Greenville, S.C. - February 25, 2008 — Yamaha pro angler Alton Jones was named 2008 Bassmaster® Classic champion on Sunday, Feb. 24 after three days of tough competition on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell. Jones captured the title and was awarded the $500,000 top prize by bringing in a catch weighing 13 pounds seven ounces for Day Three, giving him a winning cumulative weight of 49 pounds 7 ounces for the tournament. In addition to Jones' win, the event marked Yamaha Marine Group's return to a Bass® sponsorship role and aggressive marketing support of the Bass series of events.

“This is the fulfillment of a dream I’ve had since childhood,” said Jones. “I tried very hard focus on what I needed to do to make every cast count and get back to the basics. I’m humbled and honored to be a spokesman for this industry and the sport. Now that I’ve reached this goal, I’d really like to win ‘Angler of the Year’. I feel a lot of momentum coming off of the Classic and I’m ready to get fishing.”

Driving a Yamaha V MAX® Series 2-powered Skeeter boat, the Waco, Tx. native made a comeback from tenth place on Day One, taking the first place position on Day Two and then holding that position in the finals. Yamaha pro Cliff Pace finished second with a total bass weight of 44 pounds 5 ounces and Yamaha pro Bobby Lane finished fourth with a total weight of 42 pounds 7 ounces. “I really feel at home with my equipment,” said Jones. “With my Yamaha, I know exactly how it’s going to run, how to set it up, trim it up and exactly how it’s going to behave.”

Many Yamaha Marine Group team members were on hand to support sales and marketing efforts at Greenville's  Bi-Lo Center® arena and Carolina First ®expo center. Tournament- related events at the two locations were so well attended that late comers were turned away for lack of parking spaces.

Yamaha Marine Group will continue its marketing efforts in the months to come around both Jones' victory and the Bass trail.