Bradley Ray and his McAMS Yamaha team will be racing at Brands Hatch this weekend in a retro livery, to celebrate the teams 30th anniversary in the British Superbike Championship.

Shortly before free practice got underway this morning, the team unveiled a striking one-off special edition Cadbury’s Boost-inspired R1 livery.

The vibrant purple livery, updated with McAMS Yamaha’s 2026 branding, reimagines the golden era of the championship – reviving the iconic, widely recognised colours of Niall Mackenzie’s YZF750, which powered him to three consecutive titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

The livery was unveiled for the first time at Brands Hatch today, with R1 rider Brad Ray expected to campaign the new look across all three races as the fifth round of the 2026 season gets underway on the Grand Prix circuit.

In its day, the original Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha enjoyed strong results at this very venue, with Mackenzie producing standout performances in the purple livery – highlighted by a double victory at the Kent-based circuit in 1997. The livery also carried Jamie Whitham and Steve Hislop, two of Mackenzie’s most talked-about championship rivals of the era, to notable success in the early years of the series.

To further mark BSB’s 30th anniversary across the Brands Hatch weekend, Yamaha Motor UK will lead a celebratory parade lap on Saturday, headlined by some of the most iconic machines and faces from the series’ history – including Niall Mackenzie and the original Cadbury’s Boost bike.

More than 100 members of the public, riding their own Yamaha machines, will follow behind this parade of iconic bikes from the past, making for what promises to be an awe-inspiring spectacle.

Throughout the weekend, these same classic machines will be on display for fans at the Tinklers Motorcycles stand – one of Yamaha’s proud dealerships, based in the Norwich area.

Heading into the weekend, both the McAMS Yamaha team and fans of the series alike are excited to see the celebrations unfold, in what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of two-wheeled action.

Speaking about the special livery, Ray said: “It’s such a cool feeling to finally be able to share the special edition McAMS Yamaha livery – it’s been in the pipeline for a while, and to see it all come together is something really special. There aren’t any colours that feel more iconic than the Cadbury’s Boost colours, it’s easily one of my favourite liveries throughout the last 30 years of BSB, and it’s a real honour to be riding in them throughout this weekend’s three races.

“30 years is a huge milestone for the championship, and I’m grateful to be a part of this weekend’s celebrations, and honoured to continue playing a part in the manufacturer’s story within the series. Bring on the weekend!”

Triple BSB champion Niall Mackenzie commented: “The Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha years were some of the most memorable of my career, and it’s such a special feeling to see the same colours brought back to life aboard the McAMS Yamaha R1. That livery meant so much to the fans back then, and even now, people still come up to me and mention it – so to see it return, especially in a season celebrating 30 years of BSB, brings back some brilliant memories.

“It’s a livery that always stood out on track, and I’ve no doubt it’ll turn heads again this weekend at Brands Hatch. I’m excited to play a part in the weekend’s celebrations at Brands Hatch, including riding my original Boost Yamaha YZF750 in Saturday’s Parade Lap. It’ll be an experience to remember!”

Matt Taylerson, Yamaha Motor UK, Divisional Manager, Marketing, concluded: “This weekend at Brands Hatch represents a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate 30 remarkable years of British Superbike Championship racing, and we’re incredibly proud to be marking the occasion alongside our supported team McAMS Yamaha. The Cadbury’s Boost Yamaha livery holds such a significant place in our history, and reintroducing those colours to the R1 this weekend is a fitting tribute to everything the championship has represented over the years.

“Over the last 3 decades, Yamaha have become one of the most successful manufacturers in the championship – achieving over 200 race victories and producing ten championship titles that have contributed towards our impressive reputation within the paddock. Motorsport has always played an integral role in our brand story, and moments like this allow us to reflect on that heritage while continuing to invest in the future of the series.

“We’re looking forward to a strong weekend of racing from both our BSB and Supersport teams, and to sharing these celebrations with everyone at Brands Hatch.”

Image courtesy of British Superbikes