More Images from the Era of Ilford By Dean AdamsSuperbikePlanet Editor Tuesday, February 27, 2018 The late Merlyn Plumlee gives the factory Yamaha YZF boat anchor of Tom Kipp a bump start. Sam Yamashita (right) on the grid with Doug Polen moments before Polen’s chain broke on the start of the Daytona 200. The Daytona 600 Supersport podium in the early 1990s. Honda RS250 rider Jimmy Filice with tuner Bruce Maus. Plywood benches and crates. Dirt tracker Mike Hale. Before Nicky Hayden he was going to be Nicky Hayden. Pomona. Spanish fans sit in the sun at Jerez, 1997. Diane Polen … Uchida and Erion push the 900 …Elhkart Lake. Mat Mladin–at Yosh the first time. “knockin’ the back outta the AMA series’ Yamaha spent a fortune trying to make that YZF750 fly. In the end it was too heavy and the 5 valve was just something for the sales guys to say. Return to News