Dunlop’s Buffalo-Made Sportmax D211 GP-A Reaches New Highs At Daytona Buffalo, NY: With the opening round of the 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing season now in the history books, Dunlop’s new 190/60ZR17 Sportmax® D211™ GP-A tire, made in Buffalo, NY, has decisively cemented its reputation as a winner. In addition to this tire winning the high-profile Daytona 200 in the hands of 19-year-old Joey Pascarella, the new 190/60ZR17 Sportmax D211 GP-A won both AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport Series races (James Rispoli and Elena Meyers). As another example of its racing prowess, the D211 GP-A established new SuperSport lap records during the course of the weekend, with Jake Lewis notching the best race lap time of 1:51.3″”a considerable improvement over the standing record of 1:52.1 set in 2011. “Daytona is always a very challenging race track, and this outstanding performance by the Buffalo-made D211 GP-A is a great way to start the 2012 AMA Pro Road Racing season,” said Mike Buckley, Vice President Sales and Marketing. “The close racing and excellent lap times are really a testimony to this new Buffalo-made tire. We’re looking forward to more success stories as the season progresses.” Dunlop is the Official Tire of AMA Pro Road Racing, and all riders at AMA Pro road races compete on Dunlop tires. The whole range of D211 GP-A tires, as well as Dunlop’s Buffalo-made KR448F and KR449 slicks, are available from Race Tire Service at 800-772-TIRE (800-772-8473). The direct line for orders or tech questions is 615-641-3323; fax 615-641-8959. Also, race tires can be ordered via email at [email protected], and online orders or requests for information can be obtained at www.dunlopracing.com. About Dunlop Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S. and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America. With North American operations headquartered in Buffalo, NY, Dunlop has been making and selling high-quality tires in the U.S. since 1923. For more information, visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com. More, from a press release issued by Project 1 Atlanta: With a Mission and a Cause Project 1 Atlanta WINS the Daytona 200 Ocala, FL – March 20, 2012- The March of Dimes was honored to be a part of the 71st DAYTONA® 200 Saturday at Daytona International Speedway as Project 1 Atlanta (P1A) hit the speedway supporting their mission. As the underdog, Project 1 Atlanta came to the Daytona 200 with rider Joey Pascarella on the proven Yamaha YZF-R6 mounted with US made Dunlop tires to raise awareness and support for the March of Dimes. Former racer and fan of motorcycle roadracing, Jim Bronson, sponsored the team to help raise awareness & support for the March of Dimes March for Babies. The March of Dimes is a charity he actively supports and to which he is deeply committed. “This was such a fantastic event with hundreds of fans showing their support for the March of Dimes. They have touched so many lives, the least we can do is help them share their mission,” commented Jim Bronson. P1A rider Joey Pascarella mentions his own Grandfather was born with a birth defect, he thanks the March of Dimes for his ability to walk, “It is an honor to ride for such a great team like P1A and for such a wonderful cause. I was so happy to be here. I’m glad I was able to bring the Project 1 Atlanta March of Dimes Yamaha home for a win.” Now the team is getting prepared for the Triumph Big Kahuna National Race at Road Atlanta where they plan to continue their support for the March of Dimes and welcome other fans, businesses and organizations to get involved. “One in eight babies are born too soon in the United States. We have been so blessed, so this is our opportunity to bring awareness for the March of Dimes to give every baby a healthy start in life. It’s just the right thing to do,” said P1A’s team owner, Perry Melneciuc. “We are very excited about the win in Daytona and look forward to a great race in Atlanta.” P1A would like to personally thank the Dunlop staff in Buffalo, NY for their hard work and dedication in creating a tire that could handle the demands of the high banks at Daytona International Speedway. They would also like to recognize The Jon Block Group, Mach 1 Motorsports, SE Composites, DrippinWet and DeLuca Toyota for their support. About the March of Dimes The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.com or www.nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter Kmart, Farmers Insurance Group, Cigna, Famous Footwear, Sanofi Pasteur, FedEx, Mission Pharmacal, Watson Pharmaceuticals, First Response, and United Airlines. To learn more or to register for March for Babies, visit www.marchforbabies.org. More, from a press release issued by Team Stroud Suzuki: Stroud Wins New Zealand TT Title Andrew Stroud took a pair of impressive Superbike wins on his Suzuki at Hampton Downs on Sunday, including the prestigious New Zealand Tourist Trophy title. Stroud (Hamilton) had to work hard for both victories during the penultimate round of the 2012 Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship. He also closed a massive 40.5 point deficit to series leader Robbie Bugden (Australia) to be an achievable 10.5 points behind heading into the final round at Taupo on Sunday. From second position on the grid the 44 year old veteran snatched the holeshot in the opening stanza but it wasn’t long before a three-way tussle developed between Bugden and James Smith (Christchurch), with all three Suzuki racers sharing the lead during a hectic battle. Stroud’s experience shone through when he grabbed the lead at the right moment to cross the line first on his David Reid Homes Waikato GSXR1000 for a well deserved win. Race two doubled as the NZ Tourist Trophy race, first held on Waiheke Island in 1932. After intermittent rain, Stroud began the race in a cautious mood on the dry yet still slippery surface, but it wasn’t long before he took the lead from a fast-paced Sloan Frost (Wellington) and Ray Clee (Kumeu). Frost and Stroud began a long duel for the 20 lap NZTT on a track known for chewing up Superbike tyres after less than ten laps. Stroud had fitted Pirelli ‘slicks’ to his David Reid Homes Waikato GSXR1000 at the last moment and, despite tremendous pressure from Frost on a ‘slick’ shod BMW, Stroud held firm and again re-took the lead when it mattered, to earn his second win for the day and the NZ TT title. Stroud said after his win, “Towards the end of the first race I noticed Robbie sliding around quite a lot going into the straight, but to set the lap record in the very last lap of a 20 lap race is just a real testament to my Pirellis’ durability and traction for the whole race. “The Pirellis were just fantastic, I’m really happy with them, and the Suzuki has the speed and the handling, and the Ohlins guys helped me set it up really well, it’s just faultless!” Bugden failed to complete the second race. “That’s made it interesting for the last round because if I won them both, and if Robbie (Bugden) got two seconds, he’ll still be half a point ahead of me for the championship! But Sloan (Frost) is riding well and he’s been to Taupo quite a bit lately, so hopefully he’ll be in the mix as well.” Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship points standings (unofficial). Robbie Bugden, 132.5; Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, David Reid Homes Waikato Suzuki GSXR1000), 122; Sloan Frost, 97.5; Nick Cole, 91.5; James Smith, 82. 2012 Castrol Power 1 NZ Superbike Championship Schedule; Rnd 5: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo, March 24-25