Small cars powered by high-performance motorcycle engines are usually fascinating but often dangerously crude. So, we were intrigued when Yamaha says it is developing a dirt-track race car with a 999cc inline-Four from its R1 superbike. The tuning-fork company describes its R1DT as a concept, but, with its apparent development work behind it, it?s difficult to imagine it won?t reach production one day.
?The Yamaha R1DT concept car is an exciting new concept that has the potential to introduce dirt-track enthusiasts to Yamaha quality and performance while simultaneously attracting more motorsports enthusiasts and racers to the exciting world of dirt track racing,? said Dave Park, Yamaha?s R1DT project manager.
Several R1DTs will compete this weekend in an exhibition race in Perris, California, with racing to be broadcasted online. Begin Press Release

Yamaha Announces R1DT Invitational Race at Perris Auto Speedway November 11
Yamaha Dirt Track Concept Car Attracts Wide Variety of Motorsports Champs in High-Profile Exhibition Race

CYPRESS, Calif. ? November 8, 2017 ? Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is announcing the first ever R1 Dirt Track car (R1DT) exhibition race is scheduled for November 11, 2017, at the Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, California. More details on the ?Yamaha R1DT Invitational? are at Facebook.com/YamahaDirtTrack, and the race will be broadcast live nationally during the ?USAC Budweiser Oval Nationals? on https://www.speedshifttv.com/.
Yamaha?s R1DT concept dir...