JANUARY 2010
CONTENTS
Dunlop Download magazine is published for Dunlop Motorcycle Tires by Vreeke & Associates. www.vreeke.com2 3
4 JCR SETS NEW BAJA 1000 RECORD
5 WEIGAND WINS 2009 AMA WESTERN HARE SCRAMBLESNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
5 ATTENTION ALL RACERS
6 IVAN TEDESCO LEADS USA CHARGE AT MX OF NATIONS
8 NEW RIDERS SWELL DUNLOP SX RANKS IN 2010
16 FRENZIED SPORT, STILL IMAGES
28 DUNLOP SWEEPS U.S. OPEN
32 OVAL DUNLOPS
36 BIKE OF THE MONTH: BEN BOSTROM’S 2009 YAMAHA YZF-R6
40 BY THE NUMBERS: FAST TIMES WITH BEN BOSTROM
42 UPCOMING EVENTS
ON THE COVER:James Stewart finds himself on Dunlop tiresonce again—and also finds himself a winneragain, sweeping both nights of the U.S. Openof Motocross to collect a cool $100,000.
FOR DUNLOP VIDEOS PLEASE VISITYOUTUBE.COM/DUNLOPTIRESCHANNEL
JCR Honda’s Tim Weigand has successfully clinched his first-
ever major AMA national off-road title by winning the 2009
AMA Western Hare Scrambles (WHS) National Championship
aboard his Dunlop-equipped CRF450R. Weigand kicked off his
2009 campaign with a third-place finish at the opening round,
then took the victory at round two and backed up that success
with podium finishes at rounds five and six.
Breaking from the crowd and extending his series points lead
by 25 by the end of round six, Weigand went to the FIM
International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Portugal as a USA
Trophy Team rider. On day five of the ISDE, Weigand was
injured—severely lacerating his finger—but earned a gold
medal before returning for the Western Hare Scrambles finale.
Attending the final WHS round but unable to compete in the
final race, Weigand had enough points from victories earlier in
the season to earn the 2009 title. Fellow Dunlop rider Valli
Motorsports’ Kyle Summers joined Weigand on the
championship podium, finishing the series third overall
in points.
WEIGAND WINS 2009 AMA WESTERN HARESCRAMBLES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
54
JCR SETS NEW BAJA 1000 RECORD
ATTENTION ALL RACERSNo matter which off-road racing venue you’ve chosen, Dunlop
has the right tire and specific recommendations for you. From
professional Supercross and Arenacross to Off-Road/Enduro
and Amateur National MX, we have all the tire info you’ll want
to get ready to win!
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE TIRE USAGE GUIDE
KENDALLNORMAN
The Johnny Campbell Racing (JCR) team
of Kendall Norman, Quinn Cody and Tim
Weigand recently rewrote Baja racing
history by winning the 42nd annual
SCORE Baja 1000, which marks a record
13th consecutive Baja 1000 win for
Dunlop-equipped Hondas. The team
averaged 49.97 mph on a dust-laden run
over Baja’s legendary wilderness and
finished the 673-mile-long endurance test
with a time of 13:27.50.
“The racers did a phenomenal job of pre-running and
preparing their race,” said Johnny Campbell, team
owner and the winningest Baja racer in history.
“Kendall Norman did an excellent job leading this team
to victory. What a tremendous team effort! The 1X plate
is home where it belongs thanks to the entire team and
all the volunteers who made this possible.”
Dunlop congratulates the JCR team for conquering
some of the most rugged terrain on the planet and
extending this legendary win streak in Baja.
76
Experience does count—just ask Ivan Tedesco. IT had
been a member of previous USA teams that brought
back gold medals from the Motocross of Nations, an
international event that draws together the top riders
worldwide. And in 2009 he helped lead the USA to
victory once again.
“I was a part of the winning team in 2005 and 2006, so I
understood what it would take as a whole to win,”
Tedesco said. “The knowledge and experience I brought
to the team this year was really important. It was both
my teammates’ first-ever time racing the Motocross of
Nations, so it was important that I was there to give them
advice—just like Ricky Carmichael did for me when I
raced my first-ever event. I’m really proud that I was
chosen to be a part of the team again.”
IVAN TEDESCOLEADS USACHARGE ATMX OF NATIONS
98
CHADREED
NEW RIDERS SWELLDUNLOP SX RANKS IN 2010
HHoonnddaa
The Honda Red Bull Racing team remains in the
Dunlop fold with Andrew Short and Davi Millsaps
riding Honda’s CRF450R. Ashley Fiolek also returns
to the team to compete in the Women’s Motocross
Championship, where she is the reigning champion.
The GEICO Powersports Honda squad also returns
with Kevin Windham contesting Supercross events
this year and Trey Canard, Brett Metcalfe, Justin
Barcia and Blake Wharton riding in the Lites classes
for SX and MX. Other Honda/Dunlop team riders
include the Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Honda
squad with Wil Hahn and Cole Seely in the Lites
classes, and Ben Townley riding outdoor Motocross
only. The Rockstar/Hart & Huntington Honda team
features Chris Blose and Matt Boni in SX and MX.
YYaammaahhaa
James Stewart, the 2009 Supercross champion,
headlines Team L&M San Manuel Yamaha, which
also features Josh Hill. Josh Grant and Justin
Brayton will ride 450 Yamahas for the Joe Gibbs
Racing/Muscle Milk/Toyota Yamaha team, and DNA
Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha fields a Lites team
comprised of Martin Davalos, Broc Tickle, Nico Izzi
and Max Anstie. MotoConcepts Racing has Dan
Reardon racing a YZ450F plus Ryan Sipes, Jeff
Alessi, Travis Baker and Vince Friese in the Lites
classes, while Valli Motorsports features Ivan
Tedesco and Kyle Regal.
WITH THE NEW SUPERCROSS SEASON KICKING OFF, RACE FANS WILLENJOY SEEING THE DRAMATIC JUMP IN DUNLOP RIDERS FOR 2010. THISTALENT-LADEN ROSTER INCLUDES EVERY REIGNING CHAMPION IN AMASUPERCROSS AND MOTOCROSS, IN BOTH 450 AND LITES CLASSES.
KKaawwaassaakkii
The Monster Energy Kawasaki team headlines 2009’s
Motocross champion Chad Reed along with Ryan Villopoto.
In addition, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team
will field Josh Hansen in the 450 class along with a strong
contingent of Lites riders: 2009 Supercross Lites East
champion Christophe Pourcel, Jake Weimer, Tyla Rattray and
Dean Wilson.
SSuuzzuukkii
The Rockstar Makita Suzuki team features double-champion
Ryan Dungey, who collected the AMA 250 Motocross and
Supercross Lites West titles in 2009. He will ride a RM-Z450
in 2010 alongside Matt Moss, while Lites rider Austin
Stroupe fills out the roster. The Motosport Suzuki team sees
Tommy Hahn and Jake Moss contesting SX and MX, plus
Lites riders Blake Baggett, Ryan Morais and Hunter Hewitt.
KKTTMM
In 2010, the factory Jagermeister-sponsored KTM team
fields Mike Alessi in the 450 Motocross class, with Tommy
Searle in 250 Motocross. KTM will not contest the
Supercross series in 2010.
CLICK HERE MORE SX IMAGES
1110
JAMESSTEWART
RYANDUNGEY
CHRISTOPHEPOURCEL
1312
RYANVILLOPOTO
ASHLEYFIOLEK
TOMMYHAHN
1514
ANDREWSHORT
MARTINDAVALOS
JOSHHILL
KEVINWINDHAM
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2010 HONDA RED BULL RACING VIDEO
1716
FRENZIED SPORT,STILL IMAGESNot many sports begin to approach the level of
frenzied activity surrounding the world of
motorcycle racing. Whether we speak of the
heart-stopping lean angles found on paved
tracks or the high-flying exhibitions of grace
plus brute power found in Supercross and
Motocross, racing on two wheels creates visual
spectacles that truly bend the imagination.
Now, choose your favorite flavor of two-
wheeled competition and visualize yourself in
possession of a season-long pass to every
race, access to those oh-so-special trackside
spots, 100 pounds or so of photographic
equipment and a very special eye for the racing action as
well as the artistic wherewithal to capture moments that
define our sport, pure and simple. Indeed, we know two
such individuals who happen to possess all of the foregoing
qualities and more, which places them at the forefront of
motorcycle racing photography: Brian J. Nelson in road
racing, Simon Cudby in motocross.
Among the reams of outstanding work accomplished by
these two men, here you will see a compilation of some of
the best moments of the 2009 racing season, frozen in time
by the cameras of Nelson and Cudby. So sit back and
enjoy these moments of reflection upon our sport. We
know we did.
JOSH HERRINVIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
ALTON, VA
1918
ANDREW SHORTMOTO-X 338
SOUTHWICK, MA
2120
UNADILLA VALLEY SPORTS CENTERNEW BERLIN, NY
THUNDER VALLEY MOTOCROSS PARKLAKEWOOD, CO
WASHOUGAL MX PARKWASHOUGAL, WA
2322
MAT MLADINROAD AMERICA
ELKHART LAKE, WI
2524
IVAN TEDESCOTHUNDER VALLEY MOTOCROSS PARKLAKEWOOD, CO
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE MOTOCROSS PHOTOS
2726
DANNY ESLICKNEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTS PARK
MILLVILLE, NJ
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE ROAD RACING PHOTOS
2928
SWEEPS U.S. OPENDUNLOP
At the 2009 U.S. Open of Supercross held at the MGM Grand
Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV, on October 9-10, Dunlop
racers arrived ready to dominate the competition—and
dominate they did. With most of the top Supercross teams
choosing to fit Dunlop tires to their 450 race machines, it’s no
wonder the top five racers on both Friday and Saturday night
and all of the top 10 overall finishers rode on Dunlops.
On night one, San Manuel Yamaha’s James Stewart grabbed
the early lead aboard his YZ450F over fellow Dunlop racer
Geico Powersports Honda’s Dan Reardon. Stewart went on
to win, and Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps passed
Reardon to finish second, with Reardon third. MotoConcepts
Racing Yamaha’s Matt Goerke nabbed fourth, and
completing the Dunlop sweep in fifth was JGR Yamaha’s
Christian Craig.
JAMESSTEWART
3130
The Dunlop barrage up front continued on night two with Reardon head-
ing the charge out of the gate. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Vil-
lopoto charged hard aboard his Dunlop-equipped KX450F, getting by
Reardon to take the lead. Stewart didn’t get the best of starts but quickly
worked his way through the pack to battle Villopoto and get out front.
Once there he was unstoppable, riding a strong race to secure night
two’s top prize. Villopoto crossed the finish line in second, while Millsaps
passed Reardon late in the race to finish third. Reardon settled in fourth,
followed by Rockstar Makita Suzuki’s Michael Byrne in fifth. Combining
the scores from both nights, Dunlop made a clean sweep of the podium
with Stewart crowned 2009 U.S. Open Champion, followed by Millsaps
in second and Reardon in third. Overall, all of the top 10 finishers rode
on Dunlops.
Sharing the Las Vegas spotlight were America’s most talented 85cc am-
ateur racers. 2009 Team Dunlop members Adam Cianciarulo and
Thomas Covington finished second and third, but it was Dunlop racer
and Team Dunlop alumnus Chris Alldredge who took top honors. Finish-
ing second to Cianciarulo on the opening night of competition, Alldredge
got the upper hand in points by beating Cianciarulo on night two. Cov-
ington’s five/three results allowed him to grab third on the podium.
DANREARDON
CHRISALLDREDGE
DAVIMILLSAPS
3332
OVALDUNLOPS
3534
“Just gas it and turn left,” goes the old saw about dirt-track racing. But as any
AMA Grand National rider or tuner can tell you, there’s much more to the races
than merely getting around the track. The subtleties of Grand National racing
run the gamut from carburetion and air density to track surface and tire
pressure, and a pro tuner’s notebook typically bulges with such esoterica. One
major decision got a lot easier in 2009, however, with the selection of Dunlop
tires as the spec tire for the entire AMA Pro Grand National Championship
racing series.
The move to Dunlops not only simplifies the race tuner’s life, it also increases
potential competition. By placing all the bikes on the same tires, the change
eliminates any advantage a particular team might have had with the use of
limited-production, specially built tires. For 2009, the move likely played a role in
the most competitive series in Grand National history, as six riders arrived at the
final race in Pomona, CA, with a shot at the championship.
When the gates opened at the Fairplex stadium, Jared Mees came in as the
odds-on favorite, as anything above an eighth-place finish in the Half-Mile
would give him the top spot. If Mees stumbled, however, an outright win by any
of the five other riders would put one of them at the front, as a scant nine points
separated the next five riders. Those potential winners included current and
three-time GN champion Kenny Coolbeth, followed by Bryan Smith, Sammy
Halbert, seven-time GN champ Chris Carr and one-time GN champion Joe
Kopp. Ironically, the only rider in the group to not have won a race in the 2009
season came out on top, as Mees nailed down the crown with a fifth-place
finish at Pomona. His victory also represented the first time a rider has taken the
GN championship without scoring a single win in the season.
The Pomona pits also demonstrated that the AMA’s latest efforts to get more
manufacturers into dirt-track racing have begun to show results, as the infield
included examples from Aprilia, Buell, Ducati, Honda, Rotax, Suzuki and
Triumph in addition to the inevitable Harley-Davidson XR750s. The one
constant, however, was the Dunlop logo on the sidewalls, which no doubt made
the tuners heave a sigh of relief.
JAREDMEES
3736
BIKE OF THE MONTH:
BEN BOSTROM’S2009 YAMAHA YZF-R6
Ben Bostrom focused on the American
Superbike series in 2009, but in between
his battles in the big-bike class, Bostrom
rode the “little bike,” as he calls it: a
Graves Motorsports–prepped YZF-R6
that took him to the Pro SuperSport
championship in 2008. In 2009, Bostrom
rode the R6 twice with the same results:
victory, at both the Daytona 200 and the
USGP in Laguna Seca. Here’s an inside
look at BB’s favorite ride.
3938
Yamaha 3.5x17 wheel/DunlopSportmax GP-A 120/70ZR17 tire
Graves Motorsports clip-ons with Renthalgrips and folding brake and clutch levers
Yamaha 4.6-gallon fueltank/Sunoco 260 GTX race fuel
Zero Gravity windscreen
Sharkskinz seat and bodywork
Ohlins steering damper on Graves Motorsports mount
Ohlins Racing Service Centre/Graves Works Spec forks
599cc DOHC engine with 13.1:1 compression/Dynojetignition module/Graves Motorsports billet engine covers
Graves Motorsports titanium exhaust
Graves Motorsports rearsets
Vortex sprockets/DID 520 chain
DRY WEIGHT: 366 POUNDS
Yamaha swingarm/Ohlins Racing ServiceCentre/Graves Works Spec shock
Yamaha 5.5x17 wheel/Dunlop Sportmax GP-A 190/55ZR17 tire
Yamaha 220mm disc;single-piston caliper
Yamaha dual 310mm floating discs;radial-mount four-piston calipers
CLICK HERE TO SEE BOSTROM IN ACTION
4140
BEN BOSTROMFAST TIMES WITH
BY THE NUMBERS:
Ben Bostrom is the kind of guy who is nothing but fast on anything with two wheels. As a teenager
he started racing on dirt flat tracks, switched to road racing a few years later and hasn’t slowed
since. In 1998 he was Superbike champion on a Honda; in 2008 he brought home the SuperSport
championship aboard his R6. In between he proved he hadn’t lost his dirt skills by capturing a
Supermoto championship and a Supermoto gold medal at the X Games. In 2009 he added Daytona
200 winner to his accomplishments, and he was a regular podium visitor in the Superbike class.
Early Career: Raced AMA Flat Track as a teenager; turned pro in 1991.
1993: AMA Flat Track Rookie of the Year.
1995: First AMA National road race win at Firebird with Bartels’ Harley-Davidson.
1996: Won five SuperTwins finals, barely missed the championship for Bartels’ Harley-Davidson;earned three podium finishes in 600 SuperSport with Zero Gravity Racing.
1998: Won Pro Superbike championship with American Honda.
1999: Collected a World Superbike win at Laguna Seca, a Pro Superbike win at Brainerd and six morepodium finishes with Vance & Hines Ducati.
2000: First full World Superbike season; finished seventh.
2001: Finished third in World Superbike series.
2003: Returned to AMA racing with American Honda and finished fourth in Superbike series; won thePro Supermoto championship.
2004: Contested both Pro Superbike and Formula Xtreme; finished fourth in Superbike season; won agold medal in the inaugural Supermoto at the X-Games.
2007: Joined Yamaha/Graves Motorsports race team; finished second in the Superstock championship.
2008: Captured the Pro SuperSport championship by winning six of 11 races and finishing off thepodium only once.
2009: Daytona 200 winner, fifth overall in American Superbike class.
AMA Supercross #1January 9
Angel StadiumAnaheim, CA
AMA Supercross #2January 16Chase FieldPhoenix, AZ
AMA Supercross #3January 23
Angel StadiumAnaheim, CA
AMA Supercross #4January 30AT&T Park
San Francisco, CA
AMA Supercross #5February 6
Qualcomm StadiumSan Diego, CA
AMA Supercross #6February 13
Angel StadiumAnaheim, CA
AMA Supercross #7February 20
Lucas Oil StadiumIndianapolis, IN
AMA Supercross #8February 27
Georgia DomeAtlanta, GA
UPCOMING EVENTS
©2009 Dunlop Tires • P. O. Box 1109, Buffalo, New York 14240-1109 • 1-800-845-8378 • dunlopmotorcycle.com