th Anniversary likeness and will be available for viewing at all American Flat Track events. Yamaha’s generosity with this donation in support of the charity’s mission, supporting injured racers and their families, as well as their support of Estenson Racing, is a true testament to their commitment to American flat track racing. Rookies of ‘79 is proud to be part of the Yamaha family!”

To sweeten the pot, Yamaha will also donate a free year of Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.) warranty coverage on the R7.

The Rookies of ‘79 and Friends enters its fifth year as the AFT’s official charity partner. For the past three years, Indian Motorcycle donated FTR 1200 models, which remained on display at the charity’s merchandise booth throughout the seasons. In 2019 and 2020, the raffle helped raise over $65,000 (2021 figures were not released as of this writing).

Those who wish to buy a raffle ticket for the 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7, Rookies of ‘79 merchandise, memorabilia, or make a donation to the charity should visit Rookies of ‘79 or the Rookies of ‘79 tent at American Flat Track national events and various regional flat track events throughout the 2022 racing season.

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