Dunlop Issue 4 - Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

MAY | 2009
CONTENTS
4
DUNLOP ROLLS ON IN WORCS ATV SERIES AND ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONALS
5
DUNLOP LEADS GNCC RACING CHARGE
6
GIBSON WINS 2009 ARENACROSS CROWN
6
ATTENTION ALL RACERS
7
LEAD BAN UPDATE
7
DUNLOP ON TOP AT 2009 AMA SUPERMOTO SERIES OPENER
8
DUNLOP RACERS DOMINATE WORCS
10
IS THIS HEAVEN? NO, IT’S HUNTSVILLE.
14
SUPERCROSS RACEBIKES: THE REAL STARS OF SUPERCROSS
16
SHOOTING STARS
18
ROAD ATLANTA: COMING INTO FOCUS
22
JESSE ROOKE CUSTOM HONDA CRF450R
24
10 TEAM D TITLE WINS AT WORLD MINIS
26
THE GRADUATES: TEAM D ALUMNI ASHLEY FIOLEK AND JUSTIN BARCIA
28
UPCOMING EVENTS
FOR DUNLOP VIDEOS PLEASE VISIT
YOUTUBE.COM/DUNLOPTIRESCHANNEL
ON THE COVER:
Ricky Dietrich is dominating the 2009 WORCS series, leading
a charge of Dunlop riders who occupy most of the top ten
spots in the championship. There’s more on page eight.
2
Dunlop Download magazine is published for Dunlop Motorcycle Tires by Vreeke & Associates. www.vreeke.com
3
JOSH FREDERICK
DUNLOP ROLLS ON IN WORCS ATV SERIES AND
ATV MOTOCROSS NATIONALS
The 2009 WORCS ATV Series is heating up as Dunlop racer Josh Frederick leads the way with 85 points after three rounds of
competition. Fellow Dunlop pilot Jeremie Warnia is tucked in second with 66 points. In the Pro-Am ATV class, Dillon Zimmerman
leads the standings on 90 points—winning all three rounds in the series.
After four rounds of AMA ATV Motocross Nationals competition, champion Dunlop racer Joe Byrd currently holds second place
in the AMA Pro ATV class. Byrd has finished on the podium at every round this season, including a round win. Dunlop women’s
CHARLIE MULLINS
JOSH STRANG
racer Heather Byrd leads the Pro Am Women class, scoring all three wins in the series. Angela Adkins holds second place in the
Women class with two round wins.
DUNLOP LEADS GNCC RACING CHARGE
In QuadCross racing news, Warnia and Frederick continue to dominate the 2009 ITP/Yamaha QuadCross Series, finishing
one/two at the second round of the series at Arizona Cycle Park.
The 2009 Can-Am GNCC Racing Series is in full swing, and Dunlop racers dominate the series after five rounds. Team Suzuki
rider Josh Strang leads the pack on his Suzuki RM-Z450 with 117 points. Strang has finished on the podium four times,
including three round wins. Factory FMF Suzuki Off-Road’s Charlie Mullins follows closely behind, tied for second on 115 points.
CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO
4
Mullins piloted his Suzuki RM-Z450 to four podium finishes in the series, including winning the series opener in Florida.
5
LEAD BAN UPDATE
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted
gress the time it needs to fix this law, and we will continue to
to stay enforcement of a lead law that currently bans the sale of
work with both legislators and our partners in the industry to
youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The
make certain that it does.”
stay, which extends through May 1, 2011, follows a unanimous
vote by Acting Chairwoman Nancy Nord and Commissioner
Moreland added that nearly 80,000 AMA and ATVA (All-Terrain
Thomas Moore.
Vehicle Association) members contacted their lawmakers and
the CPSC to let them know how they feel. “I’m convinced this
The law in question is the Consumer Product Safety Improve-
helped shape Chairman Nord’s and Commissioner Moore’s
ment Act (CPSIA). Designed to protect children from lead in
decision to support a moratorium on enforcing the lead law,”
toys that might easily end up in children’s mouths, the lan-
he said.
guage of the legislation has ensnared a number of products
GIBSON WINS 2009 ARENACROSS CROWN
TEAM THOR HONDA TUF RACING’S THIRD TITLE WIN
It was smiles all around for Team Thor Honda Tuf Racing at the final round of the 2009 AMA Arenacross Series held in Highland
that have little exposure risk, including youth-model motorcy-
Even though a stay means that dealers would not be subject to
cles and ATVs. “While we applaud the CPSC commissioners’
fines or penalties imposed by the CPSC, state attorneys gen-
vote to stay enforcement of the law, this doesn’t solve the real
eral would still be able to prosecute violators if they chose to
issue, which is the law itself,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice
do so. “Motorcyclists and ATV riders need to let the Congress
president for government relations. “Youth-model motorcycles
know that we are concerned about the law, and that we want
and ATVs should be exempt from the law, and Congress needs
kids’ OHVs excluded from the law,” said Moreland. “We need
to act to make that happen. Hopefully, this stay will give Con-
to continue to let our decision-makers know how we feel.”
Heights, KY, March 20-22, as Jeff Gibson secured the 2009 Arenacross crown—the team’s third consecutive title—aboard his
Dunlop-equipped CRF250R. Gibson won six races in the 11-round series plus three seconds and three third-place finishes to
end up with a combined total of 12 podiums in the 17-race series—en route to winning his first premier-class title.
DUNLOP ON TOP AT 2009 AMA SUPERMOTO SERIES OPENER
At the opening round of the 2009 AMA Supermoto Champi-
ATTENTION ALL RACERS
JEFF WARD
onship held at the Auto Club Speedway during the AMA Superbike weekend in Fontana, CA, Troy Lee Designs Racing’s Jeff
Ward and Burkhart Racing’s Mark Burkhart successfully put
No matter which off-road racing venue you’ve chosen, Dunlop
Dunlop first and third on the series podium. It was no surprise to
has the right tire and specific recommendations for your racing
see Burkhart, the 2007 champion, on pole aboard his KTM, but
needs. From professional Supercross and Arenacross to
when the light turned green it was Dunlop racing legend Ward
Off-Road/Enduro and Amateur National MX, we have all the tire
who raced his Honda to the lead. Fellow Dunlop racers CHM Ex-
info you’ll need to get ready to win!
haust/Pro Honda Oils’ Micky Dymond and teammate Jason
Conlon, and Graves Motorsports’ Brandon Currie rounded out
top-10 finishes. In the Supermoto Lites series, Troy Lee Designs
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE TIRE USAGE GUIDE
6
Racing’s rookie racer Joey Pascarella finished second.
7
DUNLOP
RACERS
DOMINATE
WORCS
RICKY DIETRICH
The fourth round of the 2009 World Off Road Championship
Series was held in Hollister, CA, and Dunlop racers ran riot over
the competition, sweeping the podium and dominating eight of
the top 10 positions. Series points leader, Kawasaki racer Ricky
Dietrich, topped the charts with his third win of the season to
solidify the championship lead. JCR Honda’s Tim Weigand and
Valli Motorsports Honda rider Bobby Bonds joined fellow
Dunlop rider Deitrich on the Hollister OHV Park podium.
So far this season, Dunlop riders have set the pace in the series,
and they currently occupy seven of the top 10 points positions,
including Dietrich in first, Weigand in third, Bonds in fourth,
TIMMY WEIGAND
Damon Huffman in sixth, Bobby Garrison in eighth, Nathan
Woods in ninth and Destry Abbott in 10th. Stay tuned to the
next round in Auburn, WA, June 12-14.
BOBBY BONDS
8
9
IS THIS
HEAVEN?
NO, IT’S HUNTSVILLE.
Talk about your dream jobs. How’d you like
That’s exactly the tough duty pulled by a team of riders and
to work at an 80-acre private riding facility
technicians at Dunlop’s Huntsville Proving Grounds (HPG) in
with not one but two Supercross tracks, a
Alabama. Truth be told, the hard-riding crew here cycles
motocross track, a mile of fire roads, a
through more than 2,000 tires per year, pushing them to the
supermoto track and a paved road course?
limits of adhesion on all sorts of surfaces and through a
Oh, and did we mention the fleet of 50
battery of tests to evaluate Dunlop’s latest tire designs for the
motorcycles and ATVs just waiting to be
street and the track. It is a precise science, unlike any other in
ridden hard on all that dirt and asphalt?
the U.S.
HPG is a dedicated motorcycle-only tire-test facility, the only
one of its kind in the world. Unlike other companies that test
their tires overseas or are forced to share space with
automotive tire testing, Dunlop evaluates its motorcycle tires
for the North American market right here, using American
riders on American-spec bikes, so the ultimate results are a
natural fit with our riding styles and needs.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR HUNTSVILLE VIDEO
10
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HPG’s courses can approximate just about any road or race condition,
dry or wet. And its test fleet is deep enough for bike-to-bike
comparisons. “Say a tire works well on a CBR600RR. Does it also
work on a GSX-R600? We can test for that,” explains Danny Roberts,
the facility’s manager. Most of the test bikes are stock 2008 and 2009
models, since most riders “go out, buy a bike and ride it,” Roberts
says. There are a few dedicated racebikes there and a 1983 Gold
Wing. “We still make tires for the older bikes,” Roberts notes.
12
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SUPERCROSS RACEBIKES
THE REAL STARS OF SUPERCROSS
The AMA Supercross series is known
Walking down pit row at any given Supercross event, one
throughout the world for being the most
could be forgiven for thinking they were attending a pristine
competitive Supercross competition on the
static motorcycle show—not a dirtbike race. Rows and rows
planet. The world’s leading motorcycle
of immaculate pieces of metal machinery cascade out from
brands—Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki
under racing team transporter awnings, as spectators stop
and Yamaha—roll out their finest race
and stare, taking pictures of these marvelous works of what
machines week after week to battle for
can only be described as art. Shiny exotic colors,
championship supremacy. But although
electrifying livery and branding—they really are
they are competitors, many of the top
masterpieces to be seen. On race day, when the worlds’
teams are united when it comes to
best riders suit up and assemble on the starting line, revving
choosing tires—Dunlops.
their engines and spinning their Dunlop tires with
anticipation, it’s obvious that dedicated team technicians
have spent countless hours preparing them for the battle
that lies ahead.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR SX RACEBIKE GALLERY
14
15
SHOOTING
JOE BYRD
STARS
Assemble a cadre of the nation’s best pro ATV MX racers from the Joe
Byrd Quad Riding School, Motoworks and Baldwin Motorsports teams,
put them on a track along with a load of photographers, and what do you
have? Though not inclusive of all the teams on Dunlop tires, this photo
shoot captured some of the top riders in the series in raucous action.
Check out the photo gallery for more images.
JOE BYRD QUAD RIDING SCHOOL
Joe Byrd #7
Clay Holmes #79
MOTOWORKS TEAM
Josh Fredrick #1
Jeremy Lawson #16
Brandon Smith #70
Jeremie Warnia #62
BALDWIN MOTORSPORTS
Josh Upperman #20
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR ATV PHOTO GALLERY
16
17
MAT MLADIN
ROAD ATLANTA
COMING INTO FOCUS
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR ROAD ATLANTA PHOTO GALLERY
18
19
GEOFF MAY
MARTIN CARDENAS
CHIRS PERIS
JOSH HERRIN
BLAKE YOUNG
DANNY ESLICK
LEANDRO MERCADO
Numerous questions surrounded AMA pro road
racing prior to the launch of the 2009 opener. But
now with the season well underway following
round three at Road Atlanta, the five races run in
the Superbike and Daytona SportBike classes
show distinct trends coming into focus.
Rockstar Makita Suzuki ace Mat Mladin is literally
running away from the Superbike field, having
notched an incredible five wins in five races. In
Daytona SportBike, Danny Eslick and his
Daytona Racing/RMR Buell hold the upper hand
with three victories plus another podium over five
races. In the developmental SuperSport East
class, Joey Pascarella and his Suzuki GSX-R600
lead the field after two races.
ROGER HAYDEN
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JESSE ROOKE CUSTOM HONDA CRF450R
Jesse Rooke has built a fan base that appreciates his
custom bikes. His first two-wheeled love, however, focused on dirtbikes, and here he has the chance to reach
back to those beginnings.
“With most project bikes I normally change the frame
first, but those alterations typically add weight,” Jesse
explains. “With this 2008 Honda CRF450R my goal focused on giving the bike a unique look with added performance. For example, Specialized Ceramic & Powder
Coating coated the radiators, engine, swingarm and
other parts with a tough, black ceramic coating that has
a functional purpose; it’s not just a different color. And
Nicoll Racing performed a full-on racing-motor build
with a Hinson clutch, a JE piston, Ti valves, ceramic
bearings, port, polish and more for added horsepower
plus reliability.”
Other changes include lightweight Excel wheels and
Talon hubs, Brembo brakes, Sunline brake and shift
levers, Ride Engineering triple clamps and axle adjusters,
a Tag handlebar, a Works Connection clutch lever, an
SDG seat and Cycra plastics and graphic design.
22
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At the second major national outing on the 2009 amateurracing calendar, the World Mini Grand Prix in Las Vegas,
NV, Team Dunlop racers successfully claimed 18 podiums
over the five days of competition—including 10 national
title wins.
Team D Cobra/KTM pilot Jordan Bailey dominated the
competition winning four of the five classes he entered.
Bailey crushed the competition in the Junior Cycle Mod 68, PW Mod 7-8, PW Stk 7-8 and Super PW Mod 6-9 races,
riding away a four-time champion. Kawasaki pilot Adam
Cianciarulo continued flying the Team D flag from the top
step of the podium in winning both 85/150 Stk 12-13 and
Supermini Thru 13 titles. Fellow Dunlop racer Steven
Gretchen claimed the 85 Stk Thru 11 crown on a Suzuki,
and Matt Bisceglia piloted his Yamaha to top honors in the
85/150 Open Thru 16 class. Zach Bell continued Dunlop’s
reign up front by winning the Supermini Thru 16 class
aboard his Kawasaki, as did KTM’s Sean Cantrell in the
Junior Cycle Mod 9-11 class.
10 TEAM D TITLE WINS
AT WORLD MINIS
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR TEAM D VIDEO
24
25
THE GRADUATES
TEAM D ALUMNI ASHLEY FIOLEK AND JUSTIN BARCIA
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Dunlop has historically supported thousands of amateur racers over the years.
In 2007, this commitment took another big jump forward with the introduction of
Team Dunlop, which continues today, providing select young amateur motocross racers an elevated level of support and industry exposure.
As 2009 gets underway, these Team Dunlop efforts are already reaping extraordinary dividends at the next level. Two successful cases in point: Ashley Fiolek
and Justin Barcia, alumni from our 2007 Team D program.
ASHLEY FIOLEK
JUSTIN BARCIA
Following an immensely successful amateur career with 13 national titles and
Justin Barcia has utilized his standing as a Factory Connection amateur race
more than 100 race wins, Ashley Fiolek made her full-season pro debut in 2008
team rider to such outstanding results—nine championship titles in 2008—that
and promptly won the AMA/WMA Women’s National Motocross Championship.
he now stands poised to enter the professional ranks as a GEICO Powersports
This caught the eye of folks at American Honda, who named her the first-ever
Honda rider commencing in May with the outdoor Motocross season opener at
female racer to join the factory Honda Motocross team.
Glen Helen, CA.
“Being able to race Motocross professionally on a full factory team at Honda is
Barcia says, “I’ve been with Ziggy [team co-owner Rick “Ziggy” Zielfelder] and
a dream come true for me,” says Fiolek. “I have been excited beyond belief! I
Factory Connection since the beginning, and he has guided me up through the
can’t thank American Honda enough for providing me this opportunity.” Fiolek
pack competing at amateur national races. I’m excited to join the GEICO
will race as a fully supported member of the Honda Red Bull Racing team in the
Powersports Honda team for the outdoor series, and I want to do well. It’s
2009 WMA Championship, X-Games 15 competition and other select events.
awesome to be on a team that gives you this much opportunity.”
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UPCOMING EVENTS
WORCS Bikes
May 8-10
Honey Lake MX
Milford, CA
AMA Supermoto
May 16-17
Infineon Raceway, CA
Sonoma, CA
QuadCross Series
May 24
Glen Helen Raceway
Glen Helen, CA
AMA Road Racing
May 15-17
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, CA
AMA Motocross
May 23
Glen Helen Raceway
Glen Helen, CA
AMA Motocross
May 30
Hangtown Motocross Classic
Hangtown, CA
GNCC
May 16-17
GEICO Mountain Ridge
Somerset, PA
ATV-MX National
May 23-24
Steel City Raceway
Delmont, PA
AMA Road Racing
May 29-31
Miller M/S Park
Toole, UT
©2009 Dunlop Tires • P. O. Box 1109, Buffalo, New York 14240-1109 • 1-800-845-8378 • dunlopmotorcycle.com