Rider Files

(NEWS RELEASE)

Designer Troy Lee Uses Century Old Artistic Technique in Finished Product

HELMETS DEBUT TODAY ON NBC 4:30 PM PST/7:30 PM EST NOTRE DAME – MARYLAND GAME

The University of Notre Dame will celebrate its Shamrock Series football matchup TODAY, Saturday, November 12th, against the University of Maryland, wearing helmets specially designed and painted by Southern California-based Troy Lee Designs.

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 12, 2011 — The University of Notre Dame will celebrate its Shamrock Series football matchup TODAY, Saturday, November 12th, against the University of Maryland, wearing helmets specially designed and painted by Southern California-based Troy Lee Designs.

Created in partnership with adidas, this year’s Shamrock Series helmets took over one month to complete, with more than 4 hours of meticulous hand-craftsmanship going into each helmet. Using time-honored artistic practices, the Notre Dame helmets are covered with spun 24-carat gold leaf and have been machine-turned more than 200 times. This particular process, credited entirely to the craftsman at Troy Lee designs, provides the Shamrock Series helmets with a newer more brilliant bright gold finish, a tribute to the iconic Notre Dame dome. Something unique to these types of helmets is the impressive swirl effect, multi-layer textured finish. Additionally, a seven-layer printing process was utilized to achieve the rich green color of the shamrock.

The process that Troy Lee Designs used for this project is one that dates back to the 1800’s whereby early artisans used pure gold dust, infused with other liquid substances to paint intricate murals and other works of art that still adorn many churches, cathedrals andcastles around the world today. Additional fodder for the process used on the Notre Dame helmets came from the type of paint-process used in the 1920’s and 30’s in the painting of carriages and early fire engines.

According to Troy Lee, “we were honored to be asked to do this project – it was a way to pay homage to Notre Dame’s rich football heritage and traditions. Notre Dame’s idea to bring back the iconic design that was in use from the late 1950’s to 1962 was something I was so proud to be part of.”

The Notre Dame football helmet project took a team of 12 Troy Lee Designs’ employees, including designer Anton Henggono with gold leafing by Jay Stemska and accessory detail from Jason Navarette.

These new helmets mark the first in a series of uniform features that will be utilized for Notre Dame’s Shamrock Series contests. The Shamrock Series is the new term delegated to the off site game played by the Notre Dame Football Team each year. For this game each football season, the Irish will deviate from the norm when it comes to the helmet, jersey, pants and shoes the team wears.

Look for the DEBUT of the new Troy Lee Designs helmets TODAY, Saturday, November 12th during the Maryland vs. Notre Dame, FedExField, Landover, MD.

Television coverage on NBC at 7:30 PM EST / 4:30 PM PST.

Below is a behind-the-scenes look at the Troy Lee Designs paint process for the Notre Dame helmets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhea3GLlQdw&feature=player_embedded

Attached: photo images Troy Lee Designs Notre Dame helmets

Photo credit: Troy Lee Designs

About Troy Lee Designs:
For 30 years, Troy Lee has been customizing helmets “For The World’s Fastest Racers.” TLD’s relentless commitment to creating products that exceed the cutting edge of style, design and quality, has earned them the reputation as an innovator in many different fields of racing. Troy Lee Designs has since expanded into a full force operation, offering a complete line of helmets, apparel and premium protection for off-road motorcycling and bicycling, as well as seasonal lines of sportswear and accessories. Based in Corona, California, Troy Lee Designs has a global network of distributors.

About adidas:
For over 80 years, the adidas Group has been part of the world of sports on every level, delivering state-of-the-art sports footwear, apparel and accessories. Today, the adidas Group is a global leader in the sporting goods industry and offers a broad portfolio of products. Products from the adidas Group are available in virtually every country of the world.

About Notre Dame Football:
The University of Notre Dame Football Team has been competing since 1887. The Fighting Irish claim 11 National Championships and have produced 7 Heisman Trophy winners. Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.

LIKE us on Facebook:

facebook.com/troyleedesigns.tld

Follow us on Twitter:

@troyleedesigns

Roadracingworld.com and AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike rider Chris Ulrich will be holding a fund-raising two-seat Superbike ridealong event November 26-27 at Fontana, California’s Auto Club Speedway, in association with Fastrack Riders Association (FRA). Read more.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Michael Willard Grabs Second Arenacross Lites Victory of Season

MADISON, Wis. (November 11, 2011) – The opening night of the third round of the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series season produced arguably the most impressive outing of the young season. Following his first win of the year last weekend, FMF Power/Poynt TUF Honda’s Jeff Gibson, of Blacklick, Ohio, dominated on Friday night inside the Alliant Energy Center, leading all 25 laps in the Arenacross class main event. In the second round of the Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites class championship, Dragon Racing Fuels KTM’s Michael Willard, of Newark, Ohio, raced to his second victory of the year, in similarly convincing fashion.

Gibson emphasized the value of a good start earlier in the week, and proceeded to grab the holeshot and early lead as the gate dropped. Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki presented by Maxxis’ Chad Johnson, of Rhinelander, Wis., and Team Faith KTM’s Kelly Smith, of Ludington, Mich., followed Gibson at the conclusion of the opening lap and kept the veteran rider honest.

While the lead trio looked to pull away from the field, Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda’s Nathan Skaggs, of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Babbitt’s Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki’s Tyler Bowers, of Danville, Ky., battled for position to take their shot at the podium. Bowers moved by Skaggs quickly, and then set his sights on Smith. After battling the KTM rider for a few laps, Bowers made the move and continued to push forward. In the closing stages of the race, he slipped by his teammate Johnson for second, where he would finish, over five seconds behind Gibson. Wisconsin-born Johnson rounded out the podium in third.

In the Arenacross Lites class, Dragon Racing Fuels KTM’s Dalton Carlson, of Dayton, Minn., raced to the holeshot with Willard in tow. Before the conclusion of the opening lap, Willard took over the lead and then proceeded to pull away from his competitors. Behind him, the battle for the podium continued, but no one had anything for the Ohio rider.

Willard crossed the finish line multiple seconds ahead of his teammate, Carlson, who gave Dragon Racing Fuels KTM a 1-2 finish with a career-best performance. KTM rider Travis Sewell, of Westville, Ind., grabbed the final spot on the podium.

In the Dash for Cash, Foremost Insurance/Spinechillers/Storm Lake Honda KTM’s Willy Browning, of Pleasantville, Ohio, took an impressive win, with proceeds going to the local Lussier Teen Center.

The Madison Arenacross continues tomorrow night from the Alliant Energy Center. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. CT.

Arenacross Class Results (Madison, Wis.)

1. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda
2. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki
3. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki
4. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM
5. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki
6. Kurt McCabe, Marion, Iowa, Honda
7. Tyler Bright, Hamer, S.C., KTM
8. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM
9. Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki
10. Willy Browning, Pleasantville, Ohio, KTM

Arenacross Lites Class Results (Madison, Wis.)

1. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM

2. Dalton Carlson, Dayton, Minn., KTM

3. Travis Sewell, Westville, Ind., KTM

4. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki

5. Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki

6. Tanner Moore, Auburn, Kan., KTM

7. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., KTM

8. Adam Gulley, Jonesburg, Mo., Kawasaki

9. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM

10. Kevin Markwardt, Freeport, Ill., Honda

Arenacross Class Points (After Race 4 of 19)

1. Tyler Bowers, Danville, Ky., Kawasaki – 94
2. Jeff Gibson, Blacklick, Ohio, Honda – 88
3. Josh Demuth, North Richland Hills, Texas, Kawasaki – 78
4. Chad Johnson, Rhinelander, Wis., Kawasaki – 62
5. Nathan Skaggs, Chillicothe, Ohio, Honda – 61
6. Kelly Smith, Ludington, Mich., KTM – 59
7. Tyler Bright, Hamer, S.C., KTM – 44
8. Zach Ames, Prospect, Ohio, Kawasaki – 41
9. Kurt McCabe, Marion, Iowa, Honda – 40
10. Shawn Rife, Mechanicsburg, Ohio, Honda – 39

Eastern Regional Arenacross Lites Class Points (After Race 3 of 10)

1. Michael McDade, Indiana, Pa., Kawasaki – 63
2. Dave Ginolfi, Lake Hopatlong, N.J., KTM – 50
3. Michael Willard, Newark, Ohio, KTM – 47
4. Travis Sewell, Westfield, Ind., KTM – 41
5. Steven Mages, Sardinia, Ohio, Kawasaki – 34
6. Maxx Malatia, Itasca, Ill., Honda – 34
7. Cody Robbins, Huntersville, N.C., Kawasaki – 33
8. Dalton Carlson, Dayton, Minn., KTM – 31
9. T.J. Phillips, New Castle, Pa., Kawasaki – 28
10. Kevin Johnson, Spring, Texas, KTM – 26

Live timing and scoring from each round of the AMA Arenacross Series returns for the 2012 season! To follow the intense racing action live, log onto www.Arenacross.com.

For more information on the 2012 AMA Arenacross Series, log on to www.Arenacross.com. For all media requests, please contact Brandon Short brandon@nextlevelsportsinc.com or 949-365-5750.

Never miss out on the latest news! Follow the AMA Arenacross Series on Facebook and Twitter! Log on to http://www.facebook.com/AMAarenacross and http://twitter.com/arenacross today!

About Feld Motor Sports^®
Feld Motor Sports^®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Nuclear Cowboyz^®, and IHRA^® Nitro Jam^®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

(NEWS RELEASE)

Now through January 31, 2012, with the purchase of a men's or women's RS Taichi leather suit, buyers receive a free pair of racing gloves. This is a recession-busting value of up to $220, just in time for the holidays.

DALLAS (November 11, 2011) — Now through January 31, 2012, with the purchase of a men’s or women’s RS Taichi leather suit, buyers receive a free pair of racing gloves. This is a recession-busting value of up to $220, just in time for the holidays.