Yamaha R1 raises $87,000
A one-of-a-kind Yamaha GYTR-equipped YZF-R1, featuring Yamaha’s 50th Anniversary red-and-white paint scheme and ridden in demonstration laps by Kenny Roberts at last month’s Red Bull United States Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, was sold to the highest bidder at Mecum’s Motorcycle Auction on Thursday night in Monterey, Calif. Special guest auctioneers for the event were Roberts himself, along with television personality Jay Leno.
Proceeds from the auction benefited Bailey’s Café, a non-profit organization that brings youth and elders together through the arts and services and is located in Brooklyn, N.Y. The highest bidder was Milton Verret, who engaged in some spirited bidding and signaled his approval of a final bid and donations totaling $87,000 before the gavel fell.
“This auction was another exciting event in our ongoing celebration of Yamaha’s 50th Anniversary of World Grand Prix Racing,” said Bob Starr, general manager, national communications for Yamaha’s Motorsports Group. “With Kenny and Jay involved in the fun — and for such a worthwhile cause — it was an especially memorable event.”
