Yamaha Motor Racing Receives 2014 FIM Environment Award

In recognition of the renewed ISO 14001:2004 and BS_OHSAS 18001:2007 certificates and the successful KISS Mugello initiative (Keep it Shiny and Sustainable), Yamaha Motor Racing is proud to announce that it’s been presented with the 2014 FIM Environment Award.

The important award was presented to Marco Riva, General Manager of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, at the FIM Gala Ceremony held yesterday, Sunday 23^rd November 2014 in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) along with Edgar Farrera, Director of Sustainability of the Circuit of The Americas, who were named joint winners for 2014.

Yamaha Motor Racing’s sustainable journey towards achieving this milestone began in 2008, when the organisation decided to change the way it operated. In 2009 the company set the target to manage and minimise risks in order to excel in both health and safety and environmental responsibility. Just one year later YMR was awarded the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System certificate. This accomplishment was followed by the attainment of the BS_OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Management System certificate in 2013, rewarding further efforts to improve working practices.

Both these certificates were renewed earlier this year after the successful three day audit at the Catalunya Grand Prix and at Yamaha Motor Racing Srl's facilities in Gerno di Lesmo (Italy) as the organisation continues to strive to adopt the best safety and environmental working practices.

The process by which the hospitality units of Movistar Yamaha MotoGP are constructed and broken down is a highlight of Yamaha Motor Racing’s forward thinking approach. The MotoGP community travels across 12 different nations and consists of 2.000 people, not including the 5.000 to 6.000 guests that visit the paddock during the race weekend. This means that health and safety is not an option but a necessity.

All members of the Yamaha MotoGP operation share their learnings and know-how on personnel training, the management of dangerous goods, safety procedures and recycling with motorcycle racing’s key bodies, including the FIM, Dorna, IRTA, and all partners and suppliers to help the entire paddock community to step forward.

The positive changes are not just seen in the paddock; Yamaha Motor Racing’s sustainable project makes a difference for entire race events. In 2013 and 2014 the KISS Mugello initiative had great impact on spectators at the Italian Grand Prix. Yamaha rider’s Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo were the first promoters of the project, sending messages on social media that promoted sustainable behaviour and encouraged race attendees to keep the Mugello circuit clean.

The Circuit of The Americas is also committed to the environment and put in great sustainability efforts during the 2014 MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas. COTA took the KISS initiative further by encouraging their guests to post pictures on Twitter of them keeping the Circuit of The Americas and MotoGP clean and sustainable. The winning images received MotoGP gear signed by Rossi, who also participated in a special podium ceremony highlighting sustainability.

Lin Jarvis – Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

“I am delighted that Yamaha Motor Racing has been awarded this prestigious award by the FIM and I thank them for their recognition of the efforts of all staff members of our Yamaha MotoGP operation who, under the leadership of YMR General Manager Marco Riva, have contributed throughout our “sustainable journey”. We have been very active over the last six years and we have made significant progress with the way we operate and take care of both health & safety and environmental issues in our entire working process. We will continue like this in the future, constantly looking for ways to improve and also to share our experiences with the whole motorcycle racing community.”

Marco Riva – General Manager, Yamaha Motor Racing

“We are really proud to receive the FIM Environment Award and we want to share this moment with all the people working for Yamaha in Italy, in Japan and with all Movistar Yamaha MotoGP staff working at the race tracks. I want to thank the FIM, Dorna, IRTA, Mugello Circuit and all YMR ‘Green Partners’. This award gives us great motivation to stimulate all parties involved in our beautiful sport to start a new sustainable journey, inspiring the society through our positive behavior.”