World 4-division champion here to help Yolanda victims

MANILA, Philippines - Valentino Rossi, world champion in four divisions of motorcycle racing in a career that spanned over 17 years, will be in Manila this month, but this time it won’t be for a motoGP podium finish.

Rossi will help raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda through Yamaha’s Lend a Hand Project, which aims to raise funds to boost ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation.Yamaha helps in times of great need is seen through various CSH activities.

Rossi, The Doctor, started riding at a very young age. With an aspiration to follow his father, Graziano Rossi who is a former motorcycle racer, he began racing for the 125cc category during the Grand Prix of 1996. The following year, Rossi won his first World Championship. He moved up to the 250cc category and won the 250cc World Championship in 1999.

His legacy was defined with back-to-back record breaking achievements. He is the only rider in history to achieve all four world titles – 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP. Last year, Rossi reunited with his old Yamaha team, where he hopes to accomplish more victories.

Yamaha’s charity effort called “Champions Rebuild Lives” is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Company Ltd., MotoGP, Yamaha Racing Academy and Yamaha Motor Philippines Inc.

Rossi encourages everyone to help by purchasing discounted and Limited Edition Yamaha Racing items like jackets and shirts which were donated by the MotoGP team. These can be bought at the Y-Zone flagship shop in Ortigas. Those who live too far from the shop have another option – submit an order online by visiting Y-Zone’s official Facebook page. Choose from the online. Items bought will be sent thru LBC. When one purchases a minimum amount of P500, he gets a raffle coupon and a chance to win a free-framed jacket signed by Rossi himself.