JEFF EMIG DOES NOT GET A FOUR-STROKE DEAL

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With Jimmy Button still recovering from the injuries he sustained at the San Diego Supercross, Team Yamaha has been wondering what to do with his works YZ426. When it became apparent that Button would not be returning in time for the 2000 Nationals, Yamaha drew up a list of possible candidates. As Yamaha personnel describe it, the problem they faced was finding someone capable of doing the bike justice (after all, it won the 1998 250 National Champion with Doug Henry, 1999 500 World Championships with Andrea Bartolini and 1999 Washougal 250 National with Jimmy Button).
ÿThe first selection that Team Yamaha made was Jeff Emig. In fact, last week the MX community was abuzz with rumors that Emig would ride the YZ426 starting at the Glen Helen National. It seemed like a good deal for both parties. Emig would be allowed to fly the colors of his newly formed privateer team and Team Yamaha would get a rider with the talent to win.

But, questions remained. Emig had no four-stroke experience, was coming off of a bad season in ’99 (on and off the track) and was barely recovered from the wrists he broke on December 31. In the end, the MXA wrecking crew tracked Jeff down at Sunrise Cycle Park in Adelanto, California, on Satruday April 22 and asked him point blank if he was going to ride for Team Yamaha on the four-stroke. “No,” he said. “Yamaha and I cannot come to terms. I will not ride the YZ426.”

So who will? No one knows for sure.
Doug Henry is not interested in racing the complete National series so he asked not to be considered. Additionally, three-time World Four-Stroke Champion Doug Dubach, now 37 years old, did not want to race the Nationals (and is needed as Yamaha’s in-house test rider). Yamaha has one last ace in the hole. Yamaha will test the YZ426 with Team Chaparral’s Tim Ferry this week. It is possible that Ferry could get the four-stroke deal, which would work well given the successful Team Yamaha/Team Chaparral relationship. However, if Ferry doesn’t adapt to the bike, Yamaha is willing to let it sit idle for the outdoor season.
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