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Page 1: NOVEMBER 2014 - Dunlop Motorcycle · 2017-11-14 · TAKE 2014 AMA PRO FLAT TRACK TITLES BRYAN SMITH After a season-long battle with rivals Bryan Smith and Jake Johnson, Jared Mees

NOVEMBER 2014

Page 2: NOVEMBER 2014 - Dunlop Motorcycle · 2017-11-14 · TAKE 2014 AMA PRO FLAT TRACK TITLES BRYAN SMITH After a season-long battle with rivals Bryan Smith and Jake Johnson, Jared Mees

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CONTENTS4 DUNLOP’S PAT SMAGE WRAPS UP SEVENTH US MOTOTRIALS TITLE

6 DELONG DOMINATES NATIONAL ENDURO SERIES

8 KAILUB RUSSELL IN ROUTE TO 2014 GNCC XC1 CHAMPIONSHIP

10 BIKES OF THE STARS

12 DUNLOP’S “ACCELERATE YOUR SOUL” AWARD

14 JARED MEES AND KYLE JOHNSON TAKE 2014 AMA PRO FLAT TRACK TITLES

24 DUNLOP ATHLETES CLAIM 12 MEDALS AT X GAMES

32 2014 MOTOCROSS SEASON IN REVIEW

48 SPORTMAX GP-A PRO

56 THE LAST AMA PRO ROAD RACING SEASON COMES TO AN END

74 DUNLOP RIDERS CONQUER THE ISLE OF MAN

78 ROLAND SANDS CREATES BMW CONCEPT NINETY

86 UPCOMING EVENTS

32 Dunlop Download magazine is published for Dunlop Motorcycle Tires by Vreeke & Associates. www.vreeke.com

ON THE COVER: Kailub Russell dominates the GNCCchampionship.Photo by Simon Cudby.

Dunlop has gone social, so join the conversation on our Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest pages, and check our

latest videos on the Dunlop YouTube channel.

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The 2014 AMA MotoTrials US National Championship Series came to a close at the Trials Training

Center in Sequatchie, TN, and Sherco USA’s Pat Smage claimed his seventh title in an eight-year

stretch. The Wisconsin native dominated the competition on his Dunlops, winning six out of eight

rounds and wrapping up the season with a 30-point advantage over second. In his third season

as a pro, Logan Bolopue scored three podium finishes and enough points to land him third overall

in the standings, followed by the class rookie Daniel Blanc-Gonnett who logged six top 5 finishes.

Former 2010 Champion, Cody Webb returned to the series for the final round and quickly put his

Dunlop-equipped Beta at the top of the podium, winning both days of the two-day event.

2014 PRO US MOTOTRIALSSTANDINGS 1. Pat Smage 226 (Dunlop)

2. Martin Matejicek 196

3. Logan Bolopue 149 (Dunlop)

4. Daniel Blanc-Gonnet 149 (Dunlop)

5. Bryan Roper 78 (Dunlop)

6. Cody Webb 60 (Dunlop)

7. Keith Wineland 37

8. Dustin Hedwall 30

9. Shad Petersen 28

PAT SMAGE WRAPS UP SEVENTH US MOTOTRIALS TITLE

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There’s no such thing as a sure bet in racing. That adage played out to

the misfortune of Dunlop-sponsored FMF/KTM rider Charlie Mullins in the

AMA National Enduro Series. The reigning series champion, Mullins

looked to be unstoppable in winning the first four races in the 2014

season.

But a wrist injury sidelined him for the Jester National Enduro in

Arrington, Virginia, and that opened the door for all the other riders. In the

end, Brad Bakken capitalized to earn his first-ever national win in the 65-

mile race. Nick Fahringer and his Dunlop-shod AirGroup Husqvarna

challenged for the win, finishing only 15 seconds back. Filling out the

podium was another Dunlop rider, KTM factory support rider Grant

Baylor, who finished 24 seconds behind Fahringer.

After an up and down season, however, it was Andrew DeLong on his

Dunlop-equipped Husqvarna who entered the final round with a 22-point

lead. A third place finish at the Muddobbers National Enduro at

Tennessee locked up the title for DeLong.

DELONG DOMINATESNATIONAL ENDURO SERIES

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PHOTO: HILL K.

It didn’t start out well for Kailub Russell. A 14th at the opening GNCC round was not

what he had hoped for, but he wasted little time brooding over it. He won the next three

rounds, then posted two podium finishes before going on a tear, winning five races in a

row to take the championship with a whopping 102 point lead over second place.

Throughout the first half of the season it has been a heated head-to-head battle for the

XC1 Championship between Factory FMF/KTM teammates Russell and Charlie Mullins.

However, Mullins was removed from the title chase due to an injury, allowing Dunlop-

supported Russell to take the title in dominant fashion.

KAILUB RUSSELL DOMINATES2014 GNCC XC1 CHAMPIONSHIP

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Due to the rugged nature of GNCC and Enduro racing, you

aren’t going to see a lot of bikes looking clean and pristine once

the race flags off. However, arrive at the track a little early, and

you can get a real eyeful; these bikes are pure eye candy.

So we’re showing off the 450 XC-F ridden by Factory FMF/KTM

rider Charlie Mullins, a multi-time champion. We’ll call out some

of the key elements they add to build a great stock bike into a

national-class winner.

FACTORY FMF/KTM OFF-ROADRACING TEAMBIKES OF THE STARS:

Tires: Dunlop Geomax are the tires of choice for this

sponsored team, often an MX tire such as the MX52

up front and an AT81 in back.

FMF is not just a sponsoring entity with the team;

they also develop new competition exhaust systems

on team bikes for peak performance. Case in point:

the FMF RCT 4.1 full system seen here, which is now

available as a production item.

The WP Factory 4800 MXMA Cone Valve Fork and WP

Factory 5018 TRAX shock absorber are expensive

additions for peak performance and full adjustability.

But they’re not unobtanium; you can order them from

KTM as KTM Genuine Accessories.

The fork legs clamp into XTRIG PHDS aluminum triple

clamps, which are adjustable for offset. The PHDS

handlebar mount absorbs vibration and allows the

bar to be held in any of 12 positions. Mullins prefers

Renthal aluminum Twinwall handlebars.

Acerbis skid plates, hand guards, fenders, lower fork

covers and more provide protection and good looks.

Rekluse Core Manual Clutch packs are used to handle

the extreme abuse of heated competition, and air

filtration is by Twin Air.

Excel A60 rims are light and strong, and Mullins in

particular favors the Factory SXS heavy-duty rear

brake caliper available as a KTM accessory. The chain

guide and slider are from TM Designworks, the 520

XW-Ring chain from RK. Trinity Innovations creates

the graphics package.

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For the 2014 Flat Track season, Dunlop teamed up with AMA Pro Racing to present select riders throughout the

season with the “Accelerate Your Soul Award.” The award includes a free set of Dunlop flat track tires that go to

the Expert or Pro rider who logs the fastest lap of the day at each AMA Pro Flat Track mile race.

The first recipient of the award was Jared Mees, who recorded a 0:34.028 at the legendary Springfield Mile on

May 25. Other winners include Bryan Smith, Sammy Halbert, Kenny Coolbeth and Henry Wiles.

13

PHOTO: AMA PRO RACING/DAVE HOENIG

DUNLOP’S “ACCELERATE YOUR SOUL” AWARD

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JARED MEES AND KYLE JOHNSONTAKE 2014 AMA PRO FLAT TRACK TITLES

BRYANSMITH

After a season-long battle with rivals Bryan Smith and Jake Johnson, Jared Mees left the final 2014 race at the

L.A. County Fairplex with his second-career AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship Expert title.

The top three riders in the GNC point standings were separated by just 15 points. Mees' lead was 13 points

coming into final race of the season, and he made the best of it, finishing third to take the championship.

The 2014 AMA Pro Flat Track Pro Singles championship was also decided at Pomona, with Kyle Johnson

taking the title in only his second professional season. Johnson began turning heads when he ripped off three

straight victories at Knoxville, Lima and Hagerstown. The championship was a nail-biter to the end, with

Johnson edging Davis Fisher out of the title by a single point.

Dunlop is the official tire of AMA Pro Flat Track.

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JAREDMEES

2014 AMA PRO GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (AFTER 16 OF 16 ROUNDS)

1. Jared Mees 279

2. Bryan Smith 276

3. Jake Johnson 264

4. Kenny Coolbeth, Jr. 208

5. Brad Baker 202

6. Henry Wiles 196

7. Sammy Halbert 178

8. Brandon Robinson 151

9. Stevie Bonsey 135

10. Jake Shoemaker 118

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KYLEJOHNSON

2014 AMA PRO SINGLES (AFTER 16 OF 16 ROUNDS)

1. Kyle Johnson 191

2. Davis Fisher 190

3. Ryan Wells 171

4. Jarod Vanderkooi 150

5. Bronson Bauman 148

6. Dan Bromley 135

7. Brandon Wilhelm 109

8. Ryan Foster 79

9. Kolby Carlile 76

10. Justin Jones 74

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AMA FLAT TRACK POMONA NATIONAL2120

AMA FLAT TRACK POMONA NATIONAL

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2322

AMA FLAT TRACK POMONA NATIONAL

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DUNLOPATHLETESCLAIM 12 MEDALS AT X GAMES

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ESPN IMAGES

RONNIERENNER

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TOMPARSONS

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MIKEMASONBLAKEWILLIAMS29

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STEP UP

Gold: Ronnie Renner (Dunlop)

Silver: Bryce Hudson (Dunlop)

Bronze: Libor Podmol (Dunlop)

BEST WHIP

Gold: Tom Parsons (Dunlop)

Silver: Jeremy Stenberg (Dunlop)

Bronze: Josh Hanson (Dunlop)

SPEED & STYLE

Gold: Mike Mason (Dunlop)

Silver: Blake Williams (Dunlop)

Bronze: Jarryd McNeil (Dunlop)

MEN’S ENDURO X

Gold: Taddy Blazusiak (Dunlop)

Silver: Cody Webb (Dunlop)

WOMEN’S ENDURO X

Gold: Kacy Martinez (Dunlop)

Over 160,000 extreme sports fans flocked to Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX for four days of high-

flying, action-packed, nail-biting competition for the 2014 Summer X Games. Out of five Moto X

categories, Dunlop-sponsored riders scored 12 of 15 available medals, including five Gold, four Silver and

three Bronze. Dunlop athletes swept the podium in Step Up, Best Whip and Speed & Style.

Our congratulations go out to all Dunlop riders, with a special shout-out reserved for the following Medal winners:

TADDYBLAZUSIAK

KACYMARTINEZ

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2014 MOTOCROSS SEASON IN REVIEW

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KENROCZEN

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RYANDUNGEY

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Both Dunlop-sponsored riders had incredible seasons, with

Roczen wrapping up the 450 class championship at the finale

in Utah and Martin collecting enough points to secure the 250

title in Indiana with one round remaining.

In the 450 competition, Roczen was a fixture at the front of the

field all season, but the championship battle between him and

teammate Ryan Dungey came down to the final round at

Tooele’s Miller Motorsports Park. With a 20-point advantage

over Dungey, a third-place finish in the first moto and a fourth-

place finish in the second moto were enough for the rookie to

secure the title. The German native was the most consistently

dominant rider in the premier division, logging five overall

wins, eight moto wins and leading 140 laps. Dungey finished

out the season with solid 2-2 scores for second-place overall,

ultimately securing the runner up spot in the championship

with 518 points. Dungey was also extremely consistent,

finishing on the podium in 21 of 24 motos and claiming four

overall wins at the Glen Helen season opener (3-1), Budds

Creek (2-1), Washougal (1-1) and Unadilla (1-2).

Team Honda Muscle Milk’s Trey Canard capped off a

successful season by winning four of the last five motos, and

wrapping up third in the championship series. After leading

multiple laps and logging several podium finishes throughout

the beginning of the season, Canard was finally able to defeat

the dominant KTM teammates and capture his first career 450

moto win at Unadilla. The following week, Canard had another

stellar showing aboard his Dunlop-equipped Honda CRF450R,

dominating the second moto once again to secure second

overall at the inaugural Indiana National. Canard continued his

winning ways at the finals in Utah, dominating the day’s 450

competition by sweeping both motos to clinch his career-first

overall win.

Monster Energy Kawasaki fill-in rider Brett Metcalfe had a

stellar season aboard his Dunlop-backed KXF450, logging

multiple top-5 finishes to achieve fourth overall in the

championship. Despite only competing in eight of the 12

round this summer, GEICO Honda’s Eli Tomac still finished fifth

in the season points standings by scoring one win and six

additional podiums. The 450 class rookie immediately made

his presence known with a third-place overall performance at

his debut in Tennessee, and continued to impress throughout

the remainder of the year. He wrapped up the 2014 season

with 4-3 marks for a solid third-place overall finish.

IT WAS AN INTENSE BATTLE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE12-RACE SEASON OF THE 2014 LUCAS OIL PROMOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, BUT RED BULL KTM’SKEN ROCZEN AND YAMALUBE/STAR RACING YAMAHA’SJEREMY MARTIN TRIUMPHED OVER THE COMPETITION INTHEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES TO BE CROWNED CHAMPIONS.

TREYCANARD

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JEREMYMARTIN

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COOPERWEBB

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In the 250 class, Martin put forth an impressive performance en route

to his first career title, controlling the championship points lead and red

number plate through all 12 rounds. The 21-year-old began the season

on fire after sweeping the first five motos in a dominant fashion. Martin

tallied five additional moto wins to total 10 for the season, while also

capturing five overall wins and leading a total of 146 laps. Finishing

second in the standings by a mere two points is Monster Energy/Pro

Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett. Despite many ups and downs this

season, the former champion fought hard until the final moto to secure

the runner up spot with 3-3 marks. Baggett finished on the podium in

12 of 24 motos raced and scored three overall victories. Yamalube/Star

Racing Yamaha teammate Cooper Webb rounded out the top three

with 419 points. Webb captured his career first victory with an exciting

2-1 performance at Muddy Creek and won two additional motos

throughout the season.

This season Dunlop-backed riders dominated the series with an

impressive top five overall sweep in both the 250 and 450 classes. In

this open tire series, Dunlop claimed 70 of the 72 possible podiums.

IN THE 250 CLASS, MARTIN PUTFORTH AN IMPRESSIVEPERFORMANCE EN ROUTE TO HISFIRST CAREER TITLE.

BLAKEBAGGETT

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450 CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (AFTER 12 OF 12 ROUNDS)

1. Ken Roczen 532 (Dunlop)

2. Ryan Dungey 518 (Dunlop)

3. Trey Canard 468 (Dunlop)

4. Brett Metcalfe 334 (Dunlop)

5. Eli Tomac 319 (Dunlop)

6. Andrew Short 302

7. Weston Peick 290 (Dunlop)

8. Josh Grant 259

9. James Stewart 226 (Dunlop)

10. Fredrik Noren 207 (Dunlop)

250 CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (AFTER 12 OF 12 ROUNDS)

1. Jeremy Martin 500 (Dunlop)

2. Blake Baggett 421 (Dunlop)

3. Cooper Webb 419 (Dunlop)

4. Marvin Musquin 408 (Dunlop)

5. Justin Bogle 368 (Dunlop)

6. Christopher Pourcel 355

7. Jason Anderson 276 (Dunlop)

8. Cole Seely 260 (Dunlop)

9. Jessy Nelson 252 (Dunlop)

10. Dean Wilson 230 (Dunlop)

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48 49

GP-A PROSPORTMAX

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50 51

Progress on the racetrack is easy to measure: Stopwatches don’t lie. So to help test the new bi-

directional Sportmax GP-A Pro DOT road race tires, Dunlop enlisted AMA Pro Daytona SportBike

stars Cameron Beaubier and Garrett Gerloff. The results speak for themselves.

In 2013 at Road America, back-to-back testing of the existing Dunlop D211 GP-A race tire and

the prototype GP-A Pro saw Gerloff chop 1.78 seconds off his lap time—a huge leap forward.

Beaubier, who became the 2013 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike champion, pared down his lap times

as well. But he also demonstrated the advantage of the GP-A Pro in more dramatic fashion, drag-

ging his elbow while cornering—something he said he had never done before at Road America.

“The new tire offers better edge grip,” said Beaubier. “I feel much more confident at full lean, and

the bike seems to track better under braking.” Higher traction at full lean—it’s no coincidence the

same compound and construction used in that prototype tire ended up in the production GP-A Pro.

THE NEXT-GENERATIONDUNLOP ROAD RACE TIRE

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JOINTLESS TREAD APPLICATION The Jointless Tread application is key to the GP-A Pro bi-directional construc-

tion. Using the process pioneered on the bi-directional KR451 slick race tire,

sophisticated production machinery in Dunlop’s Buffalo, New York plant winds

the tire tread onto the carcass in a continuous strip allowing the tire to be run

in both directions.

CARBON FIBER TECHNOLOGYThe GP-A Pro sidewalls (front and rear) incorporate the same carbon-fiber technology

introduced in Dunlop’s newest Sportmax Q3. In fact, the GP-A Pro and Q3 were

developed concurrently. GP-A Pro development also included a sneak-peek run in

October of 2013 at an endurance race at Barber Motorsports Park. This ultra-demanding

real-world test demonstrated significant gains in performance. With this carbon fiber

reinforcement element in the sidewalls, the GP-A Pro helps provide

exceptional cornering stability and predictable and smooth

transitional-steering traits.

BI-DIRECTIONAL TECHNOLOGYDunlop’s commitment to expanding the performance envelope of this new race tire did not stop with higher grip. Dunlop also

offers a feature that allows this tire to last longer by making the rear tire bi-directional.

Racetracks typically put more wear on one side of the tire than the other. The

bi-directional GP-A Pro rear tire can be flipped in rotational direction to get more laps out of the tire. This versatility helps club

racers and track-day riders stretch their tire budget. But it also pays off at the pro level. AMA regulations allocate five fronts and

seven rear tires for a double-header race weekend. Now, using bi-directional tires, teams can run a practice session with a “re-

freshed” tire that has been flipped around and save a new tire for timed qualifying, for example. With Dunlop’s innovative

bi-directional technology, riders of all levels can benefit.

COMPREHENSIVE DESIGN ADVANTAGESThe GP-A Pro features many innovative tire construction technologies developed by Dunlop in recent years, including:

—Carbon Fiber Technology (CFT)

—Jointless Tread application

—N-TEC radial tire construction

—Continuously wound Jointless Band (JLB) aramid-fiber belt

—Continuously wound hex-beads

—Intuitive Response Profile (IRP)

JOINTLESS TREAD ZONE

ANGLED REINFORCING

BELTS

APEX (CARBON FIBER REINFORCED)

SYMMETRICAL TREAD PATTERNAfter the tread rubber is wound onto the tire carcass, this uncured tire goes into a mold

that creates the tread pattern and gives the tire its final shape. Although the front tire is

not reversible—unnecessary since typical track wear generally sees a ratio of about

two rear tires used to one front tire—the GP-A Pro incorporates a new, symmetrical

tread pattern on both front and rear tires, which was developed through real-world race

testing at tracks around the country and the Dunlop Proving Grounds in Huntsville, Ala-

bama. Compared to the previous-generation D211 GP-A, the “land-to-sea” ratio of the

GP-A Pro tread pattern places appreciably more rubber down in the working area of

the tires to offer enhanced performance.

INTUITIVE RESPONSE PROFILEThis rear-tire technology incorporates

steep sidewalls for a unique tire profile

that helps enhance steering response,

feedback to the rider and overall

cornering stability. Intuitive Response Profile (IRP) offers

greater latitude in line choice while cornering and offers

amazingly linear steering at various lean angles.

With the GP-A Pro, Dunlop not only delivers a higher level of

performance for professional riders in AMA DOT-class racing

for 2014, bi-directional tire technology gives club racers and

weekend track riders longer lasting tires. More grip and more

laps—the GP-A Pro delivers both.

CONTINUOUS WOUND HEX BEADSLike the Q3 and D211 GP-A, the GP-A Pro also features Dunlop’s continuously wound hex beads. This hex bead offers en-

hanced feel as the tire nears its cornering limits. They are also light and strong, which offers a benefit to steering response

and cornering stability.

N-TEC CONSTRUCTIONBeneath the tread, the carcass

incorporates many of Dunlop’s high-

tech advancements including hybrid

N-TEC construction. N-TEC combines

the benefits of compliant cut-breaker

construction with stiffer, continuously

wound aramid-fiber Jointless Band

construction, and was first designed

specifically for racing applications.

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JOINTLESS TREAD ZONE JOINTLESS TREAD ZONE

ARAMID JOINTLESS BELT

ANGLED REINFORCING BELTS

90° CARCASS PLY

SIDEWALL

APEX(CARBON FIBERREINFORCED)

CHAFER/TOEGUARD

HEXAGONAL BEAD

54 55

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56 57

THE LAST AMA PRO ROAD RACING SEASON

COMES TO AN END

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58 59

ROGERHAYDEN

This has been a pivotal year for Dunlop as the new,

next-generation bi-directional Sportmax GP-A Pro DOT

road race tires are now in use in the Daytona SportBike,

SuperSport and Harley-Davidson XR1200 classes, and

they helped drop lap records at several tracks. This

transition is been especially notable since together with

the SuperBike slicks, all AMA Pro racing tires are now

being produced in Dunlop’s Buffalo, New York

manufacturing plant.

With the championship in all four classes up for grabs at

New Jersey, the only thing certain was that nothing is

ever certain in racing until the checkered flag falls. And

that certainly proved to be the case as the first day of

competition, Saturday, greeted all racers with rainy,

challenging conditions.

NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTSPARK HOSTED THE FINAL ROUNDOF THE AMA PRO ROAD RACINGSERIES FOR 2014, THE SIXTHCONSECUTIVE YEAR DUNLOP HASSERVED AS SPEC TIRE PROVIDERFOR THE ENTIRE PADDOCK.

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60 61

JOSHHAYES

SUPERBIKEJosh Hayes entered the final round with a commanding 40-point lead over his Monster

Energy Graves Motorsports Yamaha teammate Cameron Beaubier. Hayes made a definitive

statement during qualifying by staking out the pole position. On a wet track during Saturday’s

race, Hayes crossed the finish line first, but he was later dropped to a second-place finish

behind Yoshimura Suzuki’s Roger Hayden. Following the race, it was ruled he had passed

under a yellow flag during his battle with Hayden. Still, his second-place points were enough

to sew up the 2014 championship—his fourth in the SuperBike class. Beaubier had gone

down in the wet and tricky conditions, which ended any hopes he had for challenging Hayes.

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CAMERONBEAUBIER

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DAYTONA SPORTBIKESaturday saw Dane Westby ride his Yamalube-sponsored Yamaha to his third win of the season in a rain-drenched race,

but it was Jake Gagne who scored big on his RoadRace Factory Red Bull Yamaha as his second-place finish was

enough to clinch the class title. Gagne’s closest rival, Jake Lewis, got sidelined by electrical issues with his

Motosport.com Meen Motorsports Yamaha that took him out of the race and out of championship contention. Jake

Zemke filled out the top three, which was his first podium finish of the season.

In Sunday’s race Gagne ran away with the DSB win, carving out a gap of nearly five seconds mid-race. Now free of the

pressures of earning championship points, he put in a masterful display of speed to demonstrate that he is indeed the

class of the class. “What a way to finish off the weekend,” Gagne said. “There were no points on the line, so I really

wanted to go for it. To get the championship yesterday and the win today is really unbelievable.”

65

JAKEGAGNE64

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JAKELEWIS67

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HAYDENGILLIMDUSTINDOMINGUEZ

SUPERSPORTOn Saturday, dicey conditions saw Hayden Gillim win a rain-shortened-race, his third of theseason, to extend his points lead from two to seven points over Dustin Dominguez, who finishedsecond. The next day, Dominguez did all that he could in winning the race but it wasn’t enoughas Gillim finished a close second—even leading the race at times—to lock up the championshipaboard his TOBC Racing Suzuki. After three years of high-ranking end-of-the-year finishes,Gillim finally claimed his first AMA title. “To finally come out here and battle for wins and finallyget the Number 1 on the bike, I can’t thank the team enough,” Gillim said.

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XR1200 CLASSIn Sunday’s Harley-Davidson XR1200 event, Kyle Wyman capitalized on lapped traffic late in the race to score

his second win of the season. He beat Steve Rapp to the line by 1.667 seconds and Tyler O’Hara finished third.

Danny Eslick clinched the championship with a conservative ride to sixth place aboard his Ruthless Racing /

Trev Deeley Motorcycles Harley-Davidson. Nursing a bad shoulder and injured thumb from a crash during the

morning qualifying session, he shook off the effects and did what he had to do, and finished with a 16-point

cushion. This victory marks his second championship in the series, having previously won the 2010 title.

70

DANNYESLICK71

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BENNYCARLSON73

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DUNLOP RIDERS CONQUER

THE ISLE OF MAN

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In 2014, Dunlop-sponsored riders upheld a longstanding tradition at the island: winning at a

record pace. During the week of competition, Dunlop riders smashed lap records en route to

claiming four out of a possible five wins.

Michael Dunlop, who announced his retirement from racing earlier in the year, made a

spectacular return on a BMW. During qualifying, he switched from another tire brand to Dunlop,

and the combination worked: he boosted his Isle of Man TT race wins to eleven.

TT legend John McGuinness overcame a wrist injury to claim his 21st TT win in the Zero

Challenge and broke the lap record along the way. Bruce Anstey added more Dunlop caps on

the podium in the Supersport, Superstock and TT Zero classes as well as being the only man

to break the 132 mph barrier on the iconic mountain course. Newcomer Peter Hickman, not

only took eleventh in the Senior TT, but also set the fastest ever lap by a first timer with a

stunning lap of 129.104mph.

DUNLOP-SPONSORED RIDER IOM LAP RECORDS:

• Overall lap record (Bruce Anstey): 132.298 mph

• Lap record for the Senior TT (Michael Dunlop): 131.668 mph

• Fastest newcomer (Peter Hickman): 129.104 mph

• TT Zero (John McGuinness): 117.366 mph

A COURSE THAT’S 37 MILES LONG. SPEEDS APPROACHING200 MPH. AND A HISTORY THAT STRETCHES MORE THAN100 YEARS. TRULY, IN ALL THE WORLD OF MOTORSPORTS,THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE ISLE OF MAN TT.

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ROLANDSANDSCREATES BMW CONCEPT NINETY

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To commemorate BWW Motorrad’s 90th anniversary, the

company collaborated with Roland Sands Design to create

a unique machine that pays homage to the classic BMW

R90S, one of BMW’s first truly world-class sporting

machines that happens to be celebrating it’s 40th

anniversary. The R90S finished first and second in the AMA

Superbike race at Daytona in the hands of Reg Pridmore

and Steve McLaughlin. Sands and his team started with an

R90S, and essentially created a whole new machine around

the 899cc air-and-oil cooled engine.

“The aim of the BMW Concept Ninety is to show how

reduced and pure an emotional BMW motorcycle can be,”

explains Ola Stenegard, Head of BMW Motorrad

Vehicle Design.”

The bike’s basic proportions are clearly geared towards the

original: the faring, fuel tank and rear section instantly

reveal the bike’s kinship with the BMW R90S. The BMW

Concept Ninety also echoes the separation of the

motorcycle’s proportions which was typical at the time: the

trim is visually distinct from the black engine and chassis

sections. While halogen reflected the technological state-

of-the-art in the original machine, cutting-edge LED lighting

elements give the BMW Concept Ninety its face today.

Working with BMW, Sands and his team created a load of

all-new parts for the bike to create exactly the look they

desired. “It was important for me to translate the statement

made by the BMW R90S into the present through the use

of unique parts, employing emotional design and cutting-

edge technology,” said Sands.

The end result speaks for itself.

81

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“THE AIM OF THE BMW CONCEPT NINETY IS TOSHOW HOW REDUCED AND PURE AN

EMOTIONAL BMW MOTORCYCLE CAN BE.”

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©2014 Dunlop • P. O. Box 1109, Buffalo, New York 14240-1109 • 1-800-845-8378 • dunlopmotorcycle.com

UPCOMING EVENTSJanuary 3

AMA Supercross Round 1Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA

January 10AMA Supercross Round 2

Chase FieldPhoenix, AZ

January 17AMA Supercross Round 3

Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA

January 24AMA Supercross Round 4

O.Co ColiseumOakland, CA

January 31AMA Supercross Round 5

Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA

February 7AMA Supercross Round 6

Petco ParkSan Diego, CA

February 14AMA Supercross Round 7

AT&T StadiumArlington, TX

February 21AMA Supercross Round 8

Georgia DomeAtlanta, GA