NOVEMBER 2011

NOVEMBER 2011
FOR DUNLOP VIDEOS PLEASE VISIT
YOUTUBE.COM/DUNLOPTIRESCHANNEL
CONTENTS
4
TEAM USA STRONG AT 2011 ISDE IN FINLAND
6
JOHNSON COLLECTS ANOTHER GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
8
CHARLIE MULLINS GRABS GNCC LEAD WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS
10
STURGIS 2011
11
CASELLI SCORES A THREE-PEAT, AND STRANG DROPS IN ON THE WORCS FRAY
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VILLOPOTO WINS $1 MILLION AT INAUGURAL MONSTER ENERGY CUP
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MOTO2 RACING AT THE BRICKYARD
24
CATCHING UP WITH KURT CASELLI
26
JESSE ROOKE CUSTOM HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD KING
36
DUNLOP RACKS UP ANOTHER MILESTONE:
125TH CONSECUTIVE 125cc GRAND PRIX VICTORY
42
TEAM USA WINS MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS ABOARD DUNLOP TIRES
50
MX SEASON WRAP-UP
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AMA ROAD RACE WRAP-UP: FIVE CHAMPIONS CROWNED
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UPCOMING EVENTS
ON THE COVER:
A true American classic custom renders a
timeless feeling, and just such an impression has
undoubtedly been captured by Jesse Rooke in his
rendering of this very special Harley-Davidson
Road King. Photography by Kevin Wing.
2
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TEAM
USA
STRONG AT 2011 ISDE IN FINLAND
Most of the younger riders for the United States
(Kawasaki) and Jimmy Jarrett (Honda) finished inside
called the 2011 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE)
the top 20 in E2, and all earned Gold Medals. JCR
in Southern Finland’s Kotka-Hamina district the
Honda’s Colton Udall was drafted late to ride the E1
toughest ever, and veterans like Jeff Freddette and
class on a Honda CRF250R. It was his first ISDE, first
Fred Hoess allowed that it was one of the most
enduro and first race outside of the U.S. and Baja, but
difficult. Rain arrived with day one and rarely left
he finished 25 in class with a Silver Medal. Nathan
before the final days, so tests were difficult and the
Kanney (KTM) was the only Trophy Team member in
trail sections were treacherous. With over 900 miles
the E3 class, and he also earned Gold.
th
total, and riders spending as long as nine hours in the
saddle, rain made things miserable. Traditionally, the
The Junior Trophy Team earned fourth in class with
U.S. team has been strong when the trail sections are
Cory Buttrick, Andrew DeLong, Ian Blythe and Cody
demanding as they were in Finland. As a result Team
Schafer. The Women’s Team was decimated by the
USA’s Trophy Team performed well, finishing third
tough conditions, and all three ladies were out before
behind first-place Finland and second-place Spain
the end of day two.
with five off-road veterans and one ISDE newbie.
st
Incredibly, Freddette’s Bronze gave him his 31 ISDE
4
KTM’s Kurt Caselli, who raced on Dunlop tires, ran
medal, and continued his perfect record of zero
with the best en route to winning the E2 class. Fellow
DNFs. Fred Hoess earned his 16 Gold medal from
ISDE veterans Russell Bobbitt (KTM), Destry Abbott
21 ISDEs.
th
KURTCASELLI
5
JOHNSON
COLLECTS ANOTHER GRAND
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
If you’re a powersports fan, you couldn’t ask for a better season-ending scenario: one last race, three
possible title contenders. The 2011 AMA Pro Flat Track season came down to the wire, and the half-mile
race at the LA County Fairplex track in Ponoma, CA, would decide the winner.
Going into Pomona, defending Grand National Champion Jake Johnson and his Zanotti Racing/Schaeffer’s
Harley-Davidson XR-750 carried a scant four-point lead over Rogers Lake Racing/Blue Springs HarleyDavidson’s Jared Mees, with Kings Kustoms/White’s Harley-Davidson’s Sammy Halbert—the 2009 GNC
Champion—still well within striking distance in third, eight points out.
In the end, Johnson persevered through a wild night with two restarts and extra laps to win in classy
fashion: he led every lap, most by a healthy margin. At the end of what became a 26-lap race, Johnson
held almost a two-second lead.
After the race, Johnson said, “I just had great starts all night and tried to ride smart. It was coming down to
the end, and I had a good lead but was making some mistakes. After I saw the five-laps-to-go sign, I
started to count down, four, three, two and then another red flag. I thought, Uh-oh, another five-lap shootout. I just tried to stay calm and everything worked out.”
When the dust finally settled, Johnson finished with a 16-point lead over Mees, 386-370, with Halbert just
one more back at 369.
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CHARLIE MULLINS
GRABS GNCC LEAD WITH
BACK-TO-BACK WINS
FMF/KTM’s Charlie Mullins won the last two rounds of the
Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series in decisive
fashion, grabbing the lead early and leaving the rest of the
pack behind him to battle it out. Mullins has four first-place
finishes this season.
Coming into the Unadilla race at New Berlin, NY, Mullins
trailed 2010 champion FMF/Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang by
14 points in the championship standings. After his win and
Strang’s poor finish, he came away with an eight-point lead.
Strang straggled to the finish out of the points after he and
FMF/KTM’s Cory Buttrick tangled in a first-lap crash.
Strang’s bike emerged with a bent sprocket, and Buttrick,
who left the track in an ambulance, suffered a severe
concussion that kept him out of the next round at Mountain
Ridge in Somerset, PA. Mullin’s FMF/KTM teammate
Kailub Russell, an XC1 rookie and two-time XC2 champ,
came in second and Am Pro Racing/FMF Yamaha’s Paul
Whibley third.
At Mountain Ridge, Mullins once again ran out in front
throughout most of the race. Early on he battled with Russell,
Strang, Whibley and Racing/Clockwork/Planet Fitness KTM’s
Nate Kanney. However, halfway through Mullins pulled away
from the others and ended the race almost a minute and a
half ahead of second-place finisher Paul Whibley, who edged
out third-place finisher Strang and fourth-place Kanney in the
final lap.
With four races to go, the championship is now wide open,
with Mullins 17 points ahead of Strang. Dunlop-sponsored
riders hold five of the top-10 positions. The next stop is in St.
Clairsville, OH, for the Powerline Park GNCC.
GNCC SERIES STANDINGS XC1
1. Charlie Mullins 220 (Dunlop)
2. Josh Strang 203 (Dunlop)
3. Paul Whibley 195
4. Kailub Russell 150 (Dunlop)
5. Nate Kanney 147
6. Cory Buttrick 110 (Dunlop)
7. Chris Bach 96
8. Mike Lafferty 91 (Dunlop)
9. Jimmy Jarrett 83
10. Thaddeus Duvall 75
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STURGIS
2011
Year after year, thousands of motorcyclists stream through the
summertime sun toward Sturgis, SD, for one simple reason: There’s
KURTCASELLI
nothing else like it. World-class riding, national monuments, crazygood concerts, bike shows, friends old and new and more
variations on the art of the motorcycle than you could ever dream
up—it’s all there at the Sturgis Rally.
Sturgis 2011 ran true to form, and with a tire display that included
CASELLI SCORES A THREE-PEAT,
AND STRANG DROPS IN ON THE WORCS FRAY
custom bikes from Jesse Rooke, Dunlop was on hand dispensing
product knowledge and tire care and safety tips. At least a couple
hundred thousand people were on hand for this year’s festivities,
FMF/KTM’s Kurt Caselli, the current World Off-Road Championship Series
and one thing’s for sure: a good time was had by all.
(WORCS) points leader, scored his third overall victory in a row by winning
both races at Washougal MX Park in Washington.
Caselli dominated the first race, grabbing the holeshot and leading until the
finish. In the second, he battled with FMF/KTM teammate Mike Brown and
FMF/Suzuki Off-Road’s Josh Strang, who currently holds second place in the
GNCC series and dropped in to challenge the WORCS riders. Brown dropped
back due to brake problems, and Strang continued to chase Caselli, but
couldn’t pass him. Strang ended the weekend 2-2 for second overall,
impressive for his debut WORCS outing. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s
Taylor Robert took third overall with a 4-3 finish, and Brown came back
for fourth overall.
At the next round at Glen Helen in California, it was Monster Energy
WORCS POINTS STANDINGS
Kawasaki’s Taylor Robert, currently second in the points standings, who
1.
Kurt Caselli 354 (Dunlop)
dominated, leading every lap of both races for a 1-1 finish and claiming it was
2.
Taylor Robert 326 (Dunlop)
the best race of his life. Brown, who finished second to Robert both times,
3.
Mike Brown 296 (Dunlop)
took second overall. Caselli scored 3-3 for third overall. “Consistency is what
4.
Bobby Garrison 290
wins the championship,” said Caselli, keeping his perspective on the title.
5.
Justin Soule 260 (Dunlop)
6.
Robby Bell 221 (Dunlop)
Dunlop-sponsored riders hold eight of the top-10 spots in the points
7.
Destry Abbott 166 (Dunlop)
standings, and Caselli maintains a comfortable 28-point lead over Robert with
8.
Gary Sutherlin 165 (Dunlop)
two rounds remaining.
9.
Bobby Bonds 161 (Dunlop)
10. Ryan Abbatoye 132
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VILLOPOTO
WINS $1 MILLION AT INAUGURAL MONSTER ENERGY CUP
After winning both major championships in 2011—Supercross and Motocross—plus adding a decisive final moto win as a
member of the USA’s victorious Motocross of Nations squad, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto probably figured he’d
already had a season that just couldn’t be topped. But now he has a million more reasons to smile.
At the inaugural running of the Monster Energy Cup at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Villopoto achieved what most everyone
in the industry believed was impossible: He won all three motos, a feat that was required to collect on a million-dollar payday—
the richest cash prize ever awarded for a single dirt bike racing event. Even more telling was the fact that Villopoto led every lap
of all three main events on a stadium track that featured elements typical of both Supercross and Motocross. Since each moto
consisted of only 10 laps, most savvy observers of the sport figured that the competition would be wide open, with any one of
about six or 10 riders likely to nab a single win.
But Villopoto proved them all wrong. And he went home victorious, feeling like a million bucks.
RYANVILLOPOTO
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ADAMCIANCIARULO
DUNLOP RIDERS DOMINATE MONSTER ENERGY CUP
EVERY RIDER IN THE
THREE MEC MAIN RACES
CHOSE TO RACE ON
DUNLOP TIRES.
JUSTINHILL
Ryan Villopoto’s million-dollar night obviously stood out as the highlight of the inaugural Monster Energy Cup, but other
riders on Dunlop tires also enjoyed plenty of success. More specifically, every rider in the three MEC main races chose to
race on Dunlop tires, while the winners of every support event on the schedule also picked Dunlops.
In the Amateur All-Stars Class, Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider Justin Hill ended the night with 4-1 moto
results to eke out a very close win. And young Adam Cianciarulo, a long-time Team Dunlop veteran and another Monster
Energy Kawasaki Team Green rider, ran away to a decisive victory in the Super Mini Class.
In addition to the racing, FMX competition brought even more excitement to the MEC event. Newcomer Mark Monea
pulled off a front flip 360 trick called “Carry On” to win $40,000 for his efforts—the first payday the young Aussie has ever
scored in freestyle competition.
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NEWCOMER MARK MONEA PULLED OFF A
FRONT FLIP 360 TRICK CALLED “CARRY ON” TO
WIN $40,000 FOR HIS EFFORTS.
MARKMONEA
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE MEC IMAGES
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MOTO2
RACING AT THE BRICKYARD
American road racing fans enjoyed the once-a-year treat of watching Moto2 action
firsthand at the 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP this summer, and once again the racing
held plenty of action and excitement. The class—which uses spec Honda 600cc engines
and Dunlop tires—has seen some of the tightest racing this year since its inception in
2010. Series leader Stefan Bradl of Viessmann Kiefer Racing watched his points lead
erode as Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol rider Marc Marquez took control of the race to
earn the win and whittle down the margin between the two riders to just 28 points. Bradl
nd
started from the 22 spot on the grid but made his way forward to try and minimize the
damage to his points lead, eventually finishing a laudable sixth on the day.
Although these two riders have been the class of the class and have essentially narrowed
the championship down to a two-man battle, as an indication of just how tight Moto2
racing can be, the next five riders holding down third to seventh place in the series left
Indy with a margin of only eight points between them.
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MARCMARQUEZ
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CATCHING UP WITH KURT CASELLI
Kurt Caselli is one of off-road racing’s most respected and well-liked
remaining in both series, he is well on track to add two more titles to his
competitors. Having won the World Off-Road Championship Series
long list of career achievements, as he maintains a strong lead in both
(WORCS) in both 2007 and 2010 and played a pivotal role in rebuilding
series’ points. In between rounds, Caselli has traveled abroad to
America’s team effort in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE)
represent America on the world stage, captaining Team USA to a
competition, plus having ventured abroad to compete in the Enduro
third-place finish at the 86th running of the ISDE held in Kotka, Finland—
World Championship (EWC) this year, it’s only fitting he sport the
Caselli took the overall E3 class victory—and he performed exceptionally
nickname “Captain America.”
well at three rounds of the EWC series, twice finishing on the podium.
In 2011, Caselli’s schedule has been jam-packed with racing, both
Dunlop Download magazine caught up with Kurt to get his thoughts on
nationally and internationally. In addition to defending his titles in the
his career accomplishments, plus the 2011 season and his ongoing
WORCS competition, the KTM factory racer is also contesting the
relationship with Dunlop. Check out the video by clicking below.
National Hare & Hound Championship this season. With two rounds
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CASELLI INTERVIEW
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JESSE ROOKE
CUSTOM HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD KING
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“I STARTED WITH A STOCK HARLEYDAVIDSON ROAD KING, A BIKE THAT
CLEARLY OFFERS ALL-AMERICAN ROOTS.”
When it comes to artistic expression, inspiration and perspiration run hand in hand.
Sure, hard work will take you places, but you must first capture a vision that will guide
you along the path you want to travel. In the case of this artistically customized
Harley-Davidson Road King, noted bike builder Jesse Rooke explains that inspiration
was really never an issue.
“When Dunlop asked me to create a custom motorcycle to go with its American Elite
TM
tires, bang!—the inspiration was right there,” Rooke explained. “This bike needed to
shout ‘American’ and ‘Elite’ at the same time, so I set out to emphasize both ideas. I
started with a stock Harley-Davidson Road King, a bike that clearly offers all-American
roots yet can be shaped into many different forms. I wanted to create something
powerful yet understated to give it an elite appearance, so I used a flat finish and paint
wherever possible. I also wanted to inspire other people to move forward with their
own bike creations, so I tapped into Drag Specialties for as many options as possible
because they offer all kinds of customizing parts that are readily available.”
Moving from back to front, some highlights include Legend Air Suspension Lo-Pro airadjustable shocks in black finish, cleaned-up fender structure area with a
powder-coated black finish and Vance & Hines Competition Series 2-into-1 Exhaust
pipe, featuring black-ceramic powder-coated stainless steel. The passenger pegs are
tucked in neatly, and the rider has billet floorboards sporting a black finish.
The engine definitely fits into the “elite” category—it makes monster-class power. “I
completely disassembled the engine and put in a 116-inch twin-cam stroker kit along
with new valves, heads and cylinders, and I bored the cases—all that and more, the
whole works,” said Rooke.
Up front, the 1.25-inch-diameter handlebar features a 12-inch rise; the bars and many
other items are finished in black or powder-coated. The stock fork legs have been
powder-coated and internal race-type adjustable cartridge dampers by Works
Performance feature dual-rate fork springs. Brembo brakes with black-finish fourpiston calipers and 12.6-inch floating rotors add a classy touch as well as delivering
plenty of stopping power.
“The stock Harley wheels look very cool, so we decided to stick with them,” Rooke
said. “Add on a set of Dunlop American Elite tires and it’s a done deal—a bike that
truly is as elite as it is American.”
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“WHEN DUNLOP ASKED ME TO CREATE A
CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE TO GO WITH
ITS AMERICAN ELITE TM TIRES, BANG!—
THE INSPIRATION WAS RIGHT THERE.”
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UP FRONT, THE 1.25-INCH-DIAMETER
HANDLEBAR FEATURES A 12-INCH RISE;
THE BARS AND MANY OTHER ITEMS
ARE FINISHED IN BLACK OR
POWDER-COATED.
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CLICK HERE TO SEE A VIDEO OF THE ROOKE BIKE
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DUNLOP RACKS UP
ANOTHER MILESTONE:
125 CONSECUTIVE 125cc GRAND PRIX VICTORY
TH
It’s no small feat to capture 125 consecutive wins in the 125cc Road
Racing World Championship Grand Prix (WGP) class, which consistently
sees close races and photo finishes. And Dunlop reached this milestone
with a cliff-hanger—winning the closest race in 125cc history. Electronic,
photographic and video equipment showed a dead heat between Hector
Faubel’s Aprilia and Johann Zarco’s Derbi in the German Grand Prix at the
Sachsenring. So according to the rules, the race was decided by the
fastest lap time—and the win went to Faubel.
The 28-year-old Spaniard, who also scored Dunlop’s 50th consecutive win,
had this to say after his thrilling race: “I am very happy for this win for
Aprilia and Dunlop. All my wins have come with Aprilia and Dunlop so I
feel that Dunlop are part of my family so to have scored the 50th win in a
row and now the 125th Dunlop win is really special for me.”
Dunlop’s run of 125 consecutive 125cc wins started on November 2, 2003,
when Australian Casey Stoner won the Grand Prix of Valencia, and the list of
Dunlop-sponsored winners since then reads like a United Nations of racing,
with winners coming from 11 different countries, including Marc Marquez
from Spain, Andrea Iannone from Italy and Stefan Bradl from Germany. Win
number 25 was scored by Spaniard Julian Simon at Donington Park in 2005
and number 100 by another Spaniard, Nicolas Terol, at Losail Circuit in
2010. In fact, Spain is the nation scoring the most wins, 61, on Dunlop tires.
Over the years, Dunlop has encountered fierce competition from other tire
manufacturers, but in recent seasons more and more racers have chosen
to use Dunlops. Despite regulations that allow open tire competition, every
competitor this season chose to run Dunlop tires. “We continue to evolve
and improve, which can be seen in lap records continuing to be set, even
with relatively static bike and engine power development,” said Alan
Nicholls, Dunlop Motorsport Senior Service Engineer, 125 World
Championship. “High cornering speeds and a small contact patch mean
125 is a fantastic test ground for new compounds and constructions.”
The last round of the 125cc World Championship Grand Prix will be run at
Valencia, Spain, on November 6. This race will mark the end of the 125cc
class, which has been running since 1949. Beginning in 2012, the fourstroke 250cc Moto3 class takes over for the current two-stroke 125cc
class. Dunlop has been chosen the official tire for Moto3 through 2014,
and its contract as the official tire for Moto2 has been extended through
2014 as well.
Dunlop’s passion for motorcycle racing and its commitment to expand
and advance motorcycle tire technology on the track has propelled it to
the 125-consecutive-win landmark. And Dunlop’s dedication to racing will
continue to serve as the proving ground for tire technologies that will
benefit all consumers.
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AND THE WINNER IS...
THESE FOUR RIDERS HAVE SCORED THE MOST 125cc WGP WINS SINCE 2004.
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MARC MARQUEZ
GABOR TALMACSI
ALVARO BAUTISTA
JULIAN SIMON
2010 125cc WGP CHAMPION
2007 125cc WGP CHAMPION
2006 125cc WGP CHAMPION
2009 125cc WGP CHAMPION
Nationality: Spanish
Nationality: Hungarian
Nationality: Spanish
Nationality: Spanish
Ride: Derbi
Ride: Aprilia
Ride: Aprilia
Ride: Aprilia
Race Wins: 10
Race Wins: 9
Race Wins: 8
Race Wins: 8
Podiums: 14
Podiums: 25
Podiums: 18
Podiums: 14
Pole Positions: 14
Pole Positions: 10
Pole Positions: 8
Pole Positions: 7
39
125cc
WGP TIMELINE
1949
Nello Pagani wins the first-ever FIM 125cc
World Championship, riding a Mondial. Italian
riders fill the top 10 places in the three-round
series.
1952
British rider Cecil Sandford (MV Agusta) breaks
the Mondial domination by winning the
Championship.
1953-1954 German Werner Haus and Austrian Rupert
Hollaus grab the titles for NSu.
1955
Carlo Ubbiali, the 1951 winner, becomes the
first double 125cc world champion.
1960
Ubbiali wins his sixth and final 125cc title. The
Italian’s last five titles were with MV Agusta.
1961
1963
1967
Australian Tom Phillis wins Honda’s first 125cc
Championship in 1961, the first 125cc title for a
Japanese manufacturer.
New Zealander Hugh Anderson hands Suzuki
its first 125cc Championship.
Bill Ivy wins Yamaha’s first 125cc
Championship. Fellow Brit Phil Read makes it
back-to-back success for Yamaha in 1968.
1969
Kawasaki scores its first 125cc title win with
Britain’s Dave Simmonds.
1971
Spaniard Angel Nieto, who would become the
second most decorated rider in Grand Prix
history, wins his first 125cc title, for Derbi.
1973-1974 Kent Andersson of Sweden wins back-to-back
titles for Yamaha. A Japanese motorcycle
wouldn’t win the championship again until 1990.
40
1982-1984 Angel Nieto and Garelli are unbeaten. In 1984
Nieto won his seventh 125cc title, a record that
wouldn’t be beaten.
1985-1987 Italians Fausto Gresini and Luca Cadalora keep
the title in Garelli’s hands for three more
seasons.
1988
Spaniard Jorge Martinez’s win marks Derbi’s
first 125cc title since 1972.
1989
Future 500cc World Champion Alex Criville lifts
the crown for JJ Cobas.
1990
Loris Capirossi’s championship victory is the
first for Honda since 1966. The Italian and
Honda successfully defend their crown the
following year.
1992
Alessandro Gramigni wins Aprilia’s first title.
1994
Kazuto Sakata (Aprilia) becomes the first
Japanese rider to win the 125cc Championship.
1995-1996 Haruchika Aoki becomes the first Japanese to
win on a Japanese bike, with back-to-back title
success for Honda.
1997
Future superstar Valentino Rossi (Aprilia) wins
his first World Championship.
2001
Sammarinese Manuel Poggiali claims Gilera’s
only 125cc Championship.
2002
Arnaud Vincent becomes the first Frenchman to
win the 125cc title.
2003
Future MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa (Honda) wins
his first World Championship.
2003
Casey Stoner starts a run of 125 consecutive
wins for Dunlop with victory at Valencia.
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TEAM USA WINS
MOTOCROSS OF NATIONS ABOARD DUNLOP TIRES
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Despite wet weather and constantly changing track conditions,
Baggett fastest in the MX2 qualifier and Villopoto on top in the
Team USA earned a decisive win at the Motocross of Nations
MX3 class. After scoring solid results in their motos on Sunday,
held in Saint Jean D’Angely, France, on September 16-17.
it was the masterful display of skill and speed by Villopoto and
Dungey in the final MX1/MX3 moto—finishing 1-2—that
Team members Ryan Villopoto (Monster Energy/Kawasaki),
secured the seventh consecutive Chamberlain Trophy victory
who earned the 2011 AMA Supercross and 450 Motocross
for Team USA and raised the total win count for U.S. teams to
titles, Ryan Dungey (Rockstar/Makita Suzuki), the 2010 AMA
22 since the inception of this event.
Supercross and 450 Motocross champion, and Blake Baggett
(Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki)—former member of
In addition to the three Dunlop-sponsored Team USA riders,
Team Dunlop, Dunlop’s amateur support program—rode all
runner-up place getter Marvin Musquin of Team France and
three races aboard Dunlop tires.
third place finishers Chad Reed and Brett Metcalfe of Team
Australia also rode aboard Dunlop tires. Their outstanding
The Americans swept Saturday’s qualifying races, with Dungey
performances at the 2011 Motocross of Nations earned Dunlop
recording the fastest lap time in the MX1 qualifying race,
six of the nine podium finishes.
RYANVILLOPOTO
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RYANDUNGEY
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BLAKEBAGGETT
48
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MX SEASON WRAP-UP
AFTER A SUMMER FULL OF SOME OF THE BEST
MOTOCROSS RACING IN HISTORY, THE 2011 AMA
MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP AND WOMEN’S
MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP (WMX) CAME TO A
CLOSE AT PALA RACEWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10.
50
Thousands of fans were on hand to witness Monster Energy
After trailing TwoTwo Motorsports’ Chad Reed in the points for
Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto secure his first 450-class title.
the first half of the season, Villopoto took over the
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson capped
championship lead at the Washougal National with
off his championship season by sweeping the day’s motos for
Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Ryan Dungey in second. Dungey
his third win of the season, while American Honda Racing’s
nabbed his fourth moto win and third overall victory of the
Ashley Fiolek captured her third WMX title.
season at Washougal to narrow in on Villopoto’s lead.
However, Villopoto’s moto sweep at both the Unadilla National
Throughout the 2011 season, Dunlop-sponsored racers
and Steel City National, along with his runner-up result to
dominated the competition, taking every overall victory. In
Rockstar/Makita Suzuki’s Brett Metcalfe at Southwick—a
the 250 and Women’s classes, Dunlop-equipped racers
career first win for Metcalfe—garnered him a solid 14-point
finished 1-2-3 on every overall podium, and in the 450 class,
lead in the championship heading into the final round at Pala.
they nearly swept every overall podium—filling 35 out of a
Dungey did his utmost to defend his 2010 title by going 2-1 for
possible 36 spots.
the overall Pala round win, but it wasn’t enough to stop
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2011 AMA 450 CHAMPION
52
RYAN VILLOPOTO
53
THROUGHOUT THE 2011 SEASON, DUNLOP-SPONSORED
RACERS DOMINATED THE COMPETITION.
Villopoto from clinching the 450 Motocross Championship. Villopoto’s
solid 1-3 moto finishes garnered him his first-ever 450 Motocross title.
Reed started his season off strong, taking four overall victories and
winning six motos by the midway point in the season. However, a huge
crash at the round-seven Millville National impacted his performance at
the remaining rounds in the series, and he ultimately finished the
championship third in points.
The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team dominated the top
spots early in the season, signifying they were the team to beat in the
250 Championship. Heading into the second half of the series, Monster
Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Dean Wilson led the championship
points with teammates Tyla Rattray and Blake Baggett in second and
third, respectively. Wilson’s consistency throughout the season,
including finishing on all but one overall podium, garnered him a
commanding 38-point lead heading into the penultimate round at Steel
City. Knowing he had a mathematical chance of clinching his first-ever
250 Motocross title at that race, Wilson came out firing. He dominated
the opening moto and backed it up with the moto two win, earning him
the overall and the 250 Championship in the process.
Having wrapped up the title the week prior, Wilson could have taken it
easy at Pala. However, the newly crowned champion put in one of his
best performances of the season, sweeping both motos for the
overall—reaffirming his place as the 2011 250 champion. Wilson’s win
also signified a historical feat, as Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki
became the first team in AMA Pro Racing history to collectively win all
12 rounds of the season in their division. Rattray finished runner-up in
the points, notching up four overall wins and four moto wins, plus he
finished on 10 of 12 overall podiums during the season. Baggett was a
strong contender for the title, garnering five overalls and eight moto
wins, including finishing on eight overall podiums, for third in the
championship.
CHADREED
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2011 AMA 250 CHAMPION
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DEAN WILSON
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RYANDUNGEY
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2011 AMA WMX CHAMPION
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ASHLEY FIOLEK
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The Women’s Motocross Championship was a showdown
between the two most recent champions in the class:
Honda’s Fiolek and DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha’s
Jessica Patterson. The duo showcased some of the best
racing ever seen in the history of Women’s racing during
the eight-round series. Patterson garnered the majority of
wins throughout the season with five overall victories and
11 moto wins. However, a 13th place moto result at
Freestone and 27th moto result at Southwick wearing
away the reigning champ’s points. On the flip side, Fiolek
demonstrated that consistency was the key to winning the
title. Fiolek won only three overalls and five motos, but
finished on every moto and overall podium throughout the
season, which secured her third Women’s crown in four
years. Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda’s Tarah Gieger
was also a regular on the podium, finishing on seven
overall podiums for third in the championship.
Dunlop-sponsored racers dominated the 2011 Motocross
competition, sweeping the top-10 spots in the 250
Championship and filling nine of the top-10 spots in the
WMX Championship and eight of the top-10 spots in the
450 Championship.
JESSICAPATTERSON
THE WOMEN’S MOTOCROSS
CHAMPIONSHIP WAS A SHOWDOWN
BETWEEN THE TWO MOST RECENT
CHAMPIONS IN THE CLASS.
TARAHGIEGER
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450 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
1. RYAN VILLOPOTO (DUNLOP) 526
2. Ryan Dungey (Dunlop) 514
3. Chad Reed (Dunlop) 429
4. Brett Metcalfe (Dunlop) 374
5. Mike Alessi (Dunlop) 304
6. Jake Weimer (Dunlop) 271
7. Justin Brayton 218
8. Andrew Short (Dunlop) 196
9. Kevin Windham (Dunlop) 193
10. Davi Millsaps 173
250 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
1. DEAN WILSON (DUNLOP) 538
2. Tyla Rattray (Dunlop) 472
3. Blake Baggett (Dunlop) 469
4. Eli Tomac (Dunlop) 314
5. Kyle Cunningham (Dunlop) 311
6. Gareth Swanepoel (Dunlop) 300
7. Broc Tickle (Dunlop) 253
8. Alex Martin (Dunlop) 213
9. Martin Davalos (Dunlop) 213
10. Darryn Durham (Dunlop) 195
WMX CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
1. ASHLEY FIOLEK (DUNLOP) 363
2. Jessica Patterson (Dunlop) 349
3. Tarah Gieger (Dunlop) 310
4. Jacqueline Strong (Dunlop) 209
5. Vicki Golden (Dunlop) 207
6. Marissa Markelon (Dunlop) 187
7. Kasie Creson 180
8. Alexah Pearson (Dunlop) 176
BLAKEBAGGETT
9. Sayaka Kaneshiro (Dunlop) 171
10. Lindsey Palmer (Dunlop) 155
DUNLOP-SPONSORED RACERS DOMINATED THE 2011
MOTOCROSS COMPETITION, SWEEPING THE TOP-10
SPOTS IN THE 250 CHAMPIONSHIP AND FILLING NINE OF
THE TOP-10 SPOTS IN THE WMX CHAMPIONSHIP AND EIGHT
OF THE TOP-10 SPOTS IN THE 450 CHAMPIONSHIP.
TYLARATTRAY
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CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE MX IMAGES
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AMA ROAD RACE WRAP-UP:
FIVE CHAMPIONS CROWNED
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JOSHHAYES
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DUNLOP, THE OFFICIAL TIRE OF AMA PRO ROAD
RACING, WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE IN EACH OF
THESE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
The 2011 AMA Pro Racing series showcased incredible racing
GEICO Powersports RMR Suzuki’s Eslick strung together a
all season long, and in the end, four national champions were
host of great finishes throughout the year en route to the 2011
crowned. Josh Hayes clinched his second-consecutive
title—adding this year’s crown to the class title he earned in
American Superbike Championship; Danny Eslick was
2009. Finishing on eight podiums during the season,
crowned the Daytona SportBike Champion, while James
including wins at Barber, Mid Ohio and Laguna Seca, Eslick
Rispoli and David Gaviria won the SuperSport East and West
garnered enough points to secure the championship after
Championships, respectively, and Chris Fillmore took the
finishing sixth in the opening race at the final New Jersey
Vance & Hines XR1200 Championship. Dunlop, the official tire
round. Monster Energy Graves Yamaha’s Josh Herrin ended
of AMA Pro road racing, was along for the ride in each of
his season on a high note by winning the final race of
these championships.
the year and finished the series runner-up in points, while
Tommy Aquino (JHR/RidersDiscount.com) rounded
Monster Energy Graves Yamaha’s Hayes successfully
out third.
defended his 2010 Superbike crown, holding off Rockstar
Makita Suzuki challenger Blake Young for the championship.
SuperSport young gun Rispoli (ANT-Racing.com/STAR School)
Finishing on all but two podiums throughout the season,
was the man to beat in the SuperSport Championship and
Hayes had a five-point lead over Young heading into the final
East Division after finishing on all but one podium heading into
round at New Jersey Motorsports Park held September 2-4.
the final round. Winning race two at Infineon earlier in the year,
Drawing from his previous years’ experience in the class,
and finishing runner-up in every race subsequent to Infineon,
Hayes extended his points lead after winning the opening race
Rispoli capped off his stellar season with a win at New Jersey
of the weekend. In the second, a terrific battle ensued
to secure both titles. LTD Racing Yamaha’s David Gaviria had
between Young, Ben Bostrom (Jordan Suzuki), Steve Rapp
wrapped up the West Division title earlier in the season.
(Cycle World Attack Performance Kawasaki), Tommy Hayden
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(Rockstar Makita Suzuki) and Hayes from the get-go. After 23
Chris Fillmore (Bruce Rossmeyer Daytona Racing GEICO
laps, Young got to the checkers first—winning his seventh
Revolution Performance) finished the Vance & Hines XR1200
race of the season, while Hayes crossed the finish line in
series in style by winning his fifth race of the season en route
second only 0.05 second behind Young with Hayden crossing
to the championship. Parts Unlimited’s Steve Rapp was
in third. Hayes’ runner-up result earned him his second-
Rispoli’s closest rival throughout the season, and he took
consecutive Superbike crown, while Young finished second in
second overall in the championship, while Tyler O’Hara
the championship and Hayden rounded out third.
rounded out third.
JAMESRISPOLI
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DANNYESLICK
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CHRISFILLMORE
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CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE RR IMAGES
DAVIDGAVIRIA
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UPCOMING EVENTS
GNCC Series
November 4-6
Loretta Lynn’s
Hurricane Mills, TN
WORCS Bikes #10
November 4-6
Speedworld MX
Surprise, AZ
MotoGP–Moto2
November 6
Valencia, Spain
©2011 Dunlop • P. O. Box 1109, Buffalo, New York 14240-1109 • 1-800-845-8378 • dunlopmotorcycle.com
WORCS ATV #9
November 11-13
Speedworld MX
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