Yamaha R1DT Cars Featured at Cory Kruseman Driving School

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, has loaned two of its prototype R1DT race cars to the Cory Kruseman Driving School in Ventura, California, for continued testing, driver training, and real-world feedback.

The prototype dirt track racecars were introduced to racing last fall during the “Yamaha R1DT Invitational” exhibition race at Perris Auto Speedway with Kruseman as one of the headline drivers. The cars have quickly caught the attention of racers, sanctioning bodies, and racing fans across the country for their unique design and production possibilities. Their potential to be a low maintenance, low cost-of-operation, turnkey production racer with national retail distribution, financing and parts-support could bring a new level of accessibility to fans and would-be-racers from outside of the current dirt track world.

Yamaha R1DT Dirt Racing Concept: First Drive

“After testing the R1DT car and racing at Perris, we think this is a great concept for the sport, and we believe it’s going to be a ton of fun to drive in our school,” Kruseman said upon receiving two R1DT’s just last week. “From beginning students to professional drivers, I think anyone coming to our driving school can both enjoy and learn from driving these cars. It’s going to be fun to hear what more drivers have to say once they get some seat time.”

The Yamaha R1DT concept was designed with the potential to introduce dirt track enthusiasts to Yamaha quality and performance while simultaneously attracting more motorsports enthusiasts and racers to the exciting world of dirt track racing. The prototypes are tube chassis, purpose-built dirt track cars powered by a fuel injected, inline 4-cylinder engine from Yamaha’s R1S production motorcycle. Drivers can turn laps in the new cars at Kruseman’s school starting in March.

“A big part of the ongoing project to bring these cars to actualization is to get driver feedback on the car,” said Dave Park, Yamaha’s R1DT project manager. “We want to hear from more drivers: What they like, what they might change. These cars are still prototypes, and we’re going to make sure they are dialed before we go into production – assuming we can get them to the finish line.”

The Yamaha R1DT concept brings some unique features to dirt track racing, like symmetrical suspension components, variable engine output, data acquisition, and the ability to run on pump gas. The R1DT is designed to be a budget friendly, turnkey, low maintenance solution. Ultimately, if the project makes it to production, it could become an all-new racing package that can reduce operating costs and serve as a training tool for up-and-coming drivers without sacrificing the fun factor for more experienced racers.

For more information and updates on the Yamaha R1DT prototype car, visit www.facebook.com/yamahadirttrack, www.twitter.com/yamahadirttrack, and www.instagram.com/yamahadirttrack. #YamahaDirtTrack