Buffalo, NY For fans of the 2006 AMA Superbike series, March 9 is the kickoff for some of the best roadracing anywhere in the world. For Dunlop Motorcycle Tires–the premier supplier of tires to the top factory and support teams competing in Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and Formula Xtreme competition–the series requires a level of support unmatched in the industry. “Not only is Daytona International Speedway the leadoff venue for the AMA Superbike series, it is also the home of the Daytona 200, the most demanding road race in the world,” said Jim Allen, Dunlop’s manager of U.S. road racing. “We understand the demands of the track better than any other tire company but we leave nothing to chance. We come prepared.” Dunlop arrived at DIS a full week in advance and in force. Three semi-tractor trailers brought tires and tire-changing and balancing equipment. Come race day, more than 2600 tires will be on site, including 400 shipped directly from the company’s factory in the UK built just for the Daytona 200. The familiar yellow-and-black shirted Dunlop crew will be ever-present, including five technical engineers from the company’s US headquarters in Buffalo, four service engineers and managers from the UK, the manager of road racing design from Japan and 15 tire-fitters servicing the needs of the teams. The banking and surface at DIS place unusual demands on racing tires, which is why Dunlop hosts an annual tire testing session with its sponsored teams there each winter. At the December 2005 session, more than 250 team members and riders attended. “We tested new construction designs for all four AMA classes and all showed improvement over our 2005 race tire designs,” said Allen. “We also evaluated some new compounds. This may be the first race of the year for the teams, but we are ready with construction designs and compounds proven to be effective on this track.” Last season, the road course at DIS was reconfigured. The elimination of the west banking was a positive step to reduce tire temperatures, but the track — always known to generate a lot of wear and heat in the left portion of the rear tire — added more infield turns, most of them lefts, so wear on the left side of the tread is still evident. In addition, last May the track was repaved from turn one through the new infield section, increasing available traction and subsequently wear. The Daytona 200, contested by the Formula Xtreme class, is expected be the most competitive in several years. The tires that Dunlop brings for this one race are particularly unique, explained Allen. “Even though the top teams in this class are running 600cc four-cylinder machines, the tire loads are still tremendous on the banking. These tires also have to handle the heat generated in the infield. Bottom line: we produce a tire for this race that holds up extremely well and our record backs that up.” For the 2006 AMA season, Dunlop is supporting five manufacturers–Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha–and their seven support teams: Erion Racing, Rockwall Honda, Attack Kawasaki, Jordon Motorsports, Matsushima Racing, Mladin Motorsports and Graves Motorsports. Collectively the teams represent the series’ top 24 riders, including 10 who compete in Superbike, 12 in Superstock, seven in Supersport and 10 in Formula Xtreme. It takes an immense logistical effort to coordinate this level of activity and at the center of this tour-de-force is Allen. “We pride ourselves on our ability to understand what each team and rider needs and we meet those needs,” said Allen. “It requires people with years of experience and understanding and we have that. Our people and our level of support are what make Dunlop what it is. We know tires and we know racing like no one else.” About Dunlop Tires Dunlop Tires 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, please visit www.dunlopmotorcycle.com.