Team Pro Circuit

Team Pro Circuit is a Motorcross 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.

Kawasaki
Team Pro Circuit
2021 nameTeam Monster Energy / Pro Circuit / Kawasaki
BaseCorona, California
PrincipalMitch Payton
Rider(s)Austin Forkner
Jordon Smith
Jo Shimoda
Cameron Mcadoo
Seth Hammaker
MotorcycleKawasaki KX250F
TyresDunlop

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 championships 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 and Ryan Villopoto.

History

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

Honda

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

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 loyalties 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. This was a monumental achievement as it seemed the team had finally been able to translate their success in Supercross ( indoor ) to the Motocross (outdoor) championship. Furthermore, this period represented the formative years of Ricky Carmichael, who would go on to be one of the best riders of all time.

Team Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki: 2001–2003

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

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 motocycles 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 introcuced 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

Team Pro Circuit currently race the 2019 Kawasaki KX250F.[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.[15]
  • It is water cooled and utilises "DOHC" technology.[15]
  • The bore x stroke: 77.0 x 53.6mm.[15]
  • Compression ratio: 13.4:1[15]
  • Fuel system: DFI® with 43mm Keihin throttle body, dual injectors[15]
  • Ignition: Digital DC-CDI[15]
  • Transmission: 5-speed[15]
  • Final Drive: Chain[15]

Suspension[edit]

  • Front : 48mm inverted "Showa SFF" telescopic fork featuring preload, rebound and compression adjustment.[15]
  • Rear : "Uni-Trak®" linkage system paired with a Showa shock with high and low speed compression dampening, rebound dampening and preload adjustment.[15]

Chassis[edit]

  •  Frame type: Aluminum perimeter[15]
  • Rake / Trail: 28.4°/4.8 in[15]
  • Overall Length: 85.5 in[15]
  • Overall Width: 32.5 in[15]
  • Overall Height: 50.0 in[15]
  • Ground Clearance: 12.8 in[15]
  • Seat Height: 37.2 in[15]
  • Curb Weight: 230.3 lb[15]

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

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

Owner / Team Manager

  • Mitch Payton

Research and Development

  • Zach White
  • Iain Southwell
  • Jon Primo
  • Adam Walters

Mechanics

  • Olly Stone
  • Colter Ahrens
  • Kyle Defoe
  • Brandon Zimmerman

Transportation Specialist

  • James Shoffner

Brand Associations and Sponsorship

Notable current and past brand sponsorships and associations.[16]

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

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

Ricky Carmichael

Results

Results for Team Pro Circuit in each year of competition.[17][18]

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

References

  1. "Vital MX's The Inside Line Podcast | Mitch Payton - Episode 1".
  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".
  4. "Mitch Payton Pro Circuit Interview 2019 Moto Life Story Of How Ended Up In Wheel Chair KX250 MX SX".
  5. "Team Pro Circuit 1991-2018". Retrieved 2019-05-12.
  6. "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. "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. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  14. "2019 KX250 | Kawasaki Motors Australia". Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  15. "2019 KX250 | Kawasaki Motors Australia". Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  16. "Pro Circuit Race Team ~Team Sponsors". www.procircuit.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  17. "Results | Supercross Live". www.supercrosslive.com. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
  18. "2018 Race Results". Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. Retrieved 2019-05-13.
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