The off-road racing world just wrapped up a banner year in 2025, and if you're a guy who's ever felt the rush of kicking up dirt on a quad or side-by-side, Yamaha's story this season is one that'll stick with you. Their BLU CRU team didn't just compete—they owned the tracks, trails, and short courses across major series like the AMA ATV Motocross, Grand National Cross Country, and Championship Off-Road. It was a total sweep of podiums and titles that showed why Yamaha machines keep proving themselves as tough, reliable beasts year after year. From ATVs tearing through motocross jumps to UTVs blasting around tight corners, these riders and drivers turned heads and collected hardware, making it a season that redefined dominance in the dirt.
Let's start with the AMA ATV Motocross Series, where the action is fast, furious, and all about raw power on four wheels. Joel Hetrick, the guy who's been defending his Pro class crown like a champ, absolutely crushed it this year. He racked up nine outright wins, securing his fourth straight championship and his sixth overall. And he did it all aboard a Yamaha YFZ450R tricked out with Phoenix Racing, DASA, CST, and Moose parts—a setup that's been kicking butt for years and still hasn't lost its edge. That quad's endurance and performance under pressure? It's the kind of thing that makes you appreciate engineering that stands the test of time, especially when you're out there pushing limits.
But Yamaha's success didn't stop at the Pro level. Their BLU CRU crew cleaned house across the board, taking top spots in Pro-Am, Pro Sport, Production A, and Production B classes. It was a full podium takeover that left competitors eating dust. One bittersweet note came at season's end when Chad Wienen hung up his helmet for good. The legend walked away with a record eight all-time ATV MX Pro championships under his belt, closing out an era of excellence that inspired a generation of riders. If you've ever followed motocross, you know guys like Wienen and Hetrick represent that gritty determination—the kind where every lap is a battle, and coming out on top feels like pure victory.
Shifting gears to the Grand National Cross Country Series, where the terrain gets rougher and the endurance factor ramps up, Yamaha kept the momentum rolling. In the XC1 Pro ATV class, Brycen Neal locked down his fourth title in a row, proving he's got that unbeatable combo of skill and stamina. Right behind him, Walker Fowler grabbed second place, and Josh Merritt rounded out the podium in third. It was another clean sweep for the BLU CRU, highlighting how these Yamaha riders thrive in the long-haul challenges of cross-country racing, navigating woods, hills, and mud that would test any machine's mettle.
The women's side was just as impressive in GNCC's WXC ATV class. Chloe Harper stepped up big time, claiming her very first championship with a performance that showed she's here to stay. Hannah Hunter followed in second, and Jessica Elioff took third, making it yet another all-Yamaha top three. These ladies brought the heat, tackling the same brutal courses as the guys and coming out on top. Over in the XC2 Pro-Am series, Alex Thieman defended his turf with a second consecutive win, adding more shine to Yamaha's off-road legacy. It's races like these that remind you why getting out in the wilderness on an ATV isn't just a hobby—it's a way to connect with that adventurous spirit, testing yourself against nature and the clock.
Yamaha didn't limit their conquests to quads; they dove deep into the UTV scene too, where side-by-sides like the YXZ1000R showed what they're made of in high-stakes competition. In the Championship Off-Road short course series, Owen VanEperen piloted his YXZ to victory in both the Pro SxS and Pro Stock SxS classes, standing tall on the top step of the podium. What makes this even cooler is the family angle—his dad, Rodney VanEperen, joined him on the Pro SxS podium, turning it into a father-son triumph. There's something special about that bond, sharing the thrill of racing and pushing those machines to their limits on tight, dusty tracks. It's the stuff that builds lasting memories, whether you're behind the wheel or cheering from the sidelines.
And let's not forget the two-wheeled side of things, because Yamaha's reach extended beyond four wheels into motocross and road racing. In Supercross, Cooper Webb and Haiden Deegan each claimed titles in their classes, delivering heart-pounding performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Lachlan Turner added to the haul with her second straight WMX Championship, showing Yamaha's bikes are just as dominant in women's motocross. Then there's Matthew Scholtz, who sealed a second consecutive championship in the MotoAmerica Supersport class on the pavement, proving that Yamaha's engineering translates seamlessly from dirt to tarmac.
Looking back at 2025, Yamaha's BLU CRU team turned what could have been just another racing season into a masterclass in perseverance and power. These wins weren't flukes—they came from riders and drivers who know their machines inside out, trusting Yamaha's reliability to get them across the finish line first. For anyone who's spent weekends wrenching on their own ride or hitting the trails, this year's results are a nod to that passion. It's a reminder that off-road racing isn't just about speed; it's about the stories, the comebacks, and the unbreakable spirit that keeps guys coming back for more. As the dust settles, Yamaha stands taller than ever, ready to tackle whatever 2026 throws their way.
