New Zealander Hamish Dobbyn has this week signed a major groundbreaking sponsorship deal with both Yamaha New Zealand and Yamaha Australia for 2008 and 2009.
Dobbyn has been a top contender the junior ranks both countires, recently winning the Australian National 14 -16 yrs Development Series. Dobbyn said he is very excited about this deal as he can now concentrate on job at hand. "I just love the Yamaha brand and feel very comfortable on them and the 2008 models are just awesome this year" Dobbyn tested the 2008 models last week and was amazed with the overall package.
Dobbyn's manager Paul Williams said today "Hamish thought the new Yamahas were just awesome at testing last week and came in with a smile from ear to ear. His laptimes were much better and he can't wait for the next race meeting. Hamish is racing the Rodney Clubday this weekend and the Waikato Champs next weekend before heading off to Australia for the Honda Australian Junior Motocross Championships being held in Coolum in Queensland at the end of this month."
Williams also confirmed that Dobbyn would race in the Australian under 19 Nationals in 2008 and may well look at going senior in the MX1 class in 2008 in New Zealand. "We have a number of possibilities we are looking at with a long term view of going to the World MX2 Championships in 2010" Williams said. "We will make the decision about whether to go senior or not at the Woodville GP after Christmas.' he continued.
Williams did confirm however that Dobbyn had entered the 2007 Summercross at Whakatane not only in the junior 250cc races but also in the open MX1 class. "Hamish is only 15 so it's a bit of a test really. There are pros and cons with going senior at such an age, however Hamish has already proved he has the speed on the YZF450 in recent months often matching and sometimes even bettering the laptimes with the likes of Darryl and Damien King."
This sponsorship is a new direction for both Yamaha NZ and Australia to support a very promising rider with a long term plan. Dobbyn has been identified by many as world championship potential. Harry Everts, father to 10 times world champion and Stefan Everts has already stated that Dobbyn has the potential and work ethic to go all the way to the top.
Main Photo: Yamaha NZ's Peter Payne with Hamish after the contract was signed
Credit: FPR Australia.
