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Team Pro Circuit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Team Pro Circuit
2022 nameTeam Monster Energy Pro Circuit
BaseCorona, California
PrincipalMitch Payton
Rider(s)Levi Kitchen
Drew Adams
Cameron Mcadoo
Seth Hammaker
MotorcycleKawasaki KX250F
TyresDunlop

Team Pro Circuit is a motocross and supercross team based in Corona, California. It is owned and operated by Mitch Payton. Team Pro Circuit competes in the AMA Motocross and Supercross championships on Kawasaki 250cc four-stroke motorcycles.

Team Pro Circuit has hosted over 50 riders, winning 30 AMA professional championships and collecting accolades including 150 AMA Supercross wins, over 100 AMA Motocross wins and 6 MXON victories. Pro Circuit has won more AMA championships than any of their competitors.[1][2]

Notable riders who have competed with Team Pro Circuit include; Ricky Carmichael, Jeremy McGrath, James Stewart Jr., and Ryan Villopoto.

History

[edit]

Team Owner Mitch Payton started riding motorcycles when grandparents bought him a Honda C90 Step Through. His passion developed over the years to the point where he was racing motorcycles competitively in the deserts of California. At age 17, Payton was racing in California City, California. Payton fell violently down a steep hill, damaging the nerve passages along his spine, resulting in him losing the use of his legs.[3]

Following the incident, Payton wanted to stay in the motorcycle racing community and did so by purchasing the motorcycle store that supported him during his racing days " Anaheim Husqvarna " in 1978. Along with selling Motorcycles themselves, Payton designed and produced components such as exhaust pipes and suspension components to improve the performance of the motorcycles. Payton thought it unlikely that other motorcycle shops would stock and sell his performance parts if they were marketed under the business name of his motorcycle shop, which was competing for customers. Payton's solution was the creation of a business name to sell his parts, "Pro Circuit". A Friend of Payton campaigned for him to build parts for other brands of motorcycles, something at the time Payton thought was redundant as those motorcycles seen to have good performance. The first component he produced for a make of motorcycle other than Husqvarna was an exhaust for a 125cc Honda motorcycle. Sales of the exhaust far surpassed Payton's expectations. Payton took this success as a sign he should expand his product line even further to making parts for all makes and models.

Payton's success caught the attention of big name riders and industry people alike, including Motorcross legend Rodger De Coster who was running the Factory Honda professional racing effort at the time. De Coster met with Payton to try his performance parts, specifically his exhaust pipe and modified engine, De Coster was impressed and contracted Payton to supply his team with engines.

At the end of 1990 De Coster approached Payton and asked him if he would be interested in taking over the Factory Honda racing team in a management position. Payton accepted forming what formally became known as a "satellite" style team.[4]

Team Peak / Pro Circuit / Honda : 1991–1992

[edit]
One heart LAB Industries

In 1991 Payton ventured into professional racing with Team Peak / Pro Circuit/ Honda.

The most notable rider to join the team in its first year was Jeremy McGrath. McGrath signed a contract Factory Honda from amateur racing. McGrath was startled when Honda assigned him to Team Pro Circuit as the team was brand we and considered to be a satellite team.

In 1991 Team Pro Circuit won the Supercross lites class in the west division ( rider: Jeremy McGrath) and east division ( rider: Brian Swink). Both Jeremy Beuhl and Steve Lamson finished in podium positions in their respective Supercross lites championships. This represented a monumental achievement for the team. From this point the team established its place as a front runner in the Supercross lites championship.

In 1992 Jeremy McGrath again won the Supercross Lites West championship aboard a Honda, with Buddy Antunez following behind in second place. Team Pro Circuit didn't have the same success in the East division.

Despite a successful two seasons, the end of 1992 saw Honda decide to dissolve their support for the team.

Team Splitfire / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki: 1993–2000

[edit]

The season of 1993 was Team Pro Circuits first year with sponsorship from Kawasaki motorcycles. This partnership formed late in the 1992 offseason as the team expected continued support from Honda. Honda's withdrawal lead to financial struggles. Payton was forced to search for financial sponsorship as Kawasaki was only able to supply bikes and parts as they had already assigned their sponsorship cash pool to other teams.

Hot Wheels, the popular toy brand came to the team's rescue. However, the sponsorship was not without controversy. The sponsorship came after a dispute over the name of a video game the toy maker was producing. The game used the trademarked title "Pro circuit". Mitch Payton demanded that Hot Wheels pay him royalties or sponsor his racing team. They chose the latter.[5] The team achieved Supercross championships in the 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000.[6]

Ricky Carmichael signed with the team in 1997. He won the team an outdoor championship in his rookie season. Ricky Carmichael would go on to be one of the best riders of all time.

Team Pro Circuit/Kawasaki: 2001–2003

[edit]

In 2001 the team again experienced a significant change in sponsorship. Hot Wheels withdrew their support for the team and Splitfire spark-plugs where far less prominent on the team's motorcycles. Kawasaki stayed on as the motorcycle sponsor.

During this period team experienced a dry spell in the Supercross series. From 2000 to 2003 no championships were won. The drought was finally broken in 2004 by Ivan Tedesco.[6]

During the same period Mike Brown won the 2001 Motocross championship

Team Monster Energy / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki: 2004–2019

[edit]

Supercross and Motocross racing changed significantly in this period as teams began to compete almost exclusively on 4 stroke motorcycles. Motorcycle manufacturers, including Kawasaki had invested heavily in 4 stroke technology in the preceding years, primarily focusing on higher displacement motorcycles. In 2004 the first production Kawasaki KX250F was released and as such, Team Pro Circuit changed their development focus from 2 stroke 125cc motorcycles, to 250cc four-stroke motorcycles. The new four-stroke motorcycles were heavier by comparison to the highly-optimised 2-stroke motorcycles that had evolved over the years, however also represented significant advantages over the 2 stroke bikes.[7] Payton tried to avoid racing 4 strokes, however, did not have his way. R&D demands on the team leading up to the 2004 season were sizeable. The team was tasked with optimising much more complicated motorcycles. Payton hired experts to advise him on how to develop his new race machines. The team engaged in rigorous testing to sort the suspension on the new motorcycles and arrived on the start line in 2004 ready to race.

Monster Energy came on as a title sponsor and the team rebranded.[8]

They experienced success immediately with Ivan Tedesco in the Supercross season of 2004, taking the championship. This marked the start of 9 consecutive championship winning years for Team Pro Circuit.

In the following years, Pro Circuit dominated the 250cc Supercross and Motocross competitions, winning all the championships the team contested in 2005 and 2007.

2006 saw the arrival of Ryan Villopoto who would go on to become one of the most successful riders in recent history. Villopoto dominated the competition, winning championships in each of the three years he competed with Team Pro Circuit before moving on after the 2008 outdoor season.

In 2013, Team Pro Circuit introduced 11 time AMA Amateur National Motocross Champion Adam Cianciarulo to the team.[9] This came about though Mitch Paytons relationship with "Team Green", Kawasaki's amateur racing effort which Cinaciarulo was part of. Having been the most winning rider in amateur Motocross history, and also winning his first ever Supercross race, Cianciarulo was forecast to be the sports next big superstar. However, in 2013 Team Pro Circuit failed to earn any championship titles. A championship-less streak lasting 3 years followed. Rider injuries plagued the team. Contracted riders were unable to compete and results were not as good as they had been passed.

Justin Hill won the team's first championship in 4 years in 2017, taking the Supercross Lites West title.

In the years since, Team Pro Circuit has been present in the championship chase.

Notably in 2019, Team Pro Circuit held leading positions in the Supercross lites 250 East and West competitions before injury and mistakes resulted in the team losing both championships.[10]

Current Motorcycle

[edit]

Team Pro Circuit currently race the 2024 250 Kawasaki.[11][12] The motorcycle is modified by Team Pro Circuit subject to the AMA Rule Book.[13]

In its stock form, the motorcycle has the following technical specifications. ( Sourced from the manufacturers website[14])

Engine[edit]

  • Engine: single cylinder 250cc four stroke engine.[14]
  • It is water cooled and utilises "DOHC" technology.[14]
  • The bore x stroke: 77.0 x 53.6mm.[14]
  • Compression ratio: 13.4:1[14]
  • Fuel system: DFI® with 43mm Keihin throttle body, dual injectors[14]
  • Ignition: Digital DC-CDI[14]
  • Transmission: 5-speed[14]
  • Final Drive: Chain[14]

Suspension[edit]

  • Front : 48mm inverted "Showa SFF" telescopic fork featuring preload, rebound and compression adjustment.[14]
  • Rear : "Uni-Trak®" linkage system paired with a Showa shock with high and low speed compression dampening, rebound dampening and preload adjustment.[14]

Chassis[edit]

  •  Frame type: Aluminum perimeter[14]
  • Rake / Trail: 28.4°/4.8 in[14]
  • Overall Length: 85.5 in[14]
  • Overall Width: 32.5 in[14]
  • Overall Height: 50.0 in[14]
  • Ground Clearance: 12.8 in[14]
  • Seat Height: 37.2 in[14]
  • Curb Weight: 230.3 lb[14]

Features of the Team Pro Circuit racing machine are:[10]

  • Data acquisition hardware mounted on below the handlebars. It stores an SD card that stores data on how the motorcycle is running.
  • A custom front brake hose clamp that is stronger than the stock component.
  • Light Speed carbon front disc guard and skid plate.
  • BRAKING rotors and larger Nissin titanium calipers.
  • Dunlop tires and Excel A60 rims.
  • Titanium Axels with DLC coating.
  • Custom radiators with carbon fibre braces.
  • Custom built cams, intake air boots and throttle body designed and manufactured at the Pro Circuit facility in Carona.
  • Engine cases are carekoted or hard anodized for added strength.
  • Pro Circuit water cover/ impeller and oil pump cover for improved flow.
  • Pro circuit Radiator hoses.
  • Pro Circuit Ti-6 pro muffler.
  • Hinson clutch components.
  • Titanium bolts for weight saving.
  • Custom titanium footpegs.
  • Pro Circuit link arm and knuckle.
  • Showa "A Kit" suspension.
  • Twin Air air filter.
  • Modified sub-frame.
  • RK chain.
  • Renthal Sprockets.

Contested Series

[edit]

Team Pro Circuit currently competes in the United States. The team competes in 250cc competitions in both Supercross and Motocross. Team Pro Circuit competes in the following professional series;

AMA Motocross

The Indoor motorcycle racing championship in the United States. Competition takes place in the winter months.

The premiere Motocross racing championship in the United States. Competition takes place in the summer months.

Current Team Personnel

[edit]

Owner / Team Manager

[edit]
  • Mitch Payton

Research and Development

[edit]
  • Zach White
  • Iain Southwell
  • Jon Primo
  • Adam Walters

Mechanics

[edit]
  • Olly Stone
  • Colter Ahrens
  • Kyle Defoe
  • Brandon Zimmerman

Transportation Specialist

[edit]
  • James Shoffner

Brand Associations and Sponsorship

[edit]

Notable current and past brand sponsorships and associations.[15]

Year Sponsors Year Sponsors Year Sponsors Year Sponsors Year Sponsors
1991–1992 Renthal 1993–2001 Hot Wheels 2002–2004 Alpinestars 2005 Monster energy 2006 Monster energy
Peak Kawasaki Relthal Alpinestars Alpinestars
Splitfire Splitfire RK Relthal Relthal
Pro Circuit Pro Circuit Pro Circuit RK RK
Showa Renthal Castrol Pro Circuit Pro Circuit
Acerbis Bridgestone Chevrolet Castrol Castrol
Honda Kawasaki

Corp

Kawasaki Chevrolet Kawasaki
Indonesia

Apparel

Brand

Newfonts

Reg.

Kawasaki Vertex
Vertex
Year Sponsors Year Sponsors Year Sponsors Year Sponsors Year Sponsors
2007 Monster energy 2008 Monster energy 2009 Monster energy 2010–2015 Monster energy 2016–Present Fox
Alpinestars Alpinestars Alpinestars Alpinestars Dunlop
Relthal Relthal Relthal Relthal Renthal
RK RK RK RK RK
Pro Circuit Pro Circuit Pro Circuit Pro Circuit Monster Energy
Maxima Maxima Maxima Maxima Scott
Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet BRAKING
Kawasaki Kawasaki Kawasaki Maxima
Vertex Vertex Vertex

Notable Riders

[edit]

Over the years Team Pro Circuit has housed many successful riders. Some notable riders are listed below.

Ricky Carmichael
Christophe Pourcel

Results

[edit]

Results for Team Pro Circuit in each year of competition.[16][17]

Year Rider AMA Supercross Result AMA Motocross
1991 United States Brian Swink Supercross Lites East 1st 4th
United States Jeremy Buehl Supercross Lites East 2nd 16th
United States Jeremy McGrath Supercross Lites West 1st 5th
United States Steve Lamson Supercross Lites West 3rd 6th
1992 United States Buddy Antunez Supercross Lites West 2nd 16th
United States Jeremy Buehl Supercross Lites East 16th 22nd
United States Jeremy McGrath Supercross Lites West 1st 8th
United States Mike Brown Supercross Lites East 7th 24th
1993 United Kingdom James Dobb Supercross Lites West 9th 11th
United States Jimmy Gaddis Supercross Lites West 1st 22nd
United States Mike Chamberlain Supercross Lites West 8th 22nd
1994 United Kingdom James Dobb Supercross Lites West 6th 6th
Mexico Pedro Gonzalez Supercross Lites West 2nd 13th
United States Ryan Huges Supercross Lites West 4th 4th
1995 United States David Pingree Supercross Lites West 3rd 12th
France Mickaël Pichon Supercross Lites East 1st 5th
Mexico Pedro Gonzalez Supercross Lites West 9th 44th
United States Ryan Huges Supercross Lites West 2nd 2nd
1996 United States Casey Johnson Supercross Lites West 6th 17th
United States Chad Pederson Supercross Lites West 26th 8th
United States David Pingree Supercross Lites West 9th 28th
France Mickael Pichon Supercross Lites East 1st 14th
1997 United States Casey Johnson Supercross Lites West 3rd 6th
United States Craig Decker Supercross Lites West 6th 19th
United States David Pingree Supercross Lites East 16th 14th
United States Ricky Carmichael Supercross Lites East 3rd 1st
1998 United States Casey Johnson 3rd
United States Nathan Ramsey Supercross Lites West 4th 10th
United States Nick Wey 9th
United States Ricky Carmichael Supercross Lites East 1st 1st
1999 United States Billy Payne Supercross Lites West 14th 56th
United States Nathan Ramsey Supercross Lites West 1st 5th
United States Nick Wey Supercross Lites East 2nd 4th
United States Shea Bentley Supercross Lites East 18th 1st
United States Scott Sheak Supercross Lites West Withdrew 19th
2000 United States Billy Payne Supercross Lites West 10th
United States Nathan Ramsey Supercross Lites East 12th 21st
United States Nick Wey Supercross Lites East 4th 9th
United States Shea Bentley Supercross Lites West 1st 6th
United States Tallon Vohland Supercross Lites West 12th
2001 United States Bobby Bonds Supercross Lites East 15th 3rd
United States Casey Lytle Supercross Lites West 20th 19th
United States Mike Brown Supercross Lites East 3rd 28th
United States Shea Bentley Supercross Lites West 14th 1st
United States Tallon Vohland Supercross Lites East 5th 34th
2002 United States Bobby Bonds Supercross Lites West 35th 24th
France Eric Sorby Supercross Lites West 15th 27th
United States Matt Walker Supercross Lites West 10th 12th
United States Mike Brown Supercross Lites East 2nd 6th
2003 France Eric Sorby Supercross Lites West 6th 19th
United States Justin Buckelew Supercross Lites East Withdrew 12th
United States Matt Walker Supercross Lites West 5th
United States Mike Brown Supercross Lites East 2nd
2004 United States Ivan Tedesco Supercross Lites West 1st 4th
United States Matt Walker Supercross Lites West 52nd 6th
France Stephane Roncada Supercross Lites West 3rd 4th
2005 South Africa Grant Langston Supercross Lites East 1st 4th
United States Ivan Tedesco Supercross Lites West 1st 1st
United States Matt Walker Supercross Lites East 7th 9th
United States Paul Carpenter Supercross Lites West 15th 11th
2006 New Zealand Ben Townley Supercross Lites East Withdrew 24th
United States Chris Gosselaar Supercross Lites East 2nd 20th
South Africa Grant Langston Supercross Lites West 1st 26th
United States Ryan Villopoto Supercross Lites West 3rd 1st
United States Troy Adams Supercross Lites East Withdrew 10th
2007 New Zealand Ben Townley Supercross Lites East 1st 2nd
Australia Brett Metcalfe Supercross Lites East Withdrew 7th
United States Chris Gosselaar Supercross Lites West 5th 20th
France Christophe Pourcel Supercross Lites West 16th
Canada Darcy Lange Supercross Lites East 3rd
United States Ryan Villopoto Supercross Lites West 1st 1st
2008 United States Austin Stroupe Supercross Lites West 3rd 16th
Australia Brett Metcalfe Supercross Lites West 4th 3rd
United States Ryan Villopoto Supercross Lites East 2nd 1st
United States Branden Jasseman Supercross Lites East 4th 28th
2009 United States Jake Weimer Supercross Lites West 2nd 4th
United States Austin Stroupe Supercross Lites East 2nd 17th
France Christophe Pourcel Supercross Lites East 1st 2nd
United States Ryan Morais Supercross Lites West 3rd 33rd
South Africa Tyla Rattray 28th
2010 United States Jake Weimer Supercross Lites West 1st 11th
France Christophe Pourcel Supercross Lites East 1st 3rd
Scotland Dean Wilson Supercross Lites East 6th 4th
South Africa Tyla Rattray Supercross Lites East DNR 2nd
United States Josh Hansen Supercross Lites East 6th DNR
2011 Scotland Dean Wilson Supercross Lites East 2nd 1st
United States Broc Tickle Supercross Lites West 1st 7th
South Africa Tyla Rattray Supercross Lites West 7th 2nd
United States Blake Baggett Supercross Lites East 4th 3rd
United States Josh Hansen Supercross Lites West 3rd DNR
2012 Scotland Dean Wilson Supercross Lites West 2nd DNR
United States Broc Tickle 9th 5th
South Africa Tyla Rattray Supercross Lites West 15th DNR
United States Blake Baggett Supercross Lites East 4th 1st
United States Darryn Durham Supercross Lites East 5th DNR
United States Ivan Tedesco DNR DNR 17th
2013 Scotland Dean Wilson Supercross Lites East 7th 26th
Ecuador Martin Davalos Supercross Lites West 5th 15th
South Africa Tyla Rattray Supercross Lites West 8th 12th
United States Blake Baggett Supercross Lites West 29th 4th
United States Darryn Durham DNR DNR 14th
United States Adam Cianciarulo 16th
United States Justin Hill Supercross Lites East 12th 12th
United States Tyler Bowers Supercross Lites East 16th
2014 United States Blake Baggett Supercross Lites East 6th 2nd
Scotland Dean Wilson Supercross Lites West 3rd 10th
Ecuador Martin Davalos Supercross Lites East 2nd DNR
United States Justin Hill Supercross Lites West 4th 14th
United States Darryn Durham Supercross Lites West 21st DNR
United States Adam Cianciarulo Supercross Lites East 5th DNR
United States Chris Alldredge 21st
2015 United States Joey Savagy Supercross Lites East 4th 3rd
United States Adam Cianciarulo Supercross Lites East DNR 14th
United States Chris Alldredge Supercross Lites West 18th 13th
Switzerland Arnaud Tonus Supercross Lites East 19th 30th
United States Tyler Bowers Supercross Lites West 9th DNR
2016 United States Chris Alldredge Supercross Lites West 12th 26th
United States Joey Savagy Supercross Lites West 2nd 3rd
United States Adam Cianciarulo Supercross Lites East DNR 8th
United States Tyler Bowers Supercross Lites East 5th DNR
Switzerland Arnaud Tonus Supercross Lites East 21st 9th
United States Austin Forkner 4th
2017 United States Joey Savagy Supercross Lites East 3rd 5th
United States Austin Forkner Supercross Lites West 6th 13th
United States Adam Cianciarulo Supercross Lites East 2nd 3rd
United States Justin Hill Supercross Lites West 1st 19th
2018 United States Joey Savagy Supercross Lites West 4th 9th
United States Austin Forkner Supercross Lites East 4th 7th
United States Adam Cianciarulo Supercross Lites West 2nd DNR
Ecuador Martin Davalos Supercross Lites East 14th DNR
2019 United States Austin Forkner Supercross Lites East 3rd DNR
United States Garrett Marchbanks Supercross Lites West 10th 14th
Ecuador Martin Davalos Supercross Lites East 4th 18th
United States Adam Cianciarulo Supercross Lites West 2nd 1st

References

[edit]
  1. "Vital MX's The Inside Line Podcast | Mitch Payton - Episode 1". YouTube.
  2. "Pro Circuit Race Team ~Team History". www.procircuit.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  3. "Mitch Payton Pro Circuit Interview 2019 Moto Life Story Of How Ended Up In Wheel Chair KX250 MX SX". YouTube.
  4. "Mitch Payton Pro Circuit Interview 2019 Moto Life Story Of How Ended Up In Wheel Chair KX250 MX SX". YouTube.
  5. "Team Pro Circuit 1991-2018". Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  6. 1 2 "Results | Supercross Live". www.supercrosslive.com. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  7. "Supercross History: the Bike That Time Forgot". Motocross Action Magazine. 2018-07-25. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  8. "Team Pro Circuit 1991-2018". Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  9. "Cianciarulo, Adam". Motocross Action Magazine. 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  10. 1 2 "Inside Adam Cianciarulo's Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki KX250". Dirt Bike Magazine. 2019-05-13. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  11. "Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki | Official Kawasaki Racing Site". www.kawasaki.com. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  12. "Check out the Kawasaki 2019 KX™250". www.kawasaki.com. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  13. "Motocross Rules". American Motorcyclist Association. Archived from the original on 2019-05-29. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 "2019 KX250 | Kawasaki Motors Australia". Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  15. "Pro Circuit Race Team ~Team Sponsors". www.procircuit.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  16. "Results | Supercross Live". www.supercrosslive.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  17. "2018 Race Results". Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Retrieved 2019-05-13.