2011 is the third year of the revamped US national championships, and Dunlop’s third as sole tyre supplier to all four classes. But even before the control-tyre regulations, Dunlop dominated.

The tyres have achieved victory in the premier Superbike class for the past 20 years. Dunlop’s serial success was achieved with several riders, the most successful being Australian Matt Mladin, who took his tally of titles to seven in 2009, before retiring. No other rider has won more than three, with the latest triple champion being Ben Spies, later World Superbike champion and now a factory MotoGP rider.

It was the same in the 600 Supersport class: Dunlop won every title from its inception in 1987 to its termination in 2008. The all-American series has evolved over the years, switching from a mixed-discipline championship (dirt track and road-racing) to pure road racing in the 1970s. The latest change, introduced by the Daytona Motorsport Group, moved towards a more street-bike-oriented series, at the same time as appointing Dunlop as sole supplier.

It is a ten-round series, including an event as a support race for the US GP. The past AMA classes closely mirrored those in Europe; and the trans-Atlantic cross-over of development and ideas gave full benefit to both sides. In particular, Dunlop’s NTEC technology was tried and tested in the demanding US conditions as well as in European racing. Dunlop’s first year as sole tyre supplier in 2009 gave the company valuable experience for the Moto2 sole supply contract beginning in 2010.