Yamaha motocross team posing with bikes and staff in front of a Yamaha racing tent outdoors, with flags and mountains in the background.

JOSH COPPINS RACING

JOSH COPPINS

RACING

A motocross rider wearing an orange and black suit, helmet, and goggles riding a blue dirt bike with the number 96 on a dirt track, kicking up dust as he speeds around the curve, with green trees and a blue sky in the background.

Altherm JCR Yamaha is one of New Zealand’s leading motocross race teams, founded by Josh Coppins in partnership with Yamaha Motor New Zealand after his professional racing career.

Established in 2013, the team was built with a clear goal:
to develop elite riders, win championships, and create a pathway from New Zealand to the international motocross stage.

ALTHERM JCR YAMAMA

ALTHERM JCR YAMAMA

Who We Are

  • At its core, Altherm JCR Yamaha is more than just a race team. It operates as a high-performance development programme, focused on:

    • Rider development – identifying and nurturing top NZ talent

    • Professional race support – bikes, mechanics, coaching, and strategy

    • International pathways – helping riders transition to Europe and global competition

    • Yamaha integration – working closely with factory support and technology

    The team is heavily aligned with Yamaha’s bLU cRU development pathway, helping young riders progress through the ranks.

  • Altherm JCR Yamaha has consistently been one of the most competitive teams in New Zealand motocross:

    • Multiple New Zealand Motocross Championship titles (MX1 & MX2)

    • Regular podium finishes across multiple classes

    • Strong presence in junior, MX2, and MX1 categories

    • Proven ability to develop riders who go on to international careers

    Recent seasons have shown dominance across classes, with riders winning motos and leading championships.

  • Notable Riders (Past & Present)

    The team has worked with some of the top riders in NZ and beyond, including:

    • Maximus Purvis – MX1 front-runner and championship contender

    • Levi Townley – rising star progressing to European competition

    • James Scott – MX2 competitor

    • Kirk Gibbs – Australian champion who helped secure major titles

    Many riders have used JCR Yamaha as a launchpad to international racing careers, which is a key part of the team’s identity.

  • Under Josh’s leadership, the team focuses on quality over quantity, often running a smaller, highly supported roster to maximise performance.

    Key pillars include:

    • High-level bike setup and technical development

    • Strong mechanic and support crew

    • Emphasis on professionalism and rider mindset

    • Long-term career progression for athletes

    This approach has helped the team stay competitive while adapting to rising costs and evolving racing demands.

MAJOR SPONSORS

  • Logo of AlTherma Window Systems featuring a stylized red pyramid design on a dark blue background with white text.
  • Yamaha logo in red with the Yamaha text and emblem on a white background.
  • Logo with the text 'JCR' and 'Josh Coppins Racing' underneath in blue, stylized font.

SECOND TIER SPONSORS

  • Logo of BurgerFuel with a stylized butterfly and the slogan 'Fuel for the Human Engine'.
  • Blue circular logo with white text that says 'Blue Crew' and 'Yamaha Racing' with Yamaha's tuning fork emblem.
  • Logo with the text 'WAR' and an arrow, below it 'DEMOLITION' with a construction crane illustration.
  • Black and white logo with bold letters 'KT' inside a shield with stars at the bottom and the word 'TRAILERS' below.
  • Yamalube logo with black background and white text
  • Dunlop logo with yellow background, black text, and a red 'D' inside a white and black emblem.
  • Black background with white text displaying 'CVH' logo and the words 'Commercial Vehicle Holdings'.
  • Black silhouette of a fox head with stylized facial features next to the word 'FOX' in bold black letters on a white background.
  • Logo with the word 'GTR' in bold blue and silver letters with a chrome-like effect.
  • Logo for Motorcycle Performance, featuring red and black text with a lightning bolt, and the website motorcycleperformance.co.nz
  • Logo for Holland Collision Centre Kollation with stylized orange X and black and gray text.
  • Yamaha logo with a gray and red emblem featuring three tuning forks and the words "Yamaha Financial Services" in red and black text.
  • Hughes Transport company logo with the tagline 'Exceeding Expectations'.
  • Workshop Graphics logo with pink and black text and symbol

TECHNICAL SPONSORS

  • Red background with a stylized white and gray letter Z and the word 'ZETA' below it.
  • The image shows a logo with the word 'GET' in bold, blue letters outlined in white, inside an orange rectangular background with rounded corners and a blue border.
  • Logo for DRC Hard Ware with red letters D, R, C and black and white text beneath reading 'HARD WARE'.
  • Vertex Piston & Power logo with red background, featuring stylized white and blue text and graphic elements.
  • Orange background with the Twin Air logo in the center, featuring black and white text inside an oval outline.
  • Renthal logo featuring a stylized racing helmet with bold red and white text
  • Logo with a red abstract symbol and the name 'AKRAPOVIC' in bold black letters.
  • Text in black font that reads 'Acerbis' on a white background, with the lettering flipped horizontally.
  • Logo of Matrix Concepts with a stylized blue 'M' and white text underneath that reads 'MATRIX CONCEPTS'.
  • The Motomuck logo with bold blue letters on a white background, displayed upside down.
  • Close-up of the red and white D.I.D. logo with bold letters
  • Stylized logo with the word 'motoseat' in bold, slanted white letters outlined in black and red.