Yamaha MotoGP's Vinales Drumrolls YZF-R3 Launch, Local Race Season

Yamaha Moto GP rider Maverick Viñales made sure that the race season this year in the Philippines will be more exciting than ever to give the limelight to the country's young racers during the launch of the 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3.

Straight from his practice session, 'Top Gun' shared the limelight at the launch with the National Team duo of Masato 'The Chairman' Fernando and McKinley Kyle 'Wonder Boy' Paz of UMA Racing Yamaha Philippines Team who are now eyeing the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARCC).

Both vowed to put their best in the ARCC as they have shown eagerness to represent the country and show the caliber of Filipino riders.

"We are focused, and we will do our best in the ARCC," Paz said in the local vernacular.

"This is for everyone, for the Philippines, Yamaha, and those who have thrown their support on us," Fernando added.

For his part, Vinales shared some words of wisdom to the racers, saying that they should be as determined as ever. "Never give up, boys, keep going," the Top Gun shared with the two.

Aside from that, Vinales shared the center stage of the event with the selected riders from the Underbone King Sniper 150 National Championships. The riders will be vying for a spot in the national team in the next tournament.

They are:

• Kervie Begania
• Andrei Samuel Reyes
• Aaron Wyner Blente
• Erika Ondillo
• Leeandro Paredes
• Jasper James Cruz
• Alicia Ortega
• Kerwin Chang
• Sean Ethan Barcial
• Amber Torres
• Justinne Bethany Tolentino

The event also revealed the riders for the 10th Yamaha Grand Prix Season--UB150 category. The longest running one-make race in the country, the latest batch are a mixture of perennial contenders and new challengers ready to make their mark.

YGP UB150 RIDERS

* Luzon

• Amber Torres
• Dustin Esguerra
• Kerwin Chang
• Niel Jan Centeno
• Robert Ryan Espiritu
• Tonton Farin

* Visayas

• Jannesse Llois Lucero
• Mario Bourbon Jr.
• Garry Caneda Jr.

* Mindanao

• Ephraim Onahon
• Rhowell Matias Mangosong IV
• Ernie Daguio Jr. #8

Yamaha also continued its partnership with 4S1M racing team and Phoenix Yamaha Koso-Faito Racing Team namely:

YAMAHA 4S1M RACING TEAM

Mark Clinton Tan (Team Owner)

Ronald Uy (Team Manager)

Wlifredo Faustino III (Team Chief Mechanic)

John Emerson Inguit (Rider)

Herbert Lopez (Rider)

Robert Ryan Espiritu (Rider)

PHOENIX YAMAHA KOSO-FAITO RACING TEAM

Sheldon Ang (Senior Team Manager)

Antonio Fernando Jr (Team Manager)

Kempee Ang (Asst. Team Manager)

Neil Jan Centeno (Rider)

Justinne Bethany Tolentino (Rider)

Vrei-Ar Suba (Rider)

But the main star of the show did not lose its glitter at the launch. In fact, Vinales was literally on top of the situation during the revealing of the latest YZF-R3. Designed with a bodywork mirroring the YZR-M1, the 2019 YZF R3 was engineered to be sleeker and more aerodynamic compared to its predecessors. Priced at PHP259,000, the target market for the latest models are the previous R3 owners who wanted upgrades and 'graduates' from the FZ and TFX, as per Yamaha Marketing/Communications assistant supervisor Jen Perey.

The compact and lightweight structure is an ultimate balance of strength and rigidity. It is racing quality at its finest.

As for the ride? Vinales said that should he be riding outside the track, the new YZF R3 is his preferred weapon of choice, saying that it is built for everyday ride.