Laying the Foundation: Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha Focused on Building Future Champions
Get to know YMUS’ new official amateur motocross team – Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha – which is developing the next generation of riding talent in supercross, motocross, and SMX / May 21, 2025 /
With the goal of providing an environment for cultivating future champions of the sport, the Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha team was born. Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.’s (YMUS) new official amateur motocross team is a comprehensive program designed to give young talent a clear path from 65cc to 250cc competition aboard Yamaha machinery. The team quickly assembled a program with a group of talented young riders backed by an experienced crew, and has found early success as they look to continue Yamaha’s legacy of developing the next generation of talent from the amateur program to the pinnacle of the sport in Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Pro Motocross, and the SuperMotocross World Championships.
“We’re excited about this new partnership with Altus Motorsports,” said Donnie Luce, the Amateur MX/ ATV / SXS/ Off-Road Coordinator for YMUS. “The new team is focused on producing positive results on YZ65, YZ85, YZ85 Large Wheel, YZ125, and YZ250F models, while continuing Yamaha’s long history of building future SX, MX, and SMX Champions that have graduated from the Yamaha Amateur program. Following in the footsteps of some recent graduates – Jeremy Martin, Cooper Webb, Aaron Plessinger, Chase Sexton, Justin Cooper, Levi Kitchen, Haiden Deegan, and Daxton Bennick – we’re really excited about this young group of riders on the Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha team.”
Although new for 2025, the team’s roots run deep in racing. The family-owned dealership in Altus, Oklahoma, has been a Yamaha National Trackside Support Dealer since 2017, with Jordan Nassaney, Altus Motorsports’ General Manager, as the driving force behind their off-road racing endeavors. One of the four Yamaha National Trackside Support Dealers, Altus Motorsports, has already played a key role in helping Yamaha’s next generation of talent, providing essential technical support and emergency parts to BLU CRU riders at key regional events. Their latest chapter marks a new era with the launch of a dedicated race team, furthering their commitment to developing future champions.
“We can sign these kids after they get off of 50s, and hopefully keep them throughout their amateur career,” Nassaney said. “I’ve grown up racing, so racing’s always been in my blood. I love being able to help these kids be successful. To push them and see them win is amazing. It’s very rewarding, trying to get them to the next level and helping them grow and eventually turn pro.”
Coming on board as the team manager is Ed Torrance. Being involved with Yamaha’s amateur race program for over a decade, Torrance brings with him a wealth of experience and a history of championship success with Yamaha in the amateur ranks.
“I think it’s a great program because Yamaha has a stepping stone to the next level,” Torrance said. “We assist in the development of these young riders and work to give them the tools for success as they transition to the big bikes. These younger riders that come up through our team will further develop their skills and win championships on Yamahas before hopefully making a successful transition to Star Racing or any other Yamaha-affiliated Teams. Star Racing has a long history of producing champions in the pro series due to everything they do, and we are trying to do the same in the amateur ranks.”
Torrance has seen a lot of talented riders advance through Yamaha’s Amateur program to the professional level, and also understands the value of continuing on with the same team for rider development. “I like to see somebody come all the way through the program and go all the way up to the top,” he said. “You put all the time and effort into these kids, and they’re like your own. So it’s great to see them make it to the next level. I think it’s also a testament to Yamaha, showing the success and the way they take care of their riders all the way through.”
In their debut season, the Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha team has a powerhouse line-up, starting with reigning WMX Champion Lachlan Turner. The talented rider from Nevada looks to keep the momentum rolling from a stellar 2024 season as she aims to defend her WMX title and add more number-one plates to her collection at premier amateur events, including the Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. Owen Covell, who enjoyed a standout 2024 season aboard the YZ125, will make the move up to the 250B and 450B class championships, fielding the team’s efforts in those classes. Also moving up to the big bikes is McKayden Fitch, who will compete for top honors in the 250B Limited and 450B Limited classes. Both Covell and Fitch will be attending the SMX Next - Moto Scouting Combine events to further prepare them for the Pro ranks.
Colby Lessar returns with Altus Motorsports in 2025 to make the new effort’s title runs in the Schoolboy 1 and 125cc B/C Championships. Leading a group of fast, young, and up-and-comers is Tayce Morgan racing the YZ85 Big Wheel in the Mini Sr. 1 & 2 classes, with Jaydin Smart leading the way in the 85cc 10-12 categories. Battling for titles aboard the YZ65 is Talon Hinson in the 65cc 10-12 category and Tate Brush in the 65cc 7-9 category.
Based out of the Altus Motorsports Race Shop in Altus, Oklahoma, the team has a group of proven championship-winning technicians to support the riders, led by Ed Longacre, Lima De Carvalho, Johnny Luna, Todd Brown, and LJ Parker. With a total of 10 titles thus far at premier amateur events, the Altus Motorsports BLU CRU Yamaha team sets it sights on the 2025 Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s, as well as the 2025 WMX Championship and the SMX Next - Scouting Moto Combine, which are held in conjunction with the Pro Motorcross Championship.
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.
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Mike Ulrich – Off-Road Motorcycle Sr. Communications Specialist
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
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