Komodo Sport News

Riders come and go. This is a known fact. The average racing career spans a short 3 years, but that’s not the case with Joe Prussiano. Joe is a racer who has covered a lot of tracks over the past 18 years. Not only is Joe fast, he’s smooth and he’s not a crasher. Joe has quite the racers’ resume: WERA, CMRA, AMA, Pike’s Peak and even World Endurance. Wow…I think Joe has earned a lot of racer’s respect and doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. Joe is a Pro who KNOWS his craft.

Komodo Gear caught up with Joe at MSR Cresson in July. We were glad to see him and even better, he was still wearing his racing leathers from Komodo – all right, Joe! We spent a few minutes with Joe and even captured a short video for your viewing enjoyment along with some pictures. Racing can be a dangerous sport, prepare for success and prepare for the unknown. Komodo Gear specializes in race gear; check out our racing products at www.komodogear.com

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My name is Craig Montgomery and I am an expert racer in the CMRA (Central Motorcycle Road Racing). It was round 5 of the CMRA series (Hallett Raceway) and because I changed bikes at the beginning of the season I’m starting from the back with no class points. I’ve been on a 1000 for last 3 years but wanted a change so I just picked up a Triumph 675. I love the way the bike handles and although slow compared to a liter bike its got decent speed and I like the torque. The one drawback is because it’s a British bike “hard parts” are very expensive. No worries, just don’t crash it, right

I ended up taking 2nd in the sprint race and was frustrated with my result. It was a great dice for the win and I didn’t come out on top unfortunately. I was a little bit angry on the cool down lap and decided to pull a frustration stand-up wheelie. I knew I had problems as soon as I dropped the clutch. I was in 3rd instead of 2nd but instead of accepting defeat I pulled up even harder on the bars. The anger I felt (which dulled my senses and judgment a bit) coupled with a headwind did me in. I then proceeded to loop the bike over backwards.

Unlike my bike I was not hurt. My Komodo leathers and race gloves protected me amazingly well considering how long I slid down the pavement. Most crashes are in a turn and you slide off the track very quickly. This one however was a on straight away and I was sliding with the direction of the track. You’ll notice the smoke coming off of my leathers. Thanks to Rene Vivion and Barry Nichols for the photos.

Mitch McGinnis

Mitch is a veteran racer who has been on “hiatus” for many years and is now back in the game racing an ’08 Honda CBR1000rr on the new Michelin, Power One, motorcycle racing tires.  Mitch is racing as a Novice this year, but is leading in the points in the Formula 40 class.  This is not an average class, it is actually a very competitive class as many of the riders are similar to Mitch in that they used to race and are now, “back in the game”.

Mitch hails from Oklahoma and runs a successful business as a commercial painter.  Mitch understands the dedication and discipline required to win and much of his success in racing is a reflection of Mitch, himself.  What’s also great to know about Mitch is that he brings his family with him to the racetrack including his son, Sean, and his girlfriend, Beverly.  They are always there to support Mitch and take time out to visit with the other riders and their families.  This is a big part of the culture at the CMRA (www.cmraracing.com) where you will meet many families who are dedicated to the sport and the success of the club.

Mitch is racing in the full “racing package” offered by Komodo.  His racing leathers are the highly acclaimed K-FX race suit and his racing gloves are the K-FX model,  as well.  Mitch also wears the highly proven FX racing boot and even our CE rated back protector and Motorcycle Undersuit to assist in riding comfort and safety.  All of these racing products work together as a system that allows Mitch to stay focused and be successful on the race track.  Mitch knows that racing success requires the best products and technology including your riding gear because your safety as a rider can not be compromised if you want to win.

Komodo Gear wants to take this opportunity to introduce Mitch to our followers so you can actually see real riders racing their hearts out.  It’s a great way to get an “inside feel” for club racing and how Komodo Gear integrates into the success of the riders and their racing careers.  We want to thank Mitch and his family for believing in Komodo and giving us the opportunity to support him in his “comeback” to the top!

A customer tells Komodo Gear what he thinks of is New Motorcycle Racing Leathers.

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For Immediate Release:

Ty Howard partners with Komodo Gear for 2010 Wearing The K-FX Racing Leathers.

Ty Howard is proud to announce Komodo Gear Leathers as one of his key sponsors for the 2010 racing season. Komodo Gear, makers of motorcycle leathers and racing apparel, will play a significant role in Ty Howard’s success this year. Ty Howard will be wearing the full lineup of racing apparel: K-FX racing leathers, K-FX race gloves and FX race boots for the 2010 season.

Ty Howard commented on how the deal finalized, “For years Komodo gear has proven to be the most protective and stylish gear on the market. I’m really excited about having Komodo join my KTM factory backed team for the 2010 racing season…” Komodo Gear and Ty Howard have been in close communications on product development to provide racers with what they need to be successful at the race track. Komodo Gear and Ty Howard will be keeping the public updated on their success via Facebook and Twitter accounts.

KOMODO——–

Komodo Gear would like to thank Ty Howard for the opportunity to partner with him this season. According to Wayne Wilder, Vice President of Sales, “Komodo Gear and Ty Howard have been working together as partners for a number of years; Ty and Komodo share the same vision for safety and performance; “we have worked closely with Ty for several seasons and are pleased to see our relationship grow”.

For 2010, Ty Howard will be racing in the CMRA race series and select AMA racing events.

For further Komodo Gear information, please logon to www.komodogear.com.

I came into this weekend knowing that the competition was going to be tuff. I had Kane Lasky, Brian Hall, Jimmy Woods, Jeff Sterns to deal with. In short…this wasn’t going to be a cake walk.

Saturday…I should have gone without. Rain showers peppered the track and as anyone knows….main in the wet is probably the most dangerous track in the US. Fred Merkel almost lost his life here and it ended his career. I wasn’t willing to do that or risk injury.

Sat practice was probably the worst for me. It ruined my confidence in the tower turn. In Sat practice I lost the front end over the paint strips at least 90% of the time…no crap! I finished the day the fastest…but with shaken confidence and was later feeling that if I had just skipped practice I would have given it a 110% on the exit of the tower turn on Sunday.

Saturday was a waste of $160 bucks and was worthless to us in our setup.

Jimmy Wood didn’t hand me my ass (as reported)…Kane Lasky did in the Unlimited GP. I had been running over and over in my head what I was going to do on the starts….the only thing that I didn’t calculate was Kane jumping and wheeling over into me on the start. This left just enough for Jimmy Woods and Brian Hall to take the lead….Hall 1st and Woods 2nd.

Unshaken by Kanes near miss….I backed out of the throttle and gathered myself only to have Kane a few bikes in front of me. I knew that if I went on the outside that I could go around him. That I did….I went on the outside of Kane in T1 and found myself in 5th position (we started 10th).

Brian Hall and Woods made short work of the gap in front of the slower riders that were gridded by points instead of qualifying. These guys were running 3 to 5 seconds off the fastest lap and filling every hole in the one line track of main.

Once around the other riders Hall had about 40 bike lengths lead on me with Woods another 20 in front of him. I knew that I was faster than both of them but the gap was huge. I put my head down and and thought of what Aaron Clark had told me once…”never give up”.

I was able to put down the lap times to put me within 6 bike lengths of Hall coming into T1. I had all weekend been going deeper and carrying more corner speed that anyone and decided on a outside line. Sure enough Brian let off and I was able to go on the outside of him and shut the door into T1.

Next ahead was Jimmy….

Both Woods and I made our fastest lap on lap 10 of 12. There was no doubt that Woods was putting in his best (I know that I was). I bested Woods on lap 10 by over a half of a second and posted a time of 1:05.4 and Woods did a best of 1:06. I closed the gap within 8 bike lengths by races end and placed 2nd in the Unlimited GP.

When I ended the race I was happy with my riding…but knew we had left some on the race bench. We were experiencing chatter when I trailed deep into the apex. I had literally hit a wall and since I had not run that fast this weekend due to rain had now idea on how the bike would react when pushed.

Second race came up and I knew that we had what it would take to beat Scott Jensens lap record of 1:05.1. We left so much on the table in T1 with the front end chatter and a few other turns that I knew that if we were able to set the frontend right that I could be in the 04′s. It just wasn’t to be…I went out and went slower. I may have won the race…but Jeff Stern ran a faster lap time. The tires had given me their best in the Unlimited GP race and had nothing left for me. I knew that when we went out on the warm up lap that it wasn’t to be. Touché Jeff! LOL

The above said…I cant thank enough Trey Schultz my Crewchief and friend. Without Trey….none of this would have been possible. I have said many times that we have been leaving speed on the bench and costing us valuable time on the track. We (Trey and myself) have navigated our way thru the setup with the Honda and on this weekend, on this bike and on Dunlop tires we were the fastest.

Both Trey and myself have grown a lot this year. We have been thru various stages together learning. Thru hard work, determination and just not giving a crap what all the other nay-sayer had to say…we have hit the next barrier.

And with all that said….”The Wrist is back” LOL

Thanks to Jim Cox….you are truly the best at Dunlop and have the best tires.

Thanks to Lee at Komodo Gear….the best race suit that a racer could ask for.

Thanks to Arai helmets….thanks for the best fit and the most air for me to breath.

Thanks to Galpher…the rotors and the pads are the best that I have ever experienced.

Thanks to HRC and Corona for the support, answering all my questions and being there for me when I needed parts. And I must say…”you meet the nicest people on Honda’s”.

Thanks to Lenny at Race Tech…not only a good friend, but a loyal supporter when most turned me out.

Thanks to Ken Hill…for the little things ya told me to work on…their working Wink

Thanks to Chris Ulrich for telling me that I am a pussy and need to go faster.

Thanks to Josh Hayes for helping me on my mid turn exit.

Thanks to David Anthony for the support and helping me out with numerous things on the track.

Thanks to Robin Schultz II…You were the biggest part of my year and the family will never forget you for as long as we live. Godspeed Robin…we love ya.

Thanks to CCS and John Jewett for having me back this year. John…ya truly made the come back worth it.

Thanks to everyone that came to the AMA rounds and sought me out just to say hello. Truly a wonderful feeling to know so many people from around the US.

And I also wanna give Dean the credit for the bitchen shot!!! Thanks!

For 2010, the NHRA has released it’s new safety guidelines that mandates all race bikes that exceed 120 mph in the 1/4 mile must have Kevlar gloves.

Komodo Gear has been manufacturign Kevlar based Racing  Gloves for several years now. In addition, these gloves sell for under $90 to your door and shipping is free.

Here are the details:
-Full floating Carbon tech knuckles have extra leather overlay
- Fingers have Carbon tech plates for extra abrasion protection
- Temper foam padding under floating knuckle
- Full cowhide chassis
- Schoeller Keprotec covers the palms and finger tips
- Double stitched in genuine DuPont Kevlar thread
- Dual enclosure for secure fit- Unlined palm for great feedback
- Gel padded palms covered in mil spec grade Kelar
- Full gauntlet is very roomy and covers the top sleeves of the race suit
- Inside of glove is lined with fleece for great comfort
- Pinky is reinforced with mil spec Kevlar and Carbon/Kevlar plate- Glove is very lightweight and very affordable

MORE PICS HERE:http://www.flickr.com/photos/44636254@N02/sets/72157622679464183/

Check out Komodo Gear to get yours!

http://www.komodogear.com/store/home.php

WFO!!! Komodo secures 2nd in class (A Superstock) in the CMRA Big Bike Endurance 2008.

The last race of the season was at one of the fastest tracks, Texas World Speedway. It’s a large track at 2.9 miles and has some very fast sections. It’s a track that welcomes a big bike and encourages the rider to go for it. Being the last race of the season, WFO!!! Komodo knew it was going to be an aggressive race; other teams would be fighting for overall standings and pride.  Otter was first in the leg for this 6 hour event and managed to get a great start.  Going into turn 1 Otter was clearly in the top 5, a great beginning for a long race. Otter managed to keep WFO!!! Komodo in the top 5 for the first hour. He was running a very quick pace (1:49), which is a couple of seconds faster than the last time he rode at Texas World.  In the first hour Otter was being challenged on the back straight by a couple of very fast expert riders making for some tense moments as they were elbow to elbow before diving into turn 1 at over 140 mph.  This is not the turn to fight for position as a crash here would definitely create carnage and major injury.  Back in the pits we were carefully watching Otter’s times and knew tire life would be a real concern at that pace.  Texas World is a fast, flowing track and it is hit and miss on tire wear.  When Otter completed his first hour and came back into the pit the left side of the rear tire was clearly stressed; we’d probably make it to hour three if we slowed our pace down. Otter said, “It’s fast out there! I knew I was going faster than usual, but the top teams are hauling ass today and I got into a battle with one of them for several laps.”  Strategy plays a role in these long races and tire life has be taken under consideration if you want to last the entire race.  Wayne knew he’d have to run conservative times and in hour two rode the bike at a more sedate pace averaging 1:55 – it was after all a 6 hour race with two riders.  WFO!!! Komodo had second place well cemented and were several hundred points ahead of third place.  At this pace, Wayne could ride comfortably and with confidence while keeping WFO!!! Komodo in the top 10 overall for the last race.Thirty minutes into the second hour of the race Wayne was in the carousel and while exiting the corner grabbed a handful of gas and in the process low-sided the GSXR 1000 on the ride side doing about 70 mph.  The GSXR 1000 slid off the track tumbling over a couple of times with Wayne following it and cart wheeling head over heels.  It made for a great crash, but when Wayne stopped and picked the bike up it was clear the damage had been done.  The rear brake lever was obliterated and the clip on’s were nicely bent at an awkward angle.  Thankfully, the bike started and Wayne was able to ride it back to the pits, but clearly, the race was over for WFO!!! Komodo.According to Wayne the bike was running very fast and turning in very quickly; faster than usual.  He thinks the colder temperature had an impact on the bike that day as the temperature was in the 70’s that morning.  Wayne admitted the crash was due to operator error as he typically is not a crasher.  “The bike felt great!  It was pulling hard and turning in quicker than usual.  My confidence was high and I just got on the gas earlier and in the process lost the front end”.  Thankfully, it happened in the carousel because if you’re going to crash at Texas World, that is probably the safest corner to do it.WFO!!! Komodo secured 2nd in A Superstock for the Big Bike Endurance at CMRA.  Since they missed the Hallett race completely due to an injury, they ended up 11th overall.  Finishing in the top 10 was always the goal and easily within reach, but to make it to the top 10 you must finish every race.For the 2009 season, WFO!!! Komodo has already secured its rider lineup, which will consist of Ottis “Otter” Lance, Wayne Wilder and Danny Kelsey.  The chemistry amongst all three is very good and with the addition of Danny to the team, the racer DNA is now complete and promises to bring excitement every race and success for next season.